BA Architecture with Foundation Year

Cambridge Level 3 Technical Extended Diploma (CTEC)

We consider the Technical Extended Diploma for entry provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course.

Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Extended Diploma with grades DDD.

Cambridge Level 3 Technical Diploma (CTEC)

We consider the Technical Diploma for entry provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course.

Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Diploma with grades DD, plus an additional level 3 qualification such as an A-level at grade B.

Cambridge Level 3 Technical Foundation Diploma (CTEC)

We consider the Technical Foundation Diploma for entry provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course.

Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Foundation Diploma with grades DD, plus additional level 3 qualifications such as A-level at grades BB.

Cambridge Level 3 Technical Extended Certificate (CTEC)

We consider the Technical Extended Certificate for entry provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Extended Certificate with grade D, plus additional Level 3 qualifications such as A-levels at grades BB.

Other

The University of Manchester welcomes applications from students who have achieved legacy CTEC qualifications (pre-2016) such as the CTEC Extended Diploma, CTEC Diploma, CTEC Subsidiary Diploma, and CTEC Certificate.  The grades required are likely to be the same or vary similar to the new CTEC qualifications (first teaching 2016, awarded 2018). Please contact the Academic School for clarification.

If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) you plan to apply to.

We require a QAA-recognised Access to HE Diploma (a minimum of 60 credits overall with at least 45 at Level 3), with merit in either a Humanities based subject or Construction/Engineering.

The specific course requirements are 60 credits are required with 45 at level 3 and 30 credits at Distinction and the remaining 15 credits at merit grade. We also consider other factors such as other educational achievements, life experience and skills on an individual basis.

We consider applicants offering Pre-U Principal Subjects, or a mix of Pre-U and A Level subjects, provided a minimum of three distinct subjects overall is taken.

Candidates taking Pre-U principal subjects are expected to achieve M1, M1, M2.

Candidates taking Pre-U principal subjects in conjunction with A-levels are expected to achieve a combination of M2 in the Pre-U certificates and grades BB at A-level in three distinct subjects.

The University recognises the value of Level 3 Core Mathematics qualifications. Core Mathematics is not a compulsory element of post-16 study and as a result we will not normally include it in the conditions of any offer we make. However, if a student chooses to undertake a core mathematics qualification this may be taken into account when we consider a student's application, particularly for courses with a distinct mathematical or statistical element that does not require A Level Mathematics. Academic Schools may also choose to take a student's performance in Core Mathematics into account should places be available in August for applicants who narrowly miss the entry grades for their chosen course.

Where a course requires applicants to have at least grade 6/B or higher in GCSE Mathematics we would be likely to consider a pass in Core Mathematics at a minimum grade C or B as an alternative way to fulfil this requirement. Where an A Level in Mathematics is required then Core Mathematics will not be accepted in lieu of an A Level.

A Level and GCSE Mathematics requirements for our courses vary according to subject so we advise students to contact the academic School, who will clarify whether a student's portfolio of qualifications is acceptable for entry onto the chosen course.

All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either:

• GCSE/iGCSE English Language grade C/4.
• IELTS 6.0 overall, with no other sub-section below 6.0.
• An acceptable equivalent qualification

The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student from outside the UK and the EU must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language in order to be granted a UK visa (Tier 4 visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. This level is often referred to as the 'B2 level'. Additionally, our individual Schools may ask for specific English Language proficiency levels that are necessary for their academic programmes. In most cases these requirements are likely to be higher than the B2 level.

After an initial assessment of your UCAS application form, you will be emailed a brief on how to create a digital portfolio and the required elements. There are two parts to submit. However, here you can find some advice to make sure you feel prepared in making this.

Task 1: Visual Portfolio

Using your own artworks, tell us what is interesting and distinctive about your home and neighbourhood.

Through this visual portfolio you can share with us the characteristics of the place in which you live.

You might represent your neighbourhood through images of buildings, streets, parks and people.

We want to understand how you see the place.

We would like to see up to nine individual artworks. Everything you include must have been created by you.

You are free to use any kind of materials and style you choose. We want you to be as creative as possible to show us variety. This could include:

• Drawings
• Collages
• Ceramics
• Sketches
• Sculpture
• Photographs
• Watercolours
• Animation
• Pastels
• Graphics
• Videos
• Illustrations
• Models
• Paintings

1. Describe your home and neighbourhood. Tell us why you have represented the place you live in the ways you have? (300 words maximum)
2. Why do you want to study at the Manchester School of Architecture? (150 words maximum)
3. Name a favourite architect and tell us what you like about their work? (150 words maximum)

Once your initial application has been assessed, our admissions teams will email you instructions on how to send us a digital portfolio for consideration. Here are the requirements:

Task 1: Visual Portfolio

Using your own artworks, tell us what is interesting and distinctive about your home and neighbourhood.Through this visual portfolio you can share with us the characteristics of the place in which you live.

You might represent your neighbourhood through images of buildings, streets, parks and people.

We want to understand how you see the place.

We would like to see up to nine individual artworks. Everything you include must have been created by you.You are free to use any kind of materials and style you choose. We want you to be as creative as possible to show us variety. This could include:

• Drawings
• Collages
• Ceramics
• Sketches
• Sculpture
• Photographs
• Watercolours
• Animation
• Pastels
• Graphics
• Videos
• Illustrations
• Models
• Paintings

1. Describe your home and neighbourhood. Tell us why you have represented the place you live in the ways you have? (300 words maximum)
2. Why do you want to study at the Manchester School of Architecture? (150 words maximum)
3. Name a favourite architect and tell us what you like about their work? (150 words maximum)

Focussing on the fundamental skills needed to embark on a career in the field, the foundation programme will prepare you for undergraduate study in Architecture. We will help you develop your personal and academic skills, expose you to various communication and presentation techniques, show you how to understand and analyse project briefs and conceptualise design solutions, as well as giving you an insight into the practice of architecture. The programme culminates in an architectural design studio project providing excellent preparation for learning at degree level.

Personal and Professional Development

• Learn about the importance of research and writing on an architecture degree, focussing on research methods, essay writing and referencing.
• Develop a range of soft skills needed for architecture study, including time management, building confidence and taking personal responsibility. 
• Expand your academic language skills, study skills and cultural awareness required to succeed in UK Higher Education in a supportive environment.

Communication and Presentation Techniques

• Explore the practical skills and techniques needed for architecture study, including hand drawing, mark making, the use of diagrams, perspective drawing, exploration of various mediums and techniques, physical modelmaking, as well as basic CAD and digital skills.
• Develop your verbal presentation skills.

Analytical and Conceptual Techniques

• Gain an understanding for design processes.
• Learn to understand and analyse societal and client/project specific problems to then conceptualise design solutions.

Architectural Design Studio

• Develop a project brief into a final architectural design proposal presentation and put your newly acquired skills into practice.
• This design studio project will provide the ideal preparation for typical Studio learning.

Home fees paying students on the Foundation course will receive a one-off £1000 bursary to support course costs. This is managed by MMU.

As part of our ongoing commitment to widening participation, the Manchester School of Architecture (MSA) also offers a Student Financial Support Package amounting to £750 for those with a household income of £25,000 or less as a contribution to aid you with some of the costs of getting started at university. This is managed by MMU, see further information here .

Additionally, you might be eligible for further scholarships offered by the University of Manchester. For more information, please see our undergraduate finance pages .

As a student at Manchester School of Architecture (MSA), you will study a degree that is delivered jointly by The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University.

You will, therefore, benefit from the facilities and resources of both institutions such as libraries, computer suites, making and media workshops, and much more.