BA (Hons) Architecture
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Application and Selection

How to apply

Apply through UCAS .

UCAS course code

K100

Advice to applicants

A student on BA Architecture has written a blog on how to make your portfolio stand out.

How to submit your digital portfolio

We would like you to submit your portfolio and statement as a single pdf file uploaded to Manchester Self-service.

To prepare your file please follow these instructions:

• When you have constructed your portfolio, check to make sure that it is correct and that all the images and information can be viewed clearly.
• The maximum pdf file size of your portfolio should be 20mb
• Title your portfolio with your 10-digit UCAS number (eg. 1234567899) and make sure you do not include any spaces, punctuation or symbols e.g. [ ] or any non-standard characters such as accented letters or those from different alphabets such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian etc.
• Please do NOT password protect your portfolio.

To upload your portfolio:

• Log in to Self-Service using your university username and password. (If you have not done so already, you will need to complete IT Sign Up via via https://iam.manchester.ac.uk/ to obtain these details.)
• Click the Tasks tile which will take you into your To Do List.
• Select Portfolio and then Upload file.
• On the File Attachment page, click Add and then My Device to browse to your saved PDF file.
• After selecting this, click Upload and then Done once complete.
• Select Portfolio as the Attachment Type.
• Click Save .

Please note that failure to submit the portfolio by the due date in your To Do list may result in your application being unsuccessful.

If you have any questions or difficulties putting together or uploading your portfolio, please contact msa.portfolios@manchester.ac.uk

We will only use the information you send us as part of the admissions process for the Manchester School of Architecture.

We look forward to receiving your work.

MSA Admissions Team

The University of Manchester

msa.portfolios@manchester.ac.uk

Portfolio requirements

Digital Portfolio

In order to further assess your suitability for the BA Architecture course, we would like you to submit a digital portfolio. A portfolio allows you to showcase your skills and demonstrate your readiness to study at MSA. We are interested in your artistic skills, as well as your creative thinking, problem-solving, and any other attributes that you can demonstrate are relevant to architecture.

What should I include in my digital portfolio?

Select your strongest work, and try to lay out your portfolio so that it is really easy to look through. Each piece of work should be clearly labelled with its project title.

Your portfolio must consist of:

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.

AND

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 and techniques;
• the creative process from the initial concept to the final design – for example, you might include preparatory sketches as well as the final piece.

Returning to education

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.

Re-applications

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful, you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry. 

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.

Disability Support

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

Tuition Fees (2025 Entry)

UK and Channel Island students

Full-time fee: £9,535 for the 2025/26 academic year (subject to Parliamentary approval). Fees for subsequent academic years may increase for inflation to reflect increased costs of course delivery (up to a maximum of 10% per academic year) and/or changes in UK government regulation. Inflationary increases will be calculated by reference to RPIx (RPIx is a measure of inflation in the UK). Fee increases are subject to limits imposed by UK government regulation.

Find out about the extra support we may be able to provide with our scholarships for UK students.

EU and non-EU international students

Full-time fee: £31,500 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).

Many of our international students are eligible for a discount on their tuition fees. Visit our scholarships and funding pages to find out what's available for you.

Additional information

A degree typically comprises 360 credits, a DipHE 240 credits, a CertHE 120 credits, and an integrated masters 480 credits. For courses that offer a placement year option that starts in September 2025, the tuition fee is £1,905 (subject to Parliamentary approval). For courses that offer a study year abroad option that starts in September 2025, the tuition fee is £1,430 (subject to Parliamentary approval). Placement Year fees and study abroad fees for subsequent academic years may increase for inflation to reflect increased costs of course delivery (up to a maximum of 10% each academic year) and/or changes in UK government regulation. Inflationary increases will be calculated by reference to RPIx (RPIx is a measure of inflation in the UK). Fee increases are subject to limits imposed by UK government regulation.

Additional Costs

Specialist Costs

£2,400* plus optional £1,400*

Workshop and Materials 

Although the units are the same for all the students, it is expected that they develop an individualised programme of study in relation to their interests, with practical investigations and developments supported by extensive machine and digital workshops, which have facilities and tools necessary for making and prototyping. General use of workshop facilities are not charged for. Materials are provided for machine and process inductions, however, further materials used when developing individual project work are not provided but are available for purchase at cost from workshop stores. Workshop and material costs are therefore variable and dependent on personal project ambitions connected directly to the size of the chosen site and the level of detail that they are exploring. Indicative cost of workshop materials £250.

IT and Digital 

It is advised that students own a laptop for collating and developing written and visual research, for producing written submissions and presentations, and to facilitate flexible independent working. Subject specific CAD software is also required. Student discounts are available at most hardware vendors and software can be purchased at discounted rates:

- Indicative cost of Midrange Laptop PC: £700 

- Indicative cost of High-End Laptop - £2000 

- Indicative cost of Wireless Mouse - £10

- Indicative cost of External HDD storage (Backup) - £70

- Indicative cost of Cloud storage (Backup) eg. dropbox from approx. £7/month, icloud approx. £9/month

- Indicative cost of Revit - £free (student copy) 

- Indicative cost of Auto CAD - £free (student copy) 

- Indicative cost of Adobe Suite – £free (student copy)

- Indicative cost of Sketchup Pro - £46 per year

- Indicative cost of Rhinoceros - £160 – permanent licence (one off cost).

Specialist software and IT equipment mentioned above is available on campus in both the School of Architecture and Manchester Metropolitan University Library and is accessible remotely via our remote access systems when the buildings are closed. There are also laptops available on short term loan within the department, within the A+H Faculty and a large number available from All Saints Library to loan.

Due to the nature of the software being taught, we recommend a mid to high-end windows laptop for your studies. The MSA recommended laptop guide can be obtained by emailing ADD@mmu.ac.uk.

Print Costs 

Student submissions are digital but there may be occasions were print is more suitable, especially for reviews with industry professionals. Indicative print costs – up to £500.

Trips and Placement Costs

Students may be given the opportunity to engage with a national or international study visit. There may be travel costs involved in pursuing personal lines of research, and students are encouraged to visit professional design events to inform their personal development. As such, costs will be dependent on the level and scope of each student’s research activity. Indicative cost: up to £1000.

Other Costs

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.

PSA (post the degree)

Through the Employability Team, students are also offered the possibility of joining the alumni community and to receive PSA (Professional Studies Advisor) support for the “year 4” or “year out” at MSA. Indicative cost: £40 per quarter.

* All amounts shown are estimates.

Financial Support

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.