MArch Master of Architecture

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

Manchester Metropolitan University

Program Overview

The MArch Master of Architecture at Manchester School of Architecture is the professionally recognised RIBA/ARB Part 2 stage — ideal for students who already hold a Part 1 qualification and want to become registered architects. It focuses on socially and environmentally responsible design, innovation in practice, and helping you develop your own architectural identity.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
You build a strong foundation in contemporary architectural research and professional practice while developing design skills in the studio. Core modules such as Architect as Researcher, Architect in Collaboration, and Architect in Practice support you as you work through studio-based units where strategy, resolution, materials and detailed proposals come together.

Year 2:
You gain greater independence and freedom to shape your work through atelier-based learning. Atelier Exploration and Atelier Innovation let you deepen your personal interests and design direction, leading to a final Dissertation project that brings together your research and creative vision.

Focus Areas:
Architectural design, urbanism, sustainability, adaptive reuse, collaborative practice, research-driven studios

Learning Outcomes:
Graduates develop advanced design and research abilities, confidence in professional practice, and a compelling architectural portfolio that reflects a clear creative voice.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):
Prescribed at RIBA/ARB Part 2 — a direct step toward becoming a registered architect in the UK.

Reputation:
Manchester School of Architecture consistently ranks among the top architecture schools internationally, with strong graduate employability and industry recognition.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

On the MArch at Manchester School of Architecture, learning feels real from day one. You’ll spend a lot of time in studios, workshops and digital spaces—experimenting with materials, modelling ideas, testing design decisions, and working the way professional architects do. The course is very hands-on: you make things, collaborate, experiment, and constantly refine your architectural voice with the support of experienced practitioners and academics.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

Access to the B.15 Modelmaking Workshop, where you can work with physical materials and digital fabrication tools like CNC routers and laser cutters to build highly detailed architectural models.
Specialist workshops equipped for wood, metal, plastics, foam, ceramics and print work, allowing you to explore how buildings and materials behave in the real world.
Digital design studios and computer clusters with industry-standard architecture software for CAD, 3D modelling, visualisation, and large-format printing, plus Apple/Mac stations for digital editing.
Full use of both university libraries and a dedicated architecture/design reference collection, giving you access to one of the most extensive design and research archives in the UK.
Collaborative studio and group projects that mirror real practice, where you develop designs alongside peers from different backgrounds and perspectives.
Study trips, workshops and external collaborations that encourage you to see architecture in context and connect your studio work to real environments, communities and global issues.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from the MArch at Manchester School of Architecture step confidently into the profession with the design ability, research skills and professional understanding employers look for. Many go on to positions in leading studios, public-sector planning departments or multidisciplinary design practices, while others launch their own creative careers. Typical roles include architect, architectural technologist, sustainable design specialist and project manager in the built-environment sector.

To support your transition into professional life, you’ll benefit from:

A dedicated careers and employability team that helps with portfolios, CVs, interview preparation and networking opportunities tailored specifically to architecture graduates.
Strong graduate outcomes — most Manchester Metropolitan graduates secure employment or further study within 15 months of finishing their course, demonstrating solid career prospects.
Long-term professional value, as the MArch is accredited at RIBA and ARB Part 2 level — a major milestone on the route to becoming a registered architect in the UK and recognised internationally.
Strong connections with industry through the school’s extensive network of studios, professionals, lectures and collaborative projects, strengthening students’ access to employers and real-world opportunities.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the MArch, students can continue into research degrees such as a PhD in Architecture or Urban Design, or specialise further through postgraduate study in areas like heritage, sustainability, or landscape and urban development.