A-Z of Things to Do in Manchester for Students

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About the author: I’m Vic, an SEO Content Executive at UniHomes and I grew up near Manchester. As a graduate of both Lancaster University and the University of Leeds, I’m passionate about helping students make the most of their everyday lives!

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Home to over 100,000 students, Manchester is the student city, and there’s no shortage of things to do! You'll never be bored in this beautiful city with lush green spaces, charming neighbourhoods, and tonnes of culture.

Whether you’re already studying in Manchester or thinking about attending one of the universities here, check out our top A-Z things to do in Manchester for students.

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A-Z best things to do in Manchester for students

A is for Alexandra Park

If you’re looking for a nature spot close to the city centre, try out Alexandra Park. This 60-acre green space is only around a half-hour walk from either university in Manchester, and it’s perfect for catching some rays on a sunny day.

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B is for Band on the Wall

Band on the Wall is one of Manchester’s best live music venues, featuring a range of genres from reggae to rock. It also boasts a learning centre if you fancy giving music a go yourself.

There are plenty of drinks to try out, and you can become a member to get access to discounts. Hungry? The pizzas are a top pick here…

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C is for Chinatown

Manchester’s Chinatown is the second largest in the UK and the third biggest in Europe, so you won’t struggle to find something tasty to eat! There are tonnes of cafés, restaurants, shops, karaoke bars, and bakeries to choose from.

If you’re in the mood for some dim sum, try Mei Dim, or if you’re craving some authentic Chinese hot pot, check out XiongQi Hot Pot instead. WooTea on George Street is the place to go if you want bubble tea – they even make their own boba!

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D is for Didsbury Dozen

The Didsbury Dozen is a much-loved pub crawl situated in South Manchester, and is just one of the factors that make this area so great. Hop from the must-visit beer garden at The Didsbury to Ye Olde Cock Inn, The Famous Crown, and more.

Check out student accommodation in Didsbury to be ideally located for this one!

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E is for Etihad Stadium

If you’re a football fan, you can’t pass up this opportunity while studying in the city! Home to Manchester City Football Club, Etihad Stadium is the tenth largest in the UK. Off-peak stadium tours cost just £23 for students, so there’s no reason not to book one!

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F is for Fletcher Moss Gardens

Located in Didsbury, Fletcher Moss Gardens is an essential visit if you enjoy gorgeous meadows, picturesque gardens, and enchanting woodland. Despite being outside the city centre, they are easily accessible by bus or tram.

This historic park and gardens offer a stunning collection of rare trees, colourful flowers, alpine plants, roses, and heathers, which attract a range of birds, butterflies, and wildlife. One of the most Instagrammable spots in the city, this botanical garden is the perfect place to showcase just how beautiful the UK can be!

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G is for Gay Village

Situated around Canal Street and near Piccadilly Station, Manchester’s Gay Village is one of the most vibrant and inclusive LGBTQ+ spots in the whole of Europe. It’s famous for its nightlife that celebrates diversity all year round, as well as the annual Pride Festival.

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H is for Heaton Park

With over 600 acres of greenery, Manchester’s Heaton Park is the perfect place to relax and picnic in the warmer months. While you’re there, why not check out the nearby garden centre or animal centre?

As one of Manchester’s highest points, this is also the perfect place to get a gorgeous view of the city. Plus, Heaton Park is also home to Parklife, a two-day annual music festival which should be on every student’s bucket list if you’re a fan of dance and electronic music! Just remember to pack all the festival essentials!

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I is for Ice Skating

If you’re into winter sports and want to get into the festive mood, get your ice skates on and pay Skate Manchester a visit. Don’t forget – Skate hosts discounted student nights that you won’t want to miss, great for a one-off date night or fun day with your friends.

Note: ice skating here is seasonal, so you’ll only be able to hit the rink from October to early January.

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J is for John Rylands Library

Home to around 250,000 books, this library was commissioned by Enriqueta Rylands in memory of her husband, John Rylands, Manchester's first multi-millionaire.

Marvel at the impressive late Victorian neo-Gothic architecture of this grand building, which the producers of Harry Potter used as inspiration for Hogwarts and Dumbledore’s Office. If you’re a bookworm, this library is a place you simply must visit if you’re studying in the city, although you may also like Manchester Central Library and Chetham’s Library, both free of charge to enter.

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K is for K2 Karaoke

If you want to unwind after a hard week of lectures by belting out your favourite tunes, K2 Karaoke is the place to be. You can have your very own private karaoke party with your housemates here (thankfully, all the rooms are soundproofed).

And if all the singing and cocktails have you work up an appetite, don’t forget to check out K2’s Asian flavours on the food menu.

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L is for The Lowry

Located on the waterfront of Salford Quays, this cultural beacon is an award-winning theatre and gallery that should definitely be on your list of things to do while studying in Manchester. Equally famous for its striking architecture and commitment to being a world-class arts centre, The Lowry offers everything from workshops to theatre shows! 

This venue is named after Laurence Stephen Lowry, an artist who spent most of his life in Salford and has strong connections with Manchester. The Lowry offers discounted tickets for those under 30 (currently £10), so you have no reason not to get dressed up and catch one of the amazing shows they have on, especially if you study at the University of Salford.

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M is for Manchester Art Gallery

Can’t get enough of art? Pop in the Manchester Art Gallery entirely free of charge to view a huge collection of paintings, sculptures, and more works on the central Mosley Street.

Keep an eye out for the latest exhibitions to get your culture fix!

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N is for Northern Quarter

The unique Northern Quarter, between Piccadilly and Ancoats, is the creative heart of Manchester. Offering a wide selection of edgy fashion stores, independent record shops, quirky cafés and lively bars and restaurants, this vibrant community is a must-visit if you’re studying in the city!

If you’re feeling peckish, grab some Asian fusion food at Wolf At The Door, or take your pick from numerous street food vendors at Mackie Mayor. For drinks, check out one of the many lively bars, like Cane & Grain, offering New York-inspired cocktails.

There are so many cool spots to discover in this neighbourhood - part of the charm is just getting lost and seeing where you end up! It’s no surprise that Time Out named The Northern Quarter number 30 out of the top 50 coolest neighbourhoods in the world.

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O is for Old Trafford

If you’re a United fan, tours of the world-famous Old Trafford and a visit to the museum are £29 if booked in advance. Don’t forget to bag yourself some student accommodation near Old Trafford for easy access.

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P is for Piccadilly Records

If you prefer the old-school way of listening to music, then Piccadilly Records is where you need to visit. Home to a huge range of records from local and international artists, this independent record store has been the ultimate destination for record lovers for many decades.

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Q is for The Quays

Salford Quays is a popular area in Salford featuring a beautiful waterfront on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal. Plenty is going on here, whether you want to use your student discount at one of the area’s familiar chain restaurants, catch a film, or simply jog or cycle around the promenade.

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R is for Rusholme’s Curry Mile

Located along Wilmslow Road in Rusholme, Manchester’s famous Curry Mile is popular with local students and with good reason! This stretch of road is home to a huge selection of incredible Asian restaurants, takeaways, dessert bars, and cafés. Whether you fancy some tasty Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi or Sri Lankan food, this is a must-visit destination and simply heaven after a night out.

Some of the most recommended restaurants are Mughli Charcoal Pit (offering Indian soul food and cocktails), Al Madina (a café cooking up authentic Pakistani and South Asian food), and the popular Chit ‘N’ Chaat (specialising in street food from all over India).

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S is for Spinningfields

Spinningfields is Manchester’s major financial and commercial hub, explaining its luxury restaurants, shops, and bars. While its high-end reception may stretch your student budget, treating yourself to a cocktail here every now and then is a welcome treat!

Student favourites here include The Alchemist, 20 Stories (rooftop views, anyone?), and Slug & Lettuce for 2-4-1 cocktails.

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T is for Trafford Centre

If you ever get bored of shopping in the Arndale, the Trafford Centre is a big hit amongst students. Not only is it well-connected with buses, but you’ll also find all your favourite high street brands here, an Odeon cinema, mini golf, an aquarium, and more, making for a full weekend day out!

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U is for University

Well, we had to include an obvious one, didn’t we? Manchester is home to some world-class universities, including the Russell Group University of Manchester, as well as Manchester Metropolitan University and, a little further out, the University of Salford and the University of Greater Manchester.

With a huge student population of more than 100,000, you should be able to find like-minded friends here!

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V is for Vinyl Shopping

If you can’t find anything that suits in Picadilly Records, don’t sweat it – Manchester has plenty of amazing record stores to keep you occupied, including Vinyl Revival and Vinyl Exchange.

Fun fact: Vinyl Exchange is currently the biggest seller and buyer of second-hand records, CDs, and DVDs in the North West of England.

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W is for Whitworth Art Gallery

Founded in 1889, The Whitworth Gallery was recently transformed by a £15 million development. This gallery is part of the University of Manchester and is home to a whopping 60,000 works of art, textiles, and rare wallpapers - there’s no shortage of things to discover! Best of all, the gallery is completely free.

You should also check out the Whitworth Art Garden. Designed by Sarah Price, this urban sanctuary features an orchard garden, a sculpted terrace and even a café hidden among the trees!

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X is for Xmas Markets

Manchester’s Christmas Markets are some of the biggest and most popular in the UK once November hits our calendars. With well over 200 stalls on display across around ten different locations in the city centre, these markets can keep any group or individual busy for the festive season.

Grab a mulled wine, hot chocolate, or classic Yorkshire pudding wrap or buy something at the craft stalls for your housemate’s Secret Santa present!

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Y is for YES

YES is a popular events venue amongst students, providing a four-storey space to catch up with friends, study, or take a break. As a budget-friendly venue, you can enjoy pizza for half price from 12 PM to 6 PM, dance the night away in the basement, or enjoy some live music in the pink room.

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Z is for Zip World Manchester

Located in Heaton Park, Zip World Manchester offers an exhilarating ziplining experience for students right near the city centre. Here, you’ll find spectacular woodland scenery, perfect for helping you get away from the screens, not to mention your coursework and assignments!

Check out our guide to student life in Manchester for more things to do here.

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Browse for student accommodation in Manchester  

Now that you’ve got your A-Z bucket list of things to do in Manchester for students sorted, let’s handle the heavy lifting. Managing utility bills while trying to study is a headache you don’t need. But UniHomes can help… 

We have a comprehensive landlord and letting agent network with student properties with bills included across the UK, including many properties in Manchester.

It’s easy to filter by your budget, preferred location, university and the number of bedrooms to find the perfect student property for you. Whether you’re looking for a cosy studio in the city centre or a spacious five-bedroomed house to share with all your mates, you can find it on our site.

Check out our bill packages for more information.