How to Apply

Please apply online using the provided link.

You are encouraged to submit a digital portfolio with your application. This should be in the format of a PDF document with no more than 20 pages.

Suggested Portfolio Contents

The submission of a portfolio of work with your application demonstrates your ability to edit your work into the most appropriate and succinct expression of your abilities and ambitions. Portfolios should be rigorously laid out and should employ an appropriately sized and legible font for graphical clarity and ease of comprehension. Your portfolio should have the following structure and content:

  • A cover page bearing your name and an image that graphically and succinctly ‘sells’ your interests, ambitions or capabilities (this should be different to the project images contained within the portfolio, but may be derived from them).
  • A table of contents with information regarding the duration of projects and the undergraduate academic year / level in which it was completed.
  • A short introductory statement to you and your practice at the front of the portfolio (this can be an extract from the 4,000 character statement in your application).
  • Three pieces of work, with one project or piece of coursework shown in detail. This should include a short written summary demonstrating the significance of each piece of work (100 words for each), and must demonstrate the rigour of the discipline from which you come.
  • Additional work: your portfolio can include examples of work undertaken in an employment context from a practical training period or similar experience.

Start Dates

September 2026

Entry Requirements

You will normally have at least an upper second-class undergraduate UK honours degree (or international equivalent) in a related field including Architecture, Landscape, Environment Design, Urban Design.

Candidates are required to provide a digital portfolio and a written personal statement (approximately 450 words) as part of the application process to evidence designing/architectural practice and research.

Other professional qualifications or degree disciplines will be considered on merit and/or with relevant professional experience, on a case-by-case basis. As part of this process, the internal programme and university admissions teams may review applicant’s portfolios to determine suitability based upon drawing and communication of related skills, and the relevance of experience. Applicants may be invited to attend additional pre-start study skills support.

Overseas applicants will require IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 with no less than 5.5 in any category, or an equivalent accepted English qualification.

Find out about English language requirements

Tuition Fees (2026 Entry)

UK and Channel Island students

Full-time fee: £12,400 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).

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: £28,500 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 masters qualification typically comprises 180 credits, a PGDip 120 credits, a PGCert 60 credits, and an MFA 300 credits. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of study provided the course is completed in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).

Additional Costs

Specialist Costs

Optional estimate: £1000

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. We would suggest students wait to purchase software until your studies commence to avoid paying for a software which may be provided for free.

A full laptop specification guide is available from the programme team.

• Indicative cost of Midrange Laptop PC: £700

• Indicative cost of High-End Laptop PC: £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 elsewhere on Manchester Metropolitan University and University of Manchester campuses. Remote access systems are available when the buildings are closed. 

There are laptops available on short term loan within the department which meet the high specification description, and within Manchester Metropolitan University.

Other Costs

Optional estimate: £1000

Printing

Student submissions are digital but there may be occasions where print is more suitable, especially for reviews with industry professionals.

Indicative print costs – up to £500.

Model making / workshop materials

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.

Graduate Degree Show

Printing final work, creation of exhibition material, and the production of specific models for the graduate exhibition.

Indicative costs – up to £200.

Trips

A trips policy is in place where curriculum-based fieldwork is financially supported by the school, and optional extra-curricular study tours are available for students to attend at their own cost.

Costs of an optional study tour may vary depending on the activity type and location where it takes place. A study tour could be in the range of c.£100-£1000, and if these are international, a UK alternative will also be offered.