Manchester University of Architecture

The studio course is delivered through research-driven clusters called ateliers that align strong areas of research activity and mutual interests via trios of staff. This enables students to develop ideological positions that are critically underpinned through seminars, workshops and symposiums to enhance their knowledge and skills. The first year of their studies enables each student to locate themselves within a broad range of perspectives in relation to contemporary architecture and urbanism. The second year builds upon this knowledge and developing skillset to orientate each student towards a suitable role in the parameters of the profession. The MArch programme has continued to maintain a diverse range of ateliers and expertise and enables us to provide a series of distinct and significant areas of focus with respect to the future of architecture and urbanism in a wider cultural context. At the beginning of each academic year you will make a preference from a choice of the School’s ateliers. You would normally expect to spend a year studying with a particular atelier.

Special Features

• Manchester School of Architecture is a unique collaboration between Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Manchester.
• This course satisfies the ARB/RIBA Criteria for Approval and, thus, provides exemption from Part 2
• Following successful completion of this course you may then take a further year of professional experience before sitting the Examination in Professional Practice. The examination together with two residential preparation programmes satisfies the ARB/RIBA Criteria for Approval and provides exemption from their Part 3, enabling you to qualify for registration with ARB as an architect and join the RIBA.
• Opportunities for study exchange in Europe, America and Australia.

Duration

2 years (full-time)
4 years (part-time)

Course Content

This course is for students who have completed the BA (Hons) Architecture course and the subsequent year in practice (during which students can maintain regular contact with the School). The course comprises design studio, history and theory, technology and professional studies. The studio course is taught in small research groups called ateliers. Each of these approaches architecture from a different specialised position, offering expertise, skills and knowledge. The atelier's agendas and programmes are driven by staff, research and responses to contemporary events and issues. At the beginning of each academic year you will make a preference from a choice of the School’s units. You would normally expect to spend a year studying with a particular atelier.

The history and theory course is conducted through lectures and seminars. All students will write an 8-12, 000-word dissertation to satisfy the requirements for this course. This is completed during the first year of the course. The technology component is embedded into the design studio via seminars, masterclasses and discussion with consultants. All students will be required to make a number of different submissions, including a detailed examination of a building proposal. Professional Practice is supported by two lecture series and is completed during the second year of the course. All students will be expected to make a written submission at the end of each series. Study tours and international collaborations take place each year related to the studio ateliers and there is the possibility for exchange under the Erasmus (Europe) and the American/Australian exchange programme in the first full-time year.

Year 1

The first year of your studies enables you to locate yourself within a broad range of perspectives in relation to contemporary architecture and urbanism.

Dissertation

This unit provides an opportunity for you to explore a chosen research topic that may relate to your personal interests in design through the media of an extended piece of academic writing.

Studio 4.1

This unit is a research-led laboratory that critically explores architectural design in its contemporary setting. You elect to join staff-led ateliers with defined agendas relevant to the field of contemporary academic and professional practice.

Studio 4.2

Studio 4.3

Year 2

The second year builds upon this knowledge and developing skillset to orientate each student towards a suitable role in or beyond the parameters of the profession. The MArch programme has continued to maintain a diverse range of different ateliers and expertise and enables us to provide a series of distinct and significant areas of focus with respect to the future of architecture and urbanism in a wider cultural context. At the beginning of each academic year you will make a preference from a choice of the School’s ateliers. You would normally expect to spend a year studying with a particular atelier.

Professional Studies

This unit prepares you for employment in respect of the knowledge and understanding of the profession and related procedures, industries and organisations in the contemporary setting of architectural design .

Studio 5.1

This unit is the first in a series that form a design thesis project during the final stage of academic study. It typically establishes the programme or content of the final design project and includes an investigation of the setting or context of the project.

Studio 5.2

This unit is the second in a series that form a design thesis project during the final stage of academic study. It typically establishes formal and functional organisation and includes an investigation of the technological strategies for the project.

Studio 5.3

This unit is the third and final in a series that form a design thesis project during the final stage of academic study. It typically communicates final resolution to professional presentation standards and includes a critical investigation of design detail in the project.

Assessment

Project review, assignments and essays.

Entry Requirements

You will normally have at least an upper second class undergraduate UK honours degree (or international equivalent) in architecture and/or ARB/RIBA Part 1. Admission will normally be dependent on a successful application and possibly an interview.

A portfolio of work should be submitted with your application, this can be sent to us using online file transfer apps such as dropbox or we-transfer. It should include a table of contents with information regarding the duration of each project and in which academic year/level it was completed and a selection of projects worked on during your year in practice. We also require a concise letter of intent and two references, one of which must be from a former year 3 tutor, the other a reference from your current employer.

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