UniHomes guide to

Manchester

Uni Life in Manchester

Student life in Manchester is vibrant and full of opportunities. Famous as the capital of the North, Manchester is a city bustling with action. With an incredible food scene, an abundance of cultural attractions, and plenty of shopping to get stuck into, students will be right at home while studying. Paying a visit to the Manchester Arndale, Printworks, and The Lowry are just a few of the things you can do to take a well-earned study break.
Student accommodation in Manchester is scattered right across the city. The city centre has plenty of edgy apartment buildings with on-site gyms, cinema rooms, and spots to socialise. Additionally, there are a number of larger shared homes towards the outskirts of the city, which can be found in the best student areas like Victoria Park and Fallowfield.

Key reasons to study in Manchester

  • 1
    Lots to do

    Manchester is the biggest city in the North and has a little bit of everything - there are always things to do. Whether your priority is places to study, affordable housing, excellent nightlife, shopping, culture and history, or anything really, you'll find it in Manchester. If you want a few budget activity ideas, be sure to explore Heaton Park, Manchester Art Gallery, the Science and Industry Museum, and Central Library completely free of charge.

  • 2
    Employment opportunities

    Manchester is the north of England's most economically powerful region, and many companies base their HQs or other significant offices in the city. Each university runs a graduate fair throughout the year, and there are always tons of jobs going. This is partially why more than half of graduates at Manchester universities stay in the city after graduation - to take that much-needed step onto the career ladder!

  • 3
    Huge student population

    The Greater Manchester district boasts four universities - the University of ManchesterManchester Metropolitan University, the University of Greater Manchester, and the University of Salford. That's well over 100,000 students across the four combined, so you won't be short of help with studies and friends to make! The high student population also means that you won’t find it hard to find student discounts and deals in the surrounding shops, bars, cafés, and nightclubs.

  • 4
    Transport links

    Our Manchester student guide wouldn't be complete without mentioning the network of trams, buses, and trains throughout the city. You'll always be able to get to where you need to go (no excuses for missing 9 AM lectures!). It's also extremely well-connected to other areas of the country through its national rail trains (mostly from Piccadilly station) and coaches. Additionally, Manchester Airport - a three-terminal international airport with flights to and from every continent - is perfect for international students.

  • 5
    Memorable music scene

    The incredible music scene is a big part of student life in Manchester. Dubbed 'Madchester' in the late 80s, the city has produced a bucket-load of famous bands and artists. From Oasis and the Stone Roses to the Smiths and Joy Division, it's safe to say there are some well-known names with Mancunian roots. The music scene remains vibrant, with numerous indie venues to discover and legendary festivals to attend.

  • 6
    A sporting culture

    University of Manchester student life can be sporty if you want it to be. Manchester is synonymous with football history, with the iconic Manchester United and the increasingly powerful juggernaut of Manchester City located within the city limits. The universities boast excellent sporting facilities of their own. There's also a host of other sporting activities available, from ice skating and trampolining to go-karting and even indoor skydiving.

There is so much to do in Manchester. You will find it difficult to not be busy! The night life is perfect for students if that is a priority as there are a huge range of clubs, bars and more to choose from. You will meet amazing people everywhere you go.

Dannielle L Brand Ambassador

Universities in Manchester

University of Manchester

Picture of University of Manchester

Part of the prestigious Russell Group of universities, The University of Manchester is the largest single-site university in the UK. The main campus is just to the south of Manchester City Centre, and is very easily accessible thanks to the major rail station nearby. In particular, the Manchester University Press is known globally for its excellent publications in the Humanities and Social Sciences fields.

Manchester Metropolitan University

Picture of Manchester Metropolitan University

Manchester Metropolitan University, or MMU, is a large university located on the south side of the city. It is ranked the number 1 most sustainable university in the UK and has been offering a huge range of courses to students since the 1800s. MMU is particularly well known for its vocational courses and high employment rates post-graduation.

University of Salford

Picture of University of Salford

Located over the River Irwin, Salford is one of Manchester's best-known suburbs, and is also home to the fantastic University of Salford. It's a red brick public research institute that welcomes almost 20,000 students annually. Students of the university usually live in the nearby suburb of Hulme.

Student Life in Manchester

The vibe of Manchester is very diverse and unique. There are so many types of people and things to do here, definitely something for everyone. The city has a buzz to it which makes it exciting and addictive.

Dannielle L Brand Ambassador

Frequently Asked Questions

We can’t fault it! Manchester has a great blend of nightlife, culture, sports, and excellent transport links - and with (literally) hundreds of thousands of students, there really is something for everyone. There are plenty of student-friendly neighbourhoods with affordable housing, reputable universities with outstanding facilities, and music venues to fill up every weekend. What more could you want?
The city is famed for its nightlife, with an impressive collection of bars, pubs and clubs lining the streets. Whether you're after a classy cocktail at Deansgate or a long night of dancing at Factory, there's something for everyone among Manchester's selection. Particular highlights include budget cocktails at Dirty Martini and underground bands and artists playing at Night & Day Cafe.
Students at both the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University often live in the city centre, on campus, and in Fallowfield, although they will also be right at home in Rusholme. This vibrant student hotspot surrounds Wilmslow Road - Manchester's famous Curry Mile. Jam-packed with takeaways, eateries, restaurants, and world food markets, this area is the place to be.
October is the best time to start looking for student accommodation in Manchester. Properties will be available until February, but we would recommend starting a search for a property during the autumn. The most popular student areas in Manchester include Fallowfield, Withington and Rusholme.
UniHomes has a property search tool which displays hundreds of student properties in Manchester, all with bills included. Sign up to our mailing list so that you can be notified of new properties going live.
Tenancy periods in Manchester usually last for 12 months. Most contracts will start on the 1st July and end on the 30th June the following year. Occasionally, letting agents may offer tenancy periods that last for 10 or 11 months, starting in August or September. You can always enquire with the letting agent to find out how long your contract length will be.
Deposits are usually either 4 or 5 week's rent. The maximum legal amount a landlord can charge your for a deposit is 5 week's rent. You’ll get your deposit back when you move out of the property. That said, if the landlord is still owed outstanding rent or needs to pay for repairs to damage within the property, they may take deductions from the deposit to cover the costs.
UniHomes accommodation in Manchester usually costs £121 – £393.99 per person, per week. This price includes the cost of all bills you'll need to pay, which you won't always see on other student accommodation websites. Check out the full range of student accommodations available in Manchester.

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