Why study art and design?

There are few better settings for exploring and achieving your creative ambitions than Manchester School of Art – one of the country’s biggest and oldest art schools.

Our environment and ethos have both been developed to foster collaboration across the diverse range of disciplines we are home to. So while you’ll develop the skills and techniques of your chosen field, you’ll also have the chance to work with others around you, learning from them and exploring how different specialisms can collaborate and interact.

Along the way, you’ll have the guidance of practising artists and technical experts, offering their experience and the ability to help you realise your creative visions.

Why Manchester-Met?

Rich History

Founded in 1838 to meet the demands of the evolving textile industry and its expanding global trade, our institution stands as one of the country's oldest art schools and the oldest design school in Britain, proving our long-standing commitment to art education.

Industry Standard Facilities

Our RIBA award-winning Lowry building provides an ambitious inter-connected art and design complex. It features a vertical gallery, hybrid studio spaces and a multitude of workshops that include ceramics, jewellery design, bookbinding, traditional and digital printing, and more.

Build Your Network

Collaboration is at the heart of what we do, so we have an array of open spaces, not only for you to explore on your own, but to watch, listen and learn from those working in other disciplines. You’ll connect with the industry, either through visiting guest speakers, work experience or live briefs to enrich your learning and develop your employability skills.

Placement Opportunities

Across our art and design courses we have opportunities for you to visit international exhibitions and access international study programmes, offering you a comprehensive and enriching education.

Successful Alumni

During our history, we have seen many of our graduates go on to be nationally and internationally renowned artists, designers, filmmakers or photographers. Graduates include Sarah Burton OBE, L.S. Lowry, Sylvia Pankhurst, Julie Walters, Steve Coogan, and many more.