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Gain the skills and understanding to lead the development of architecture, challenge the status quo, and thrive in ever changing contexts.
Acknowledging the rapidly changing social and professional contexts in which it is situated, the Master of Architecture is a distinctly future oriented course. It provides rigorous understanding of contemporary professional architecture practice; 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. Our graduates are capable and eager to define their own career path, equipped with capabilities to lead the development of the discipline, challenge the status quo, and to thrive in ever changing contexts.
Manchester School of Architecture is a unique partnership between the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University. The course...
2 years full-time
The MArch is your final stage of formal academic architecture education leading towards professional registration as an architect. It is a professionally recognised award (prescribed by the Architects Registration Board and validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects) and developed for students who have, typically, one year in practice.
The studio element of the course is delivered through research-driven, outwardly focussed clusters called ateliers that align strong areas of research activity and mutual interests of groups of staff. This will enable you to develop ideological positions that are critically underpinned by seminars, workshops and symposiums.
The first year of study will enable you to locate yourself within a broad range of perspectives in relation to contemporary architecture and urbanism. The studio modules are deliberately professionally directed with developed discussions about custom and use, structures and materials, principles, and regulations.
These modules are supported by a professional focussed module that locates the programme and student learning journey. The Architect in Collaboration, and Architect as Research modules provide highly innovative methods of enquiry into the scope and potential of the discipline.
The second year will build upon this knowledge and developing skillset to orientate you towards a suitable role within the vast parameters of the profession. The studio modules are consciously loose, so you, the prospective architect have the opportunity to pursue your own interests and develop your own trajectory. These are supported by the enquiry based Dissertation module.
Study tours and international collaborations with other leading schools and organisations take place each year.
All students will be required to make a number of different submissions, including detailed examinations of building proposals, dissertation, annotated reports, methods exploration and a design thesis.
Whether you've already made your decision about what you want to study, or you're just considering whether postgraduate study is right for you, there are lots of ways you can meet us and find out more about postgraduate student life at Manchester Met.
We offer:
Your studies are supported by a department of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field.
We often link up with external professionals too, helping to enhance your learning and build valuable connections to the working world.
These typical entry requirements may be subject to change for the 2025/26 academic year. Please check back for further details.
You will normally have at least an upper second-class undergraduate UK honours degree (or international equivalent) in architecture from a RIBA School. Admission will normally be dependent on a successful application and possibly an interview.
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. We also require a concise letter of intent and two references, one from an academic from your previous institution, the other a reference from your current employer.
Overseas applicants will require IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 with no less than 6.5 in any category, or an equivalent accepted English qualification.
As stated above, you would normally have an upper second-class undergraduate UK honours degree, however applicants with significant practice experience will also be considered.
Equivalent EU/international qualifications are also accepted. Applicants who do not meet these criteria will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Other professional qualifications or degree disciplines will be considered on merit and/or with relevant professional experience.
Application requirements are subject to PSRB requirements.
See How to Apply for details.
Accepted English qualifications can be viewed here.
Full-time fee: £9,250 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
Part-time fee: £2,312.50 per 30 credits. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
Full-time fee: £31,500 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
Part-time fee: £7,875 per 30 credits. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
A Master of Architecture qualification typically comprises 240 credits (120 credits for Year 1 and 120 credits for Year 2), a PGDip 120 credits, a PGCert 60 credits. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of study provided the course is completed in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
Compulsory estimate: £1,700
Optional estimate: £2,000
It is advised that students own a laptop for collating and developing written and visual research, for producing written submissions and presentations, and to facilitate flexible independent working. Subject specific CAD (Computer Aided Design) software is also required.
Specialist software and IT equipment is available on campus in both the School of Architecture and Manchester Metropolitan University Library and is accessible remotely via our remote access systems when the buildings are closed. There are also laptops available on short term loan within the department, within the Arts & Humanities Faculty and a large number available from All Saints Library to loan.
Although the units are the same for all the students, it is expected that they develop an individualised programme of study in relation to their interests, with practical investigations and developments supported by extensive machine and digital workshops, which have facilities and tools necessary for making and prototyping. General use of workshop facilities is not charged for.
Materials are provided for machine and process inductions, however, further materials used when developing individual project work are not provided but are available for purchase at cost from workshop stores.
Workshop and material costs are therefore variable and dependent on personal project ambitions connected directly to the size of the chosen site and the level of detail that students are exploring.
Student submissions are digital but there may be occasions where print is more suitable, especially for reviews with industry professionals.
Optional estimate: £1,000
Students will normally make several visits to their chosen project site, this may be in the immediate vicinity of the university, but it may be further away. Students may be given the opportunity to engage with a national and/or international precedent study visit.
There may be travel costs involved in pursuing personal lines of research, and students are encouraged to visit professional design events to inform their personal practice. As such, costs will be dependent on the level and scope of each student’s research activity.
There are no professional membership feeds required for MArch Qualification. Students can choose to become a student member of the RIBA. It is free.
Compulsory estimate: £20
Optional estimate: £100
Students will probably need to support their Events Programme. Students may choose to buy books, although the library is excellent.
Most graduates work as architects in private practice, though others work for local authorities, government organisations, commercial companies or contracting organisations, or for research agencies. Some graduates undertake research for higher degrees. Opportunities may also exist to work in Europe or overseas.
Please contact our course enquiries team.
Please read the How to Apply section on the Manchester School of Architecture website before submitting your application.
Get advice and support on making a successful application.
You can review our current terms and conditions before you make your application. If you are successful with your application, we will send you up to date information alongside your offer letter.
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. For further information on when we
may make changes to our programmes, please see the changes section of our
terms and conditions.
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. Please check back to the
online prospectus before making an application to us to access the most
up to date information for your chosen course of study.
Confirmation of regulator
The Manchester Metropolitan University is regulated by the Office for
Students (OfS). The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education
in England. More information on the role of the OfS and its regulatory
framework can be found at
officeforstudents.org.uk.
All higher education providers registered with the OfS must have a student protection plan in place. The student protection plan sets out what students can expect to happen should a course, campus, or institution close. Access our current student protection plan.