BA Architecture with Foundation Year / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course description

Manchester School of Architecture is an innovative collaboration between The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University. The Foundation course provides you with an ideal transition between School and University or as part of a career change. The Foundation course will provide an accessible route to University-level study, help you develop design portfolios and provide insight into architecture as a career path.

You will benefit from the expertise of specialist practitioners and lecturers who provide you with a supportive environment to develop the fundamental skills needed to embark on a career in the field. The foundation programme will prepare you for undergraduate study in architecture at Manchester School of 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.You will be fully immersed into life at Manchester School of Architecture; working with fellow students when the opportunities arise and culminating your studies with a design studio project which relates to those undertaken by current students.

What's more, you'll be inspired by the world-famous city of Manchester - the industrial revolution birthplace turned 21st century metropolis - and its vibrant, contemporary and innovative architecture scene.

Manchester is a showcase for recent regeneration and historic context, much of which has been designed with the involvement of our current students and graduates.  

The city recognises the value of high-quality design, together with innovative and pragmatic approaches to resolving practical issues.

Special features

Benefit from the facilities of two universities

Architecture sits within the Manchester School of Architecture (MSA) - a unique collaboration between The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU). This allows you to use the workshops and studios, study spaces and students' unions across both campuses.

Develop the fundamental skills for undergraduate study in architecture

During your foundation course, you will gain an insight into the practice of architecture and enhance your personal and academic skills needed for undergraduate study in the field. Benefit from an ideal and accessible transition between school and university or a change in career, expert support in developing design portfolios and first-hand insights into architecture as a career path.

Join the UK's largest Architecture student society

Manchester Student Society of Architecture (MSSA) is the largest of its kind in the UK, giving you the opportunity to build valuable relationships with other architects, attend guest talks, and enjoy plenty of social activities throughout the year.

Additional course information

Please note that students successfully completing the course will be awarded a place on the Manchester School of Architecture BA (Hons) Architecture programme.

Teaching and learning

You will be introduced to learning at Higher Education through a series of supported activities and workshops. Project-based learning is the basis of architecture education, and the studio is where this learning takes place. From the very start you will be involved in a variety of projects which will enable you to understand and develop a design process. You will work alongside peers and develop projects through workshops, debate and discussion. Friendly tutors will support the development of visual and digital skills and provide regular feedback as well as providing discipline specific context. At the heart of the course is learning through hands on projects designed to develop your critical thinking and creativity. Invited guests from industry will also provide regular talks to increase your awareness of the wider profession.

Coursework and assessment

Assessments are designed to provide you with feedback on your progress in understanding the subject and in developing essential skills. All assessments are coursework based and there are no exams.

Course content for year 1

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.

Scholarships and bursaries

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 .

Course collaborators

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.

What our students say

Find out more about what it's like to study with us by reading our student profiles .

Facilities

On this Foundation course, you will be fully immersed into life at Manchester School of Architecture, working with fellow students when the opportunities arise and culminating your studies with a design studio project which relates to those undertaken by current students.

As such, you’ll benefit from The Manchester School of Architecture (MSA) studios located at Manchester Technology Centre.Our studios are equipped with PC workstations with industry standard computer-aided design, visualisation, image editing, and print and web design software. They also have standard and large format printing facilities and Wi-Fi. In addition, you will have access to specialist Apple Mac-based video editing, scanning, and digital design resources.

There are workshops for model-making and construction projects in Manchester Metropolitan University’s Benzie building and The University of Manchester's Humanities Bridgeford Street buildings.

We house an impressive range of fully equipped workshops for wood, plastics, foam, metal, ceramics, glass, Computer-aided manufacture, textiles, printmaking, and bookbinding.

You will be able to purchase art materials and consumables at cost prices from the Manchester School of Art's Material Stores. You can also borrow video and photography equipment from the AV Store, and access photography studios, film processing, and video editing facilities.

Manchester Metropolitan University has a nationally recognised art and design collection, and specialist collections include the Manchester Society of Architects' Library, which holds important and rare books on the history of architecture.

The Visual Resources Centre, meanwhile, covers a broad spectrum of subjects, including architecture, art and design, film, popular media and social history.

For more information, see see Facilities .

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk