MA Architecture and Urbanism
Shaping future cities in response to today's urban crises, through design thinking and strategic innovation.
Fact file
Important information
Course overview
Course information
Features and benefits
A top ranked school of architecture
Manchester School of Architecture is placed 5th in the world in the QS 2025 Architecture rankings.
Joint degree and world-class resources
You will study a programme jointly delivered by The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University. Graduates receive a degree certificate that carries both institutions’ crests and titles.
Industry networks
You will benefit from MSA’s strong industry connections and employer network. Practitioner-tutors contribute directly to the studio curriculum, supported by international visiting speakers, practice visits, and building studies.
Manchester as a living urban laboratory
Gain hands-on experience through site visits and in-situ analysis, using Manchester’s complex urban landscape as a real-world laboratory for understanding urban conditions and spatial dynamics.
Globally engaged, locally grounded
This is a globally connected course where students’ thesis work is regularly shared through conferences, exhibitions, competitions, and publications.
A diverse learning community
You will join a vibrant, international cohort with backgrounds in architecture, landscape, and related fields. The programme celebrates this diversity by offering pathways that support your individual interests and professional ambitions.
Year 1
Core modules
Urban Strategies
Cities and Urbanism
Research Skills
Architectural Tactics
Research Project
Design Synthesis
Study and assessment
Study
- Full-time 25% lectures, seminars or similar; 0% placement; 75% independent study
Assessment
- Full-time 100% coursework; 0% practical; 0% examination
Ten credits equates to 100 hours of study, which is a combination of lectures, seminars and practical sessions, and independent study. A masters qualification typically comprises of 180 credits, a PGDip 120 credits, a PGCert 60 credits and an MFA 300 credits. During the course, you are likely to be required to engage in collaborative projects, practical assessments, group work activities, and to give presentations to your peers/tutors. The exact composition of your study time and assessments for the course will vary according to your option choices and style of learning.
Taught by experts
MA Architecture and Urbanism is part of the Manchester School of Architecture at Manchester Met. Discover more about the school and who you’ll be working with if you choose to study this course.
Entry requirements
Find out about English language requirements
If you are an international student, you will usually need to get a student visa before you can study in the UK.
Country-specific entry requirements
Find your country for specific entry requirements
Fees and funding
UK and Channel Island students
UK full-time fee £12,400 per year
EU and non-EU international students
International full-time fee £28,500 per year
Fees may be subject to change. See the tuition fees section below for full details.
Tuition fees
Additional costs
Careers support and prospects
Employed or in further study
92.7% of our UK-domiciled, full-time, postgraduate taught graduates are employed or in further study 15 months after graduation.
Graduate Outcomes survey 2022/23 leavers, HESA data.
Explore your options and build sought-after skills
Earn while you learn
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Find your perfect placement
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Build skills for your future
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A career as unique as you
Your city, your community, your campus
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How to apply
There are no online application routes, please contact our course enquiries team.
Get advice and support on making a successful application.
You can review our current terms and conditions before you make your application. If you are successful with your application, we will send you up to date information alongside your offer letter.
Disclaimers
Programme review
Our programmes undergo an annual review and major review (normally at 6 year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the latest online learning technology. For further information on when we may make changes to our programmes, please see the changes section of our terms and conditions.
Important notice
This online prospectus provides an overview of our programmes of study and the University. We regularly update our online prospectus so that our published course information is accurate. Please check back to the online prospectus before making an application to us to access the most up to date information for your chosen course of study.
Confirmation of regulator
The Manchester Metropolitan University is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education in England. More information on the role of the OfS and its regulatory framework can be found at officeforstudents.org.uk.
All higher education providers registered with the OfS must have a student protection plan in place. The student protection plan sets out what students can expect to happen should a course, campus, or institution close. Access our student protection plan.