Dr. Victoria Jolley is an Architect and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy with over 15 years of teaching experience across undergraduate and postgraduate architectural education. She is Deputy Head of School and maintains extensive national and international professional networks across practice and academic settings. Victoria joined the review panel for the 2025 review of the QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Architecture following her involvement with the Architecture Apprenticeship Forum. She is External Examiner at Staffordshire University and London South Bank University.
Jolley’s research spans architectural history and urban morphology. Interests include human settlements and urban arrangements; economic and social renewal; polycentric super cities; dynamic growth and decentralisation; regionalism and ekistics; architectural representation. She has a Master of Philosophy by Research and in 2020 completed her PhD focusing on Central Lancashire New Town, Lancashire, UK. She was awarded a RIBA Trust Award in 2003 to fund a feasibility study for an exhibition of architectural drawings on behalf of the Manchester Society of Architects.
Victoria qualified as an architect in 2006 whilst working at O’Connell East Architects. In practice Victoria worked across multiple sectors and specialised in the conservation and reuse of derelict listed buildings, new build and the refurbishment of education facilities as well as undertaking smaller domestic projects.
Academic and professional qualifications
2019 PhD, Manchester Metropolitan University
2013 Fellow, Higher Education Academy
2013 PG Cert LTHE, UCLan (SEDA accredited)
2011 Associate, Higher Education Academy
2011 University Certificate HE Teaching, UCLan
2009 Master of Philosophy by Research, Manchester School of Architecture
2006 Advanced Diploma in Professional Practice, RIBA NW
2000 Diploma in Architecture, Mackintosh School of Architecture
1997 Bachelor of Arts with Honours: Architecture 2:1
Membership of professional associations
2020 – present Chair: National Architecture Apprenticeship Forum
2020 – 2021 MMU Apprenticeship Research Unit
2020 – 2021 Committee member Manchester Society of Architects
2013 – present Fellow, Higher Education Academy
2011 – 2013 Associate, Higher Education Academy
2006 – present ARB
2006 – 2016 RIBA
2003 – 2004 Co-opted member of Manchester Society of Architects
2002 – 2003 Executive committee member and trustee of the Architecture Centre Network
Academic service (administration and management)
Deputy Head of School
Career highlights
2009 - 2015UCLan, Lancashire, Senior Lecturer. BA (Hons) Architecture Programme, teaching across studio and humanities.
2008 - 2009The Manchester School of Architecture. Associate lecturer, year one.
2005 - 2009O’Connell East Architects, Manchester. Project architect working on the refurbishment of listed buildings in Manchester and Newark and new build residential projects.
2004 - 2005Chapman Robinson Architects and EDAW, Manchester. Part 3 assistant working on master planning and urban design schemes as well as private houses, housing association, residential and leisure projects.
2003 - 2004Barnes Walker, Manchester. Architectural assistant working across commercial, master planning and external works.
2002 - 2004The Manchester School of Architecture. Associate lecturer, year one.
2002 - 2003Manchester Society of Architects and RIBA Research Trust Award. Feasibility study and research for an exhibition of architectural drawings.
2001-2003Centre for the Understanding of the Built Environment. Programme manager for CUBE’s outreach programme: The City @ CUBE. Bid writer securing funds from NWDA, Regional Arts Lottery Programme, CABE and the Arts Council.
2000 - 2002Fairhursts Design Group, Manchester. Part 2 architectural Assistant working on large-scale urban retail and leisure projects.
2000Percival Smith Associates Limited, Manchester. Assistant art director, Seven Seas Commercial.
1997 - 1998Fairhursts Design Group, Manchester. Part 1 architectural assistant working on large-scale commercial, education and pharmaceutical projects.