Two universities share one architecture school here. Manchester School of Architecture is run jointly by the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University, with studios on the Oxford Road side of the city centre. Students follow the UK route to becoming an architect, from the BA through to the MArch. The city itself, with its mills and warehouses, becomes a working case study.
Manchester, United Kingdom
Official website: msa.ac.uk
Joint school of two Manchester universities
University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University
RIBA Part 1 and Part 2 courses
£21,000 – £31,000
International students, varies by enrolling university
£11,000 – £14,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on msa.ac.uk before you apply.
BA (Hons) Architecture
Bachelors DegreeDuration
36 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90
MArch Architecture
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90
MA Architecture and Urbanism
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90
MA Architecture and Adaptive Reuse
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90
One school backed by two universities.
Design studios organised around themed ateliers.
The full BA to MArch route to professional practice.
Graduates work in architecture practices in Manchester, London and abroad.
Many do a year in practice between the BA and MArch.
Graduates can stay in the UK for two years on the Graduate visa.
Undergrad
UCAS, mid-January
Postgrad
Rolling
Studios are on the Oxford Road corridor, near All Saints Park and the Whitworth. Students use workshops and libraries at both universities.
Manchester's canals, converted cotton mills and new towers in Ancoats and Castlefield give plenty to draw. Rent is lower than in London, and trains to Liverpool, Leeds and London are frequent.
CAS from the institution
Proof of funds for fees and living costs
English test at B2 level or above
TB test certificate, if required
Immigration Health Surcharge payment
Valid passport with blank pages
Apply for the BA through UCAS by the mid-January deadline, with a portfolio. Postgraduate courses accept applications on a rolling basis, but popular ones fill early, so apply in the autumn or winter before you start.
Courses start in September.
You'll apply for a Student visa. Manchester Met or the University of Manchester gives you a CAS number once your offer is unconditional and the deposit is paid. You can then apply online up to six months before the course starts, with bank evidence and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
The BA Architecture and the MArch are the main courses, with MA Architecture and Urbanism for graduates. You need strong grades, a design portfolio and IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.
Scholarships come through Manchester Met and the University of Manchester. Check both universities' international scholarship pages for awards that apply to architecture.
