Recognised by institutions such as the Architects Registration Board (ARB), the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Landscape Institute, our courses provide the opportunity to develop your skills and understanding to become a qualified architect or landscape architect in the UK.
Our courses provide the opportunity to study in a school ranked among the top five in the world (QS World Rankings 2025) and recognised as one of the best architecture schools in the UK. We have a reputation for the variety, vitality and achievements of our students, reflected in appraisals by professional institutions, prizes gained externally and successes of our alumni.
MSA provides all the necessary degree courses for you to become a qualified architect or landscape architect in the UK, with many of our graduates going on to have successful careers with the field of architecture in practices and as individuals. The Reichstag Dome in Berlin (Norman Foster), the Olympic Park masterplans in London and Rio de Janeiro (James Prior) and the Highline in New York (James Corner) are just some examples of our alumni’s work from across the globe.
Other graduates have gone onto work in fields such as advertising, art history, architecture and design communication and website design following graduation, reflecting how the transferrable set of skills gained on our courses can prepare you for following a wide range of career paths.
In the UK, architecture is regulated by PSRB’s (Professional, Statutory, Regulatory Bodies), who are involved in the prescription and validation of architectural courses. These include the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Architects Registration Board (ARB).
At the Manchester School of Architecture we offer the full suite of architectural courses from Part 1 to Part 3. Below shows how our courses fit into the standard path to becoming a registered architect.
The Foundation course provides you with an ideal transition between School and University or as part of a career change. Helping you develop design portfolios and provide insight into architecture as a career path.
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Develop your approaches to architecture with one of the highest rated BA (Hons) courses in the UK. Validated by RIBA and ARB, this course gives you a thorough insight into how architects work and prepares you for a year in industry.
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Peer-to-peer learning, practice based research and live events projects connect students, academics and industry professionals in a student-centred environment. Our MArch programme is highly respected for the capability of its graduates, who succeed in a trans global setting of research and practice in architecture.
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A short course that prepares candidates for their RIBA Part 3 examination, followed by the Architect Registration Board’s (ARB) Professional Practice examination.
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A course about existing buildings, situations and places, and how over time these structures and locations can be encouraged to evolve, sustain new uses, and accommodate new users.
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Explore the design, function and future of urban situations through written, drawn and modelled work that builds upon the legacy of twentieth century urban theory and is directed towards the development of sustainable cities.
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The Master of Landscape Architecture is a professional qualification, accredited by the Landscape Institute, which provides a route to an internationally recognised qualification in a fast growing, global profession.
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Work with staff possessing a unique and broad range of interests and expertise across theory, design, policy and practice. Our research students benefit from their own rooms and facilities located in the heart of the School and are centrally involved in all scholarly activities.
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