BA Architecture

Architecture is a course offered by the innovative collaboration between two universities - The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University - forming the internationally renowned Manchester School of Architecture. You will become a student at both universities and your degree certificate will be endorsed by both institutions.

Manchester School of Architecture is characterised by excellence, ambition, boldness, inquisitiveness, innovation, social justice and responsibility. These facets generate a unique blend and balance between research led teaching, impressive and relevant research outputs, and extensive professional industry links, all of which encourage our students to cultivate their own unique approach to architecture and their careers thereafter.

The course is validated by the Royal Institute for British Architects (RIBA), which allows you to take the first step to becoming an architect.

You will benefit from the expertise of specialist practice and research active lecturers, who provide a rich and stimulating environment in which to study architecture.

What's more, you will 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.

Benefit from the facilities and expertise of two universities

Manchester School of Architecture is a unique collaboration between the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University. You will benefit from facilities and resources across the two universities - having access to libraries, workshops, and materials stores on both campuses.

You are also able to join societies and sports at both universities and benefit from two unions.

Experience local fieldtrips

Gain a real-world understanding of your subject normally through local fieldwork.

Gain Accreditation

By completing the course, you will gain the RIBA Part 1 professional qualification, contributing to you becoming a fully qualified architect.

Many graduates return to study our postgraduate Master of Architecture course, recognised as a new academic qualification by ARB and a Part 2 qualification by the RIBA.

The course is also validated by the Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (Board of Architects Malaysia), meaning that if you wish to practice as an architect in Malaysia on completion of this course, you will be exempt from the professional LAM Part I examinations.

Join the UK's largest Architecture student society

Manchester Student Society of Architecture is the largest of its kind in the UK and enhances your experience of the school, giving you the opportunity to build valuable relationships with students in other years. Activities range from the creative - such as photography competitions, life drawing, talks and debates - to those promoting wellbeing including peer support and socials.

Additional Experiences

We are proud of the extra activities on offer to all students. We welcome international guest architects, run workshops, offer extra tutorials and digital design sessions as well as help prepare you for the future with our networking events, CV workshops and employability sessions.

Manchester Society of Architects in very active in the city. They hold events and awards, and attend our graduation show preview night where many students secure job interviews. This ensures students graduate with an impressive array of knowledge, skills and strong industry connections.

Our degree is designed to foster critical thinkers and engaged citizens. You will find yourself in an exciting environment that will nurture your ambitions, equip you with a broad range of skills, and empower you with the necessary knowledge to face the present and future challenges in the field of architecture and built environment.

We combine traditional lecture-based teaching with workshop and design studio sessions. Project based learning is the basis of architecture education, and the studio is where this learning takes place.

The course has strong links with architectural practices across the North West and involves architectural practitioners in teaching.

Important notice: factors affecting fieldwork and placements

The School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED) recognises the value of fieldwork and placements. However, the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remains our priority.

Manchester School of Architecture will assess on a regular basis the viability of any travel and fieldwork and communicate any significant changes to our students at the earliest possible opportunity.

The role of SEED

We will do our best to deliver fieldwork and placements in line with the original programme information given. However, it might become necessary for us to make changes - for example, due to:

• changes to the rules and guidance on travel and activities implemented and published by the UK and overseas governments
• a risk assessment conducted by or on behalf of the University identifying unmanageable risk
• changes that enhance the educational value and student experience of the activity
• changes to the situation of a placement provider (for example, which cause them to be unable to accept students)
• the unavailability of appropriate insurance cover
• the unavailability of appropriate travel and accommodation and any significant changes to their financial costs

We will always seek to limit changes to those which are identified as being necessary.

Where the proposed activity cannot proceed, we will do our best to offer a suitable alternative and ensure that the intended learning outcomes of the Programme are met.

• Where fieldwork and placements are a compulsory element of the Programme, they will be replaced with something academically similar.
• Where a trip or placement is not a compulsory element of the Programme, it may not be replaced.

We will consult with affected students at the earliest possible opportunity and explore the options available to them.

The duty of students

Preparation, attendance and conduct

Attendance at preparatory classes is a compulsory pre-requisite of the fieldwork and placements to ensure safety and learning outcomes are met.

Students who do not attend the compulsory preparatory classes may be prevented from participating in the fieldwork or placement. It is the duty of students to discuss any attendance issues with the field course or placement convenor.

Students are representatives of the university during their fieldwork or placement. Behaviour deemed by the convenor to be unacceptable may result in students being sent home.

Where a student is unable to attend or complete the fieldwork or placement (e.g. due to mitigating circumstances), is prevented from attending due to absence from compulsory preparatory classes, or returned home due to poor conduct:

• a suitable alternative assessment will be offered (as appropriate) to ensure that the programme ILOs are met, and that the student is not academically disadvantaged; and
• the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.

Immigration, passport and visa requirements

It is the responsibility of the individual student to ensure they have:

• a valid passport to enter the destination country (including sufficient months prior to expiry); and
• a valid visa (where required) and comply with its requirements.

The school cannot guarantee that visas required for fieldwork or a placement will be granted by the relevant authority. Please note that countries may change their immigration and visa regulations at short notice.

Where a student is unable to attend fieldwork or a placement because they do not have the required visa or passport:

• a suitable alternative assessment will be offered to ensure that the programme ILOs are met, and that the student is not academically disadvantaged; and
• the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.

During the course, you will engage in collaborative projects, group work activities and give presentations to your peers/tutors.

Some or all of this work may be formally assessed, depending on the course you are studying.

All assessments are based on coursework, there are no exams.

As a professionally accredited course all modules must be passed.

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

The Manchester School of Architecture (MSA) studios are in Manchester Metropolitan University's purpose-built School of Art Building - the Benzie Building.

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 both the Benzie 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 Facilities