Course Overview

Acknowledging the rapidly changing social and professional contexts in which it is situated, the Master of Architecture is a distinctly future oriented course. It provides rigorous understanding of contemporary professional architecture practice; encourages students to combine this with their individual life-wide learning and experiences; and supports them in developing skills of future literacy, to become autonomous agents of positive change. Our graduates are capable and eager to define their own career path, equipped with capabilities to lead the development of the discipline, challenge the status quo, and to thrive in ever changing contexts.

Manchester School of Architecture is a unique partnership between the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University. The course leverages the research and technical pedigrees of these two institutions to provide an unrivalled breadth and depth of world leading specialist academic, professional, technical, and teaching expertise. Additionally, the course makes use of the scale of the school to provide interdisciplinary teaching alongside related courses.

Teaching on the course takes a student centric approach, where student autonomy is highly valued, dedicated to helping you define your own trajectory from the day before you arrive to the days, and years, after you graduate.

During your studies you will be developing your understanding of the contemporary discipline, the contexts in which it is practiced and the pressing factors facing it and wider society. Design projects will focus on contemporary social issues such as the Climate Emergency, and the adaptive reuse of existing buildings, supported by specialist contributions from experts in the field. The content of design briefs is continually reviewed to remain world leading and cutting edge.

The School’s heritage of working within the city enables regular and meaningful engagement with practices, clients, and other relevant groups throughout the course of your studies. The course maintains an exceptional employer reputation, which enables the course to provide students with opportunities to build their professional networks prior to graduation.

Features

• As a Master of Architecture 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. 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.
• Consistently ranked as one of the best schools of Architecture in the UK.
• Engaged and responsive design teaching, working with expert, research-active academic staff and leading design professionals.

Duration

2 years full-time

4 years part-time

Teaching and Learning

The MArch is your final stage of formal academic architecture education leading towards professional registration as an architect. It is a professionally recognised award (prescribed by the Architects Registration Board and validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects) and developed for students who have, typically, one year in practice. 

The studio element of the course is delivered through research-driven, outwardly focussed clusters called ateliers that align strong areas of research activity and mutual interests of groups of staff. This will enable you to develop ideological positions that are critically underpinned by seminars, workshops and symposiums. 

The first year of study will enable you to locate yourself within a broad range of perspectives in relation to contemporary architecture and urbanism. The studio modules are deliberately professionally directed with developed discussions about custom and use, structures and materials, principles, and regulations.   

These modules are supported by a professional focussed module that locates the programme and student learning journey. The Architect in Collaboration, and Architect as Research modules provide highly innovative methods of enquiry into the scope and potential of the discipline. 

The second year will build upon this knowledge and developing skillset to orientate you towards a suitable role within the vast parameters of the profession. The studio modules are consciously loose, so you, the prospective architect have the opportunity to pursue your own interests and develop your own trajectory. These are supported by the enquiry based Dissertation module.  

Study tours and international collaborations with other leading schools and organisations take place each year. 

All students will be required to make a number of different submissions, including detailed examinations of building proposals, dissertation, annotated reports, methods exploration and a design thesis.