MA Architecture and Urbanism

Course Overview

A taught postgraduate course that conducts research into how global cultural and economic forces influence contemporary cities. The design, functioning and future of urban situations is explored in written, drawn and modelled work that builds on the legacy of twentieth century urban theory and is directed towards the development of sustainable cities. The Master’s in Architecture and Urbanism engages academics and practitioners from different parts of the world with multi-disciplinary skills, including planners, landscape architects, historians, artists, environmental consultants, surveyors, and architects. Students join urban laboratories exploring specific research interests and addressing the main challenges of Architecture and Urbanism worldwide.

Features

As a MA Architecture and Urbanism student at Manchester School of Architecture, 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.
Manchester School of Architecture is currently placed 5th in the world in the QS 2025 Architecture rankings.
The MA Architecture and Urbanism is a joint award certified by The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University. It is not professionally accredited. Graduates of the programme receive a degree certificate that includes each institution's crest and title.
This is an internationally engaged course that actively disseminates students' thesis work through conferences, exhibitions, competitions and publications.

Career Prospects

Graduates have gone on to work with leading architectural, urbanism and town planning practices both nationally and internationally. An increasing number of graduates enrol on further research degrees at doctoral level.

Duration

1 year full-time (48 weeks)

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Teaching and Learning

Through this course you will begin to engage directly with a chosen research subject area, gather data and formulate an original approach in your practice. You will synthesise your project culminating in the production of a leading-edge proposition until you present and contextualise your thesis. This internationally based course actively disseminates students' thesis work through conferences, exhibitions, competitions and publication.

Assessment

Self, peer and tutor-based assessment methods.

Studio A 30 credits
Studio B 30 credits
Studio C 30 credits
Research Methodologies and Events 30 credits
Cities and Urbanism : Ideologies and Futures 30 credits
Dissertation

30 credits

Cities and Urbanism : Ideologies and Futures

Cities and Urbanism : Ideologies and Futures

A seminar series delivered by the students exploring the history and theory of architecture and urban design, using key texts identified by the Module Leader.

Research Methodologies and Events

Research Methodologies and Events

Research Methods is an opportunity for you to explore techniques and processes that inform design as a spatial practice in architecture and urbanism.

Dissertation

Dissertation

This module provides the opportunity to explore, substantiate, communicate and disseminate the research trajectory of a written thesis in architecture and urbanism through the media of an extended piece of disciplined academic writing. Academic writing is supported through the highly structured and intensive tutorial programme: Dissertation Bootcamp. This is designed to provide personalised academic training in the production of high quality written outputs.

Studio A

Studio A

This module is the first in a series of Studio Units, it forms the basis for a design thesis project during the programme of academic study. It typically explores issues in the design of cities, urban space or urban scaled architecture. This module will engage with urban environments and/or ideas connecting local and global issues and opportunities

Studio B

Studio B

This module is the second in a series that form an academic design thesis project. It typically builds upon the findings and themes established in Studio A. This enables you, through discussion with the studio tutorial team, to identify and refine project opportunities at a variety of scales that respond to the urban condition in both local and global situations, to nominate and agree a situation within which the thesis project will be developed and executed.

Studio C

Studio C

This is the final module in a sequence that forms an academic design thesis project. It typically establishes formal and operational aspects of the proposition and includes an investigation of significant interpretative strategies that are critical to the thesis. It typically communicates final resolution to professional presentation standards and includes a critical study in a significant aspect of the realisation of the project.