History and Critical Thinking in Architecture Architectural Association

Overview

The MA in History and Critical Thinking in Architecture (HCT) at the Architectural Association offers a unique postgraduate platform designed to bridge contemporary architectural issues with systematic historical inquiry. This programme is deeply rooted in the understanding that the writing of history is not merely an academic exercise but a political engagement with the social, cultural, material, and environmental challenges of our time. The ambition of the HCT programme is threefold: to equip students with conceptual tools to investigate the intricate social, political, economic, and institutional frameworks that shape architectural histories; to foster an understanding of contemporary discourses and material organisations from a critical, historical, and transnational perspective; and to illuminate the interconnectedness of architecture with various spatial practices and alternative forms of knowledge production.

Through a diverse array of lectures, seminars, open debates, group readings, archive visits, and writing workshops, students are encouraged to critically engage with historiography, language, translation, and pressing social and environmental issues. This multifaceted approach enables students to acquire the resources and skills needed to navigate recent scholarship and advance architectural thinking and practice. The programme treats established architectural histories as valuable sites for investigation while supporting students in discovering and amplifying marginalised voices and innovative modes of thought.

Writing is a fundamental component of the HCT programme, regarded as both a pedagogical project and a means of articulating complex ideas effectively. Students explore various writing styles alongside other communicative forms such as drawings, photography, film, and literature. They are encouraged to adopt and adapt elements from diverse disciplines while maintaining their unique voice in their writing.

Graduates of the HCT programme emerge with a robust historical and theoretical foundation, enabling them to pursue doctoral studies or develop careers in fields such as curation, journalism, and academia. The programme's structure spans 12 months, during which students complete six courses in the first two terms, followed by a Thesis Research Seminar and the production of a written thesis in the final two terms. Language and critical writing are central to all courses, which cover topics such as historiography, archival practices, and the interplay of social, territorial, and environmental concerns.

In the first term, students engage with courses like "Writing History," which interrogates the historiography of architectural modernism, and "Unpacking the Archive," which examines the role of archives in knowledge production. The second term includes "Writing Architecture: Intertwined Practices," focusing on the evolution of architectural knowledge, and "Architecture Agents and Economies," which addresses the discipline's response to contemporary challenges.

The programme culminates in a significant thesis project, supported by a Thesis Research Seminar that guides students in refining their research topics and arguments. In the final term, students independently develop and present their 15,000-word thesis, receiving feedback and support throughout the process.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

The tuition fee for the MA in History and Critical Thinking in Architecture is £30,840 for both domestic and international students. This fee is uniform across all nationalities and encompasses the Student Forum and AA Membership Fees. Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.