msa Manchester School of Architecture

This course is for students who have completed the BA (Hons) Architecture course and the subsequent year in practice (during which students can maintain regular contact with the School). The course comprises design studio, history and theory, technology, and professional studies.

Key Facts

• This course satisfies the ARB/RIBA Criteria for Approval and thus provides exemption from Part 2
• Following successful completion of this course you may then take a further year of professional experience before sitting the Examination in Professional Practice. The examination together with two residential preparation programmes satisfies the ARB/RIBA Criteria for Approval and provides exemption from their Part 3, enabling you to qualify for registration with ARB as an architect and join the RIBA.
• Opportunities for study exchange in Europe, America and Australia.

You will study

This course is for students who have completed the BA (Hons) Architecture course and the subsequent year in practice (during which students can maintain regular contact with the School). The course comprises design studio, history and theory, technology, and professional studies. The studio course is taught in small research groups called units. Each of these approaches architecture from a different specialised position, offering expertise, skills and knowledge. The units’ agendas and programmes are driven by staff, research and responses to contemporary events and issues. At the beginning of each academic year you will make a preference from a choice of the School’s units. You would normally expect to spend a year studying with a particular unit.

The history and theory course is conducted through lectures and seminars. All students will write an 8-12,000-word dissertation to satisfy the requirements for this course. This is completed during the first year of the course. The technology component is embedded into the design studio via seminars, masterclasses and discussion with consultants. All students will be required to make a number of different submissions, including a detailed examination of a building proposal. Professional Practice is supported by two lecture series and is completed during the second year of the course. All students will be expected to make a written submission at the end of each series. Study tours and international collaborations take place each year related to the studio units and there is the possibility for exchange under the Erasmus (Europe) and the American/Australian exchange programme in the first full-time year.

Assessment

Project review, assignments and essays.

Career Opportunities

Most graduates work as architects in private practice, though others work for local authorities, government organisations, commercial companies or contracting organisations, or for research agencies. Some graduates undertake research for higher degrees. Opportunities may also exist to work in Europe or overseas.

Location

All Saints Campus, Manchester

How to Apply

Prospective MArch candidates are asked to submit the following information with their applications:

• A concise letter of intent introducing your academic interests and explaining your reasons for wanting to attend the MSA.
• A portfolio of work on CD in PDF format. Include a table of contents with information regarding the duration of project and in which academic year/level it was completed.
• At least 2 referees are required, one of which should be from a former tutor/instructor.

Students who graduated with a BA from the MSA in 2011 and attained a degree classification of 1st or 2:1, need not apply. Students in this category will be receiving automatic offer letters in the post to the address that is on file. All other students must formally submit an application.

• Download Application Form
• Terms & Conditions

Fees

Existing students completing the BA(Hons) Architecture Part 1 who progress to Masters in Architecture will remain on their existing fee structure (with restrictions)

UK and EU students full time £3,465

UK and EU students part time £289 per 10 credit unit

Non-EU overseas students full-time £15,500

The following  will apply to the remaining UK and EU students (not already in the UK system)

UK and EU students full-time £9,000

UK and EU students part-time £750 per 10 credit unit

Non-EU overseas students full-time £15,500