Critical Subjects is a unique opportunity for 20 or so of the keenest students in the country to engage in a series of intellectual architectural design challenges facilitated by leading names in the field.

To qualify to attend the winter school you must be a First Year undergraduate (as of May 2010)* in architecture, design, urbanism or a related subject.

The Winter School is a full day of workshops, debates and tutorials that will promote innovative and critical thinking. Successful entrants will have rare access to some of the leading commentators and practitioners in architecture and design who will lead discussions of key subjects, texts and films.    

Your place at the Winter School will depend on your critical talents gaining recognition by an acclaimed international jury, and the winning entrants� films will be displayed prominently online and in a public exhibition.  

For those attending on the day, there will be the opportunity to present your work to an eminent, international panel of leading architectural commentators, academics and practitioners who will review students� projects on the morning of the second day.

Students will be encouraged to develop their skills not only in design but in how to defend - rather than justify - their work. You will reach the end of the school having acquired skills in using the armoury of argumentative styles and ideas.

At the end of the school prizes** will be presented to two winners of the studio design competition.

* Second Year undergraduate at the time of the Winter School

**Blueprint will provide a year's free subscription and will commission the winner to visit and review an example of contemporary European architecture