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Curated and written by
Iona Leaf
AFS City Guide Content Creator
The complete student guide to Manchester
8 min read·Last updated: 8 April 2026
“Detroit slims do great pizzas, the Grosvenor do amazing bingo nights as well as a great atmosphere on football match days for any football fans. The student union is also a really good place to socialise play pool and darts."
Why study in Manchester
It’s a place where you feel welcomed
Being one of the most inclusive and accessible cities in the UK, Manchester celebrates diversity, promotes the idea that everyone is welcome and protects safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community. Gay Village is a must for any visitor to Manchester, alongside hosting a series of bars and clubs, The Village is also known for holding famous events – the most popular being Manchester Village Pride. More recently, Manchester has proudly hosted Sparkle, the national transgender celebration weekend in July.
Nationally recognised for its high standard of education
Being a part of the Russell Group, the University of Manchester is labelled as a “powerhouse” of research and discovery. Among former staff and students, 26 Nobel laureates have been awarded and the university itself was ranked fifth for research power. The Complete University Guide 2026 also shows UoM to be ranked as the 20th hardest UK university to get into with the university’s general guidance noting that most degrees ask for at least AAA-ABB at A Level (ultimately depending on the course of application.)
Open to international students
Greater Manchester has the largest international student population out of all higher education institutions outside of London with over 21,00 international students from more than 160 different countries. On top of that, the city is slightly more attractive to international students due to being more affordable than London despite hosting plentiful opportunities as well as a vibrant multicultural, music, and sports scene. All of this being the reason Manchester is considered to be one of the UK’s best student-friendly cities.
One of the top UK nightlife spots
Manchester has it all, no matter what you’re looking for. Pubs on every street, Wetherspoons’ to match, and a host of bars and clubs to make sure the night lasts forever.
Every student’s rite of passage includes a night in MCR Lounge where a deal on drinks is pretty much always guaranteed. Just off Oxford Road is another student hot-spot, The Courtyard. Busy, lively, and great music, and as they say, “with cocktails from £2.70 and beer from £2.90, how can you go wrong?”
Key facts about Manchester
Student life in Manchester
Life in the city: Student highlights
Cost of living in Manchester
Wondering how much it costs to live in Manchester as a student? We’ve broken down typical monthly expenses and compared them to the national average, so you can plan your budget with confidence.
| Expense | Manchester average | National average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (monthly) | £845 | £907.91 | £62.917% less |
| Utilities (monthly) | £106 | £111.91 | £5.915% less |
| Bus pass (monthly) | £40 | £62.64 | £22.6436% less |
| Groceries | £15.57 | £15.26 | £0.312% more |
| Gym pass (monthly) | £36.33 | £35.63 | £0.702% more |
| Takeaway coffee | £3.60 | £3.62 | £0.021% less |
Rent (monthly)
- Manchester average
- £845
- National average
- £907.91
- Difference
- £62.917% less
Utilities (monthly)
- Manchester average
- £106
- National average
- £111.91
- Difference
- £5.915% less
Bus pass (monthly)
- Manchester average
- £40
- National average
- £62.64
- Difference
- £22.6436% less
Groceries
- Manchester average
- £15.57
- National average
- £15.26
- Difference
- £0.312% more
Gym pass (monthly)
- Manchester average
- £36.33
- National average
- £35.63
- Difference
- £0.702% more
Takeaway coffee
- Manchester average
- £3.60
- National average
- £3.62
- Difference
- £0.021% less
“There are a lot of students in the city from all over the country so it has a very vibrant culture and lots of opportunities to make new friends and connect with like-minded people.”
Universities in Manchester
Manchester Metropolitan University
Manchester Metropolitan University traces its origins back to the Manchester Mechanics Institute and the Manchester School of Design which formed Manchester Polytechnic in 1970.
Read guide →
University of Manchester
The University of Manchester can trace its origins back to 1851 and is one of the leading universities in the UK.
Read guide →Getting around Manchester
Manchester has a vast network of transport links – some of which are entirely free! Meaning that getting to and from campus isn’t just easy but it is also affordable.
Buses
Buses are the most popular option amongst students due to affordability and regularity. There is also a free bus service (147) link that goes from Piccadilly Station to the University of Manchester campus.
The Bee Network is powered by Transport for Greater Manchester and offers a variety of different ticket options, including Bee Bus Student term tickets and students (up to the age of 26) and young people (up to the age of 21) can also a buy cheaper 7-day or 28-day Bee AnyBus Ticket.
Cycling
Students can cycle safely through the city, with most of the campuses having bike storage facilities available. The University of Manchester even has an interactive map to show you where there are available facilities.
Walking
If you would prefer to save money or just prefer to walk, Manchester is considered to be a walkable city, you’re never too far away from a campus, a form of student accommodation, or a supermarket. You won’t struggle to get your steps in as a student here.
Metrolink
The nearest tram stops to University of Manchester are located at Deansgate and St Peter’s Square, both of which are just a 20-25-minute walk from campus.
Trains
The University campus is just a short walk from three of the city's main train stations:
Manchester Piccadilly – a 20-minute walk or a brief journey on the free 147 bus.
Manchester Oxford Road – a 15-minute walk.
Manchester Victoria – a 40-minute walk.
Rail passes are also available which will save you a third off tickets (16-25 Railcard), costing just £35 for one year of £80 for the full three years of your study.
Life after uni
Manchester is one of the most vibrant cities for job opportunities in the UK, particularly dominating in areas of technology, finance and digital or creative media.
Here are some key facts about employment prospects in Manchester:
Key industries
MediaCity UK, is the UK’s leading hub for media and creative roles and their demands for talent within the tech sector are in demand here. Employment rates
Manchester is a fast growing city and likewise so is its job market, the ONS reports a 71.4% employment rate and is “forecast to have one of the fastest job growth rates in the UK” with its annual increase of 1.3% each year from 2025-28. Average wage for graduates
According to Save The Student, starting salaries for graduates can range from £21,000 to £30,000 in Manchester.
Some of Manchester's biggest graduate employers
Accommodation for every student
halls
28 properties
Avg. £218/week
houses
350 properties
Avg. £163/week
flats
175 properties
Avg. £225/week
studios
96 properties
Avg. £287/week
Latest properties in Manchester
IL
Curated and written by
Iona Leaf
AFS City Guide Content Creator
Iona graduated in 2025 with a BA (Hons) in Journalism and is a part of our City Guide student content creator team.
