10 Things To Do In Manchester For Students

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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 five universities here, check out our top 10 things to do in Manchester for students… 

1. Explore The Northern Quarter  

The unique Northern Quarter, between Piccadilly and the Ancoats, is the creative heart of Manchester. Offering a wide selection of edgy fashion stores, independent record shops, quirky cafes 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 North American road trip-inspired food at Liquor and Burn, 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.  

2. Check out 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 a tonne of cafes, 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’re craving bubble tea - they even make their own boba!  

3. Relax in 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 the highest points in Manchester, 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! 

4. Watch a show at 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.  

5. Visit 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, so a visit won’t impact your limited student budget.  

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 cafe hidden among the trees! 

6. Tour Etihad stadium 

If you’re a football fan, you can’t pass up this opportunity while studying in the city! Home to Manchester City FC, Etihad Stadium is the tenth largest in the UK. Off-peak stadium tours cost just £18 for students (£23 for peak), so there’s no reason not to book one! 

If you’re a United fan, tours of the world-famous Old Trafford and a visit to the museum are £28 if booked in advance.  

7. Stroll around Fletcher Moss Gardens  

Located in Didsbury in South Manchester, 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 Instagram-able spots in the city, this botanical garden is the perfect place to showcase just how beautiful the UK can be! 

8. Buy something from 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.  

Of course, Manchester’s not just home to one amazing record store - there’s also Eastern Bloc Records, Vinyl Revival, and Vinyl Exchange for you to check out! 

9. Eat along the famous 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, desert bars and cafes. Whether you fancy some tasty Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi or Sri Lankan food, this is a must-visit destination.  

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

10. Marvel at the The John Rylands Library  

Home to around 200,000 books, this library was commissioned by Enriqueta Rylands in memory of her husband, John Rylands - Manchester's first multi­millionaire. 

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! 

All-inclusive student accommodation in Manchester  

If you’re looking for student accommodation in Manchester, UniHomes can help… 

We have a comprehensive landlord and letting agent network with all-inclusive student properties across the UK, including many properties in Manchester. Best of all, all the properties on our site includes water, broadband, TV License and uncapped energy* - giving you one less thing to think about! 

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.  

Contact us today to learn more about all-inclusive student accommodation or to look at properties for rent in your student city.  

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