MA Architecture and Urbanism

Course Overview

MA Architecture and Urbanism invites you to shape the future of our cities and tackle the biggest challenges facing urban environments today. Combining in-depth research with studio-based design, the course addresses how cultural, economic, and environmental forces influence contemporary cities and places. You will produce written, drawn and modelled work rooted in historical urban theory and directed towards creating sustainable, future-focused cities.

Designed for both aspiring researchers and industry professionals, the course supports diverse career goals and specialised interests. Shape your own direction through the exploration of specific research interests and studio design practice. Our urban laboratories provide space to investigate solutions to urban challenges through various lenses - for example landscape, contextualism, prototype, and housing.

You will benefit from the specialist workshops at both Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Manchester to explore model-making, fabrication, and realisation of your ideas.

You will have opportunities to enhance your specialist knowledge and get career ready by connecting with Manchester School of Architecture’s network of industry leaders and alumni. This course will expose you to the global perspectives and experiences of experts in urbanism including planners, architects, historians, artists and environmental consultants.

This course is ideal preparation for careers in professional or academic roles associated with sustainable urban and architectural design. Graduates go on to shape the built environment at every level in architectural practice, academic research, urban design, policy, consultancy, and construction.

The programme is part of Manchester School of Architecture, an internationally recognised leader in architectural and urban design education which is jointly delivered and awarded by Manchester Metropolitan University and The University of Manchester.

Features

Joint degree and world-class resources - As an MA Architecture and Urbanism student at Manchester School of Architecture, 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. The programme gives you access to the full range of facilities across both universities, including libraries, computer suites, making and media workshops, and more.
A top ranked school of architecture - Manchester School of Architecture is placed 5th in the world in the QS 2025 Architecture rankings.
Industry networks and professional practice - 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. The programme also collaborates with leading urban design and research consultancies, creating opportunities to engage in live research and consultancy projects.
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. You will develop the resilience to turn the challenges of a changing world into opportunities for bold urban transformation.
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.

Career Prospects

Graduates have gone on to work with leading architectural, urbanism and town planning practices both nationally and internationally. An increasing number of graduates enrol on further research degrees at doctoral level.

Duration

1 year full-time

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Teaching and Learning

You will join a one-year programme that builds progressively in depth and complexity. In the first semester, you will develop a strong foundation in the principles of architecture and urbanism, gaining the skills and knowledge needed to critically investigate cities as both physical and cultural constructs. During the second semester, you will begin to establish your own position through a written research project and design-based inquiry. In the final semester, you will complete an independent Design Synthesis Project, conducting original research, gathering and interpreting data, and formulating an advanced architectural and urban design proposition that culminates in the presentation and contextualisation of your thesis.

Throughout the programme, you will be supported by academic staff who are experts in architecture, urbanism, and professional practice, ensuring your work is informed by the latest debates in cities making as well as the realities of architectural application. You will also benefit from the combined resources of The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University, with access to specialist workshops, digital facilities, libraries, and wider student support services.

The course places a strong emphasis on real-world urban engagement. You will work alongside industry professionals, participate in live architectural and urban design projects, and investigate subject themes in situ through urban living laboratories. Studio learning encourages both individual expertise in architecture and urbanism and collaborative exchange, creating a diverse and interconnected community of students united by shared interests in the future of cities.

Assessment

Self, peer and tutor-based assessment methods.

Urban Strategies 30 credits
Cities and Urbanism 15 credits
Research Skills 15 credits
Architectural Tactics 30 credits
Research Project 30 credits
Design Synthesis 60 credits

Urban Strategies

Urban Strategies

Urban Strategies will introduce you to the essential concepts, strategies and technical knowledge necessary for engaging in Urban Design, providing a solid foundation upon which further critical speculation and design exploration can be made. By working both individually and collaboratively you will be guided and supported in developing a variety of design approaches. Engaging in processes to investigate how to shape contemporary urban environments, you will propose compelling formal responses to complex and urgent contemporary urban issues.

Cities and Urbanism

Cities and Urbanism

This module will introduce you to important urban themes, challenges and resolutions from the 18th century to 21st centuries and beyond. Through a detailed analysis of the relation between the city and social, political and technological processes, you will learn to evaluate and discuss the development of cities. The module explores urbanism as being embedded in much broader conditions than their performative qualities (aesthetics, meaning, iconic objects). You will develop the capacity to evaluate the influence of the design and development of cities, past and present, on the contemporary built environment.

Research Skills

Research Skills

In this module you will develop skills needed to undertake the research for the Research Project module. You will be introduced to methods that are used in data collection and analysis, and their related ethical considerations. You will develop skills in the critical assessment of academic literature and sources related to a research topic, and in critical writing.

Architectural Tactics

Architectural Tactics

This module explores the complexity of urban conditions through the lens of architectural design at diverse scales. You will reflect on the intertwinement and simultaneity of the relationships between people, cities, buildings and the environment, and define the contemporary factors that impact these relationships. By devising methodological tactics applied to architectural design, you will be supported in developing speculative approaches to multi-scale design for a better future.

Research Project

Research Project

Through the Research Project module you will examine the built and designed environment within its wider theoretical, historical, socio-economic, and global context. Building upon the Research Skills module, in the Research Project module, you will undertake a period of research to produce an individually written exploration of a well-defined research topic. You will gain experience in applying critical evaluation of evidence from a range of sources in the service of the creation of new knowledge and further develop critical writing skills to advance coherent and rigorous academic arguments.

Design Synthesis

Design Synthesis

In the Design Synthesis module, you will reflect on and investigate topics undertaken throughout the course. Through supervision by academics and specialised staff you will be guided in finding specific pathways which support your individual aspirations, linked to future urban challenges. This module will enable you to undertake activities that advance Architecture and Urbanism design and theoretical practice. Projects may include research, design, modelling, or a combination of approaches. You will deliver a final synthesis project following your own creative and intellectual explorations, allowing you to define the skillset which will shape your future career.