BA Architecture

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• Architecture

AAA

Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offer you will receive.

Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels.

Please check for specific GCSE/IGCSE subject entry requirements below

ABB

Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offer you will receive.

Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels.

Please check for specific GCSE/IGCSE subject entry requirements below

Contextual offers are available for applicants who:

• live in the UK and will be under the age of 21 on 1 September of the year they will start their course; and
• live in an area of disadvantage or with low progression into higher education; and
• have attended a UK school or college for their GCSEs or A-levels (or equivalent qualifications) that has performed below the national average over multiple years.

See our contextual admissions page for full details and to check your eligibility.

ABB

Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offer you will receive.

Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels.

Please check for specific GCSE/IGCSE subject entry requirements below

UK refugee/care-experienced offers are available for applicants who:

• have been looked after in care for more than three months; or
• have been granted refugee status by the UK government or have been issued a UK visa under one of the Ukrainian schemes (Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Family Scheme or Ukraine Extension Scheme).

See our contextual admissions page for full details and to check your eligibility.

36 points overall. 6,6,6 in Higher Level subjects

Applicants studying the International Baccalaureate Career Related Programme (IBCP) should contact the admissions team prior to applying so that their academic profile can be considered.

Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade 4 or C in GCSE/IGCSE English Language and Mathematics. GCSE/IGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/IGCSE English Language.

Please note that if you hold English as a second language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of  our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications  or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the admissions team in your academic School/Department for clarification.

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, or;

IELTS 6.5 overall, with 6.5 in writing and no other sub-section below 6.0, or;

An acceptable equivalent qualification.

Please note that if you hold English as a second language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of  our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications  or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the academic School for clarification.

If you need to improve your English language skills to meet the entry requirements for your academic course, the University Centre for Academic English (UCAE) summer pre-sessional courses can help. Check if your academic course offers the option of taking a pre-sessional course on the UCAE page .

The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student requiring a visa to study in the UK must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language (common European Framework (CEFR B2 level) to be granted a Student Route visa (previously known as a Tier 4 visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level.

In addition, our academic Schools/Departments may require applicants to demonstrate English proficiency above the B2 level. Further information about our English Language policy, including a list of some of the English Language qualifications we accept, can be found  here .

Fees for entry in 2026 have not yet been set. For entry in 2025 the tuition fees were £9,535 p/a collected by MMU for home students, and are expected to increase slightly for 2026 entry.

Specialist costs

• Compulsory estimate: £2,400
• Optional estimate: £1,400

Included in this section are course materials, software, digital SLR camera, laptop, model making expenses, printing 3D printing.

None of these modes of production are compulsory, and the manner in which items are acquired can result in significant savings, e.g. the re-use and recycling of available materials in the production of models.

There is some requirement to print, but most submissions are digital. All materials, printing (2D, 3D), laser cutting etc. are charged at cost within the institution.

The one off acquisition of a camera and laptop for the duration of the course is spread evenly across the three years.

It is possible to work on university machines and to hire cameras, thus alleviating the costs incurred on some of these items.

Placement costs

• Compulsory estimate: £600
• Optional estimate: £1,500

Each BA year has a 5 day optional study trip abroad. An equivalent trip to a city in the UK is designed for those unable to travel for any reason.

One might expect the UK trip to attract between £100-200 of expenditure on travel, food and accommodation.

The anticipated annual cost of a foreign study trip is in the area of £400-500 inclusive of travel, accommodation and subsistence.

The figures shown here highlight the upper end of expenditure on each of these options and should viewed as separate sums and not conflated to a greater total.

Other costs

• Compulsory estimate: £600

Students may wish to acquire good outdoor clothing, boots and other forms of protective equipment.

Measuring devices, such as large tapes etc. could also be a useful part of an architecture students toolkit.

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

As part of our ongoing commitment to widening participation, the Manchester School of Architecture (MSA) guarantees a £500 cash bursary to aspiring undergraduate students eligible for a reduced-grade contextual offer who register on BA Architecture.

This bursary is designed as a contribution to aid students with some of the costs of getting started at university, such as textbooks and travel expenses.

Mature students are some of our most well-equipped learners, bringing skills and attributes gained from work, family and other life experiences.  Students come from a whole array of backgrounds, study every kind of course, undertake full-time and part-time learning and are motivated by career intentions as well as personal interest.  There is no such thing as a typical mature student at Manchester.

The application process is the same as for other prospective undergraduates.  If you require further clarification about the acceptability of the qualifications you hold please contact the academic School(s) you plan to apply to.  Further information for mature students can be found here ( http://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/mature-students/ )

Return-to-learn students are those who have had a substantial period away from any formal learning. Often such learners have pursued careers or raised a family.

We understand that students come from many different backgrounds, with varying qualifications, careers and skills, but they often bring to their studies a high degree of motivation and experience.

We recognise that standard selection measures and procedures may not enable these learners to demonstrate fully their suitability for their chosen course.

Where appropriate, admissions officers will seek and consider alternative evidence in order to give such learners equivalent consideration. Where they deem this alternative evidence meets entry criteria fully, the learner will not be required to meet the standard academic entry requirements.

In your new application, you should demonstrate how your application has improved. We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.

If you are applying for a place for the same year of entry through UCAS Extra, you should provide additional evidence of your suitability for the course.

If you are applying through clearing, you are required to meet the clearing requirements. In both UCAS Extra and clearing the places will be subject to availability.

As BA Architecture is a design-oriented course, most candidates will be asked to submit a portfolio.

After an initial assessment of the UCAS application form, we will email suitable candidates to request a digital portfolio, via a blog, with a deadline of approximately three weeks from receipt of the email. You will be provided with a brief on how to create the digital portfolio and the required portfolio elements.

You will be asked to write a statement of no more than 450 words, which includes:

• your reasons for wanting to study at the Manchester School of Architecture (MSA);
• your own review of a recent exhibition or building that you have visited;
• a statement about your favourite architect or building;
• a work of architecture that you would like to experience in person.

You will also need to provide 10-12 images of your own artwork. This might include examples of fine art/painting, sketches, measured drawings, graphic design, or photographs of artefacts that you have created. To demonstrate you have the skills required you will need to, where possible, include images that show:

• proficiency in drawing;
• creativity;
• your ability to use a diverse range of media;
• the creative process from the initial concept to the final design - for example, you might include preparatory sketches as well as the final piece.

Architecture is a course offered by the innovative collaboration between two universities - The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University - forming the Manchester School of Architecture (MSA).

Manchester School of Architecture has deep roots within the city of Manchester - with nationally and internationally renowned architects educating new students for more than 100 years.

Whether you originally applied through The University of Manchester or Manchester Metropolitan University, you will become a student at both universities and your degree certificate will feature both institutions.

You will also benefit from facilities and resources across the two universities - having access to the libraries, workshops and materials stores on both campuses.

The purpose-built Manchester School of Art building on the Manchester Metropolitan University campus offers you contemporary studios with panoramic views of the city's skyline, whilst the Model Making Workshop on The University of Manchester campus will provide you with experience using industry-standard technology and equipment.

In year 1 you will start with a series of small projects where you will accumulate knowledge about the body in space and the design of small enclosures for specific activities.

These studio-based projects are supported by a skills programme where the essentials of drawing, modelling and software based representation are taught.

History and theory is taught through lectures and seminars, and you will write reports and essays based on desktop studies and building visits.

Technology learning involves the production of case studies and models to demonstrate an awareness of the materials and detailing of buildings.

Studio 1.1

This unit establishes the principles and skills in research, analysis, argument and representation that support an understanding of architectural design.

Studio 1.2

This unit applies the developing knowledge and skill base to projects that begin to promote the integration of sensual, functional and technological considerations in architectural design in a contemporary cultural setting.

Humanities 1

This unit introduces students to the historical, social and cultural contexts for architectural design and develops skills in research, analysis academic writing and visual representation.

Technologies 1

This unit introduces students to the technological contexts for architectural design and develops skills in research, analysis technical design and visual representation.

In Year 2, you will build upon your design knowledge through a series of interrelated projects that develop the context for architecture as a social and cultural act as well as one that is concerned with technology.

History and theory courses can be chosen as you begin to define your own path as an architect.

In technology, a specific focus on the ecological and environmental aspects of the profession forms a significant part of the course.

Studio 2.1

This unit consolidates design capability and introduces public and social programmes with associated issues of sustainability, inclusivity and greater complexity in building programme placing greater emphasis on relational abilities.

Studio 2.2

This unit consolidates design capability by extending the exploration of public and social programmes with associated issues of sustainability, inclusivity and complexity in building programme and technological manifestation.

Humanities 2

Humanities 2 places the focus of the wider physical, social and economic contexts for architecture and the professional practice of architecture. The course is delivered variously through lectures, seminars and workshops exploring analytical and descriptive frameworks.

Technologies 2

Technologies 2 explores contemporary issues in the built environment with a specific focus on sustainable passive and active environmental technologies.

In Year 3, you will be guided to direct your own learning and, in an atelier-based system, define your own projects which are underpinned by the application of history and theory into your design studio activities.

You will have a choice of history and theory courses and can select technology case studies from a given set.

You will have more autonomy in Year 3 and therefore have more authority over your own work, which will give you confidence and assuredness as you prepare for the professional environment.

Studio 3.1

This unit introduces urbanism and develops the ability to apply techniques in analysis of and strategies for generic urban contexts as the basis for defining and developing a building programme and design proposition.

Studio 3.2

This unit develops ability in architectural design through the exploration of materials, structures, construction, and environmental modification integral with programmatic detail within a building design initiated in response to urban study.

Humanities 3

This unit develops knowledge and understanding of the historical, cultural and professional contexts for architectural design and extends skills in research, analysis, academic writing and visual representation.

Technologies 3

This unit develops knowledge and understanding of the environmental, material and technological contexts for architectural design and extends skill in research, analysis, synthesis and visual representation.

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.

Upon successful completion of your studies, you will receive one degree certificate.

The joint award certificate includes each institution's crest and awarding body title.

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service.

For more information, email dass@manchester.ac.uk

• Architects Registration Board (ARB)
• Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)