BA Architecture with Foundation Year / Application and selection

Year of entry: 2024

How to apply

Apply through UCAS .As well as having the required grades, you must have attended a UK state school/college and meet at least one of the following personal background criteria:
  • You will be under 21 years old when you begin your course and you live in an area where people are less likely to go to university - check your postcode
  • You will be under 21 years old when you begin your course and you have spent more than three months in public care or as a looked-after child.
  • You will be over 21 years old when you begin your course and have not been in full time education for at least three years.
  • You will be under 21 years old when you begin your course and you are the first generation in your family to enter higher education. (This means none of your parents step-parents, or guardians have any higher education qualifications such as a degree, diploma or certificate of higher education. Please note that in order to be considered under this criteria, you must declare your parental education information on the UCAS form or in the personal statement).
  • You have refugee status from the Home Office.

Applicants should not apply for both the BA (Hons) Architecture course (K100) and the BA Architecture with Foundation Year.  If you are predicted or have achieved the grades required for the BA (Hons) Architecture course (K100) it is recommended that you apply for this course.

On assessment of your application, if we are unable to offer you a place on the BA (Hons) Architecture course (K100) course, and you meet the entry and widening participation requirements for the foundation course, your application will automatically be cascaded for consideration for a place on the foundation year. It is therefore not recommended that you apply for both Architecture courses. The Foundation Year is part of the Manchester Metropolitan and The University of Manchester's commitment to widening participation in higher education.We welcome applicants with alternative qualifications or experience - please contact us to discuss your situation.

How your application is considered

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
Task 2: Written Statement
  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)
You will be notified of the deadline to submit the portfolio of images and the statement once your initial UCAS application has been considered.

Interview requirements

None

Overseas (non-UK) applicants

Not open to International Students.

Portfolio requirements

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
Task 2: Written Statement
  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)