Manchester School of Architecture (MSA)

Located half a mile from the city centre, Manchester School of Architecture (MSA) is an innovative collaboration between Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) and The University of Manchester (UoM), uniting two schools of architecture with over 100 years of educational experience to create one of the largest architecture schools in the UK.

MSA is consistently ranked as one of the best architecture schools in the UK and offers a range of professionally recognised undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. During its time MSA has gained a reputation for the variety, vitality and quality of the work and achievements of its students. This is not only reflected in appraisals by the professional institutions, the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and the Royal Institute for British Architects (RIBA), but also by the number and variety of prizes gained externally.

Specialist, research active staff provide a rich and stimulating environment at MSA. Many of them are or have practiced as architects and have strong links with the architecture community in Manchester and beyond.

Architectural research at the MSA is intrinsically interdisciplinary and broadly conceived, encompassing areas as diverse as urban design, urban development, ecological and landscape design and the conservation and management of historic environments. This research is carried out mainly within the recently established Manchester Architecture Research Centre (MARC). The centre draws upon a wide range of interdisciplinary research and teaching interests within the School of Environment, Education and Development, the Faculty of Humanities of The University of Manchester and the Manchester School of Art at Manchester Metropolitan University. The opportunities for collaborative architectural research across the two universities are unparalleled and research bids in a variety of disciplines are strengthened by the involvement of strong architectural researchers.

Both our postgraduate research and postgraduate taught programmes draw inspiration from our research activity and you are encouraged to actively take part in the research culture of the school.

Manchester is a dynamic setting to study architecture. The City is a showcase for recent regeneration and historic context, much of which has been designed with the involvement of our graduates. MSA connects academic and professional practice in the city and region with strong international networks, providing excellent opportunities for collaboration.