The university aims to create an internationally significant digital arts school at its central All Saints Campus in the city.
The purpose-built 56,000 sq ft school will comprise teaching facilities over 5 floors when finished in Spring 2021.
It will house subjects that span film, animation, User experience design, photography, games, AI and more.
The new facility with be located on the site of the Students Union car park on Higher Chatham Street.
Peter Commins, managing director for Kier Regional Building North West, said that Kier has committed to creating 10 apprenticeship opportunities and engaging with the City of Manchester workforce by hiring 100 local people and engaging with the local supply chain.
MMU’s development team includes Turner & Townsend with Feilden Clegg Bradley as architect and Buro Happold as engineer.