Program Overview

MArch Master of Architecture

The Master of Architecture is a distinctly future-oriented course that provides rigorous understanding of contemporary professional architecture practice. It encourages students to combine this with their individual life-wide learning and experiences and supports them in developing skills of future literacy, to become autonomous agents of positive change.

Course Overview

The course is delivered jointly by The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University, leveraging the research and technical pedigrees of these two institutions to provide an unrivaled breadth and depth of world-leading specialist academic, professional, technical, and teaching expertise.

Features and Benefits

• As a Master of Architecture student at Manchester School of Architecture, you will study a degree that is delivered jointly by The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University.
• Consistently ranked as one of the best schools of Architecture in the UK.
• Engaged and responsive design teaching, working with expert, research-active academic staff and leading design professionals.

Year 1

FULL TIME YEAR 1 (120 CREDITS)

Core Modules

• Architect As Researcher: This module enhances your awareness of the broader context in which architects work. It positions architecture as contested practices, which extend to address intersections between economy, society, politics, history, culture, media, environment, and more.
• Architect in Collaboration: You will take part in ‘live’ projects to identify, develop and demonstrate the application of participatory design methods and collaborative practice.
• Architect in Practice: This module expands your understanding of the professional requirements of the discipline, while requiring you to critically assess, question, and challenge them where appropriate.
• Architect in Studio: Resolution: Within the design studio setting, this module presents you with a complex building design project corresponding to what is probable to be encountered in current and emergent architectural practice, and in response to the climate emergency.
• Architect in Studio: Strategy: Within the design studio setting, this module presents you with a complex building design project corresponding to what is probable to be encountered in current and emergent architectural practice, and in response to the climate emergency.

Year 2

FULL TIME YEAR 2 (120 CREDITS)

Core Modules

• Atelier Innovation: Within the design studio setting, you are required to produce and undertake original and innovative creation of impactful and effective spatial proposals that are tailored to address your thesis statement in the appropriate scale, location, and context.
• Atelier Exploration: Within the design studio setting, this module requires you to formulate a personal thesis statement towards challenging a changing discipline.
• Dissertation: The dissertation module requires you to explore a well-defined architectural research topic, based on your own academic interests.

Study and Assessment

• Full-time: 25% lectures, seminars or similar; 0% placement; 75% independent study
• Full-time: 100% coursework; 0% practical; 0% examination

Additional Information

• ARB Prescription: The process leading to the title 'architect in the UK is defined in 3 parts ‐ normally two university degrees (Parts 1 and 2) and a further award focussed on professional practice (Part 3).
• Alternative Route Entry: The Manchester School of Architecture (MSA) acknowledges that students can excel at different stages of their educational journey.

Entry Requirements

• You will normally have at least an upper second class undergraduate UK honours degree in architecture from a RIBA School.
• You will also need to have completed at least six months work in an architectural practice or a related built environment design field.
• A portfolio of work should be submitted with your application.
• Admission will normally be dependent on a successful application and possibly an interview.

Fees and Funding

• UK and Channel Island students: Full-time fee: £9,535 for the 2025/26 academic year
• EU and Non-EU international students: Full-time fee: £31,500 per year
• Additional costs: Specialist costs, placement costs, professional costs, and other costs

Careers Support and Prospects

• 93.7% of our UK-domiciled, full-time, postgraduate taught graduates are employed or in further study 15 months after graduation.
• Through our Careers Service, you will be supported and encouraged to get ready for what comes next - whether that’s continuing your studies or pursuing your work ambitions.

Related Courses

• MA Architecture and Urbanism
• MLA Master of Landscape Architecture
• MA Architecture and Adaptive Reuse

Disclaimers

• Programme review: Our programmes undergo an annual review and major review (normally at 6 year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the latest online learning technology.
• Important notice: This online prospectus provides an overview of our programmes of study and the University. We regularly update our online prospectus so that our published course information is accurate.