Skip navigation
You are viewing our beta course page.

Architecture with Foundation Year

  • BA (Hons)
  • 1 Years
  • Full-time
  • 21/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
Awarded by:
Manchester Metropolitan University
More about University of Manchester

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
Apply

Course summary

Manchester School of Architecture is an innovative collaboration between The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University. The Foundation course provides you with an ideal transition between School and University or as part of a career change.

The Foundation course will provide an accessible route to University-level study, help you develop design portfolios and provide insight into architecture as a career path.

You will benefit from the expertise of specialist practitioners and lecturers who provide you with a supportive environment to develop the fundamental skills needed to embark on a career in the field.

The foundation programme will prepare you for undergraduate study in architecture at Manchester School of Architecture.

We will help you develop your personal and academic skills, expose you to various communication and presentation techniques, show you how to understand and analyse project briefs and conceptualise design solutions, as well as giving you an insight into the practice of architecture.

The programme culminates in an architectural design studio project providing excellent preparation for learning at degree level.

You will be fully immersed into life at Manchester School of Architecture; working with fellow students when the opportunities arise and culminating your studies with a design studio project which relates to those undertaken by current students.

What's more, you'll be inspired by the world-famous city of Manchester - the industrial revolution birthplace turned 21st century metropolis - and its vibrant, contemporary and innovative architecture scene.

Manchester is a showcase for recent regeneration and historic context, much of which has been designed with the involvement of our current students and graduates.

The city recognises the value of high-quality design, together with innovative and pragmatic approaches to resolving practical issues.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 1 Years

Start dates

  • 21/09/2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
K101
Institution code:
M20
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Manchester has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
K101
Institution code:
M20
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - BBB

BBB See personal background eligibility criteria. Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offer you will receive. Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM

Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Diploma in a relevant subject area with grades DDM.

Access to HE Diploma

We require a QAA-recognised Access to HE Diploma (a minimum of 60 credits overall with at least 45 at Level 3), with merit in either a Humanities based subject or Construction/Engineering. The specific course requirements are 60 credits are required with 45 at level 3 and 30 credits at Distinction and the remaining 15 credits at merit grade. We also consider other factors such as other educational achievements, life experience and skills on an individual basis.

Scottish Higher

Scottish Advanced Highers are normally required in one of the following combinations: Three Advanced Highers BBC or Two Advanced Highers BB , plus additional Highers CC English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade Credit level grade 3). If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) you plan to apply to.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD

We consider the National Diploma for entry provided it is in a relevant subject area. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Diploma with grades DD, plus an A-level at grade B.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D

We consider the National Extended Certificate for entry provided it is in a relevant subject area. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Certificate with grade D, plus two A-levels at grades BB.

Scottish Advanced Higher

Scottish Advanced Highers are normally required in one of the following combinations: Three Advanced Highers BBC or Two Advanced Highers BB , plus additional Highers CC English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade Credit level grade 3). If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) you plan to apply to.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 32 points

32 points overall. 5,5,5 in Higher Level subjects Applicants studying the International Baccalaureate Career Related Programme (IBCP) should contact the admissions team prior to applying so that their academic profile can be considered.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

The University welcomes and recognises the value of the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma/Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate and usually requires two A Levels or equivalent to be included within this. We require minimum grade B from the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma/Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate. If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the academic School.

Extended Project

The University recognises the benefits of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. Although the Extended Project will not be included in the conditions of your offer, we strongly encourage you to provide information about the EPQ in your personal statement.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least 4 or C in GCSE/IGCSE English Language and Mathematics. GCSE/IGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/IGCSE English Language. Please note that if you hold English as a second language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of  our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications  or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the admissions team in your academic School/Department for clarification.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - DDD

We consider the Technical Extended Diploma for entry provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Extended Diploma with grades DDD.

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma - DD

We consider the Technical Diploma for entry provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Diploma with grades DD, plus an additional level 3 qualification such as an A-level at grade B.

OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma - DD

We consider the Technical Foundation Diploma for entry provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Foundation Diploma with grades DD, plus additional level 3 qualifications such as A-level at grades BB.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate

We consider the Technical Extended Certificate for entry provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Extended Certificate with grade D, plus additional Level 3 qualifications such as A-levels at grades BB.

T Level - Not accepted

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.56.5 overall, with 6.5 in writing and no other sub-section below 6.0
All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either: - GCSE/iGCSE English Language grade C/4. - IELTS 6.5 overall, with 6.5 in writing and no other sub-section below 6.0, - An acceptable equivalent qualification The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student from outside the UK and the EU must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language in order to be granted a UK visa (Tier 4 visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. This level is often referred to as the 'B2 level'. Additionally, our individual Schools may ask for specific English Language proficiency levels that are necessary for their academic programmes. In most cases these requirements are likely to be higher than the B2 level.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We operate contextual admissions meaning many applicants receive an offer and are admitted at least one grade below standard entry requirements. Entry requirements for applicants meeting contextual admissions criteria are listed next to the standard entry requirements on course profiles.

Contextual admissions means we consider your application in context helping us to ensure everyone has a fair chance of getting into Manchester. The data we use is automatically provided on your UCAS form.

Learn more on the University of Manchester website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

Related courses

At University of Manchester

Like this page