Manchester

To assist those of you who are currently considering applying to University in the UK we have put together a comprehensive guide to living and studying in the city.

We have taken data from the various University rankings to help you make a decision on which is the best University for you and we have asked current Manchester students to produce a comprehensive guide to living in the city.

If you have any questions about studying in Manchester contact us at support@ukguarantor.com

Higher Education

The two universities in Manchester are: University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University.

University of Manchester https://www.manchester.ac.uk/

University of Manchester occupies the following positions in the world ranking proposed by the various league tables:
 

 
UK Ranking 5:
 

• It has the second largest campus in the UK (c35000 students, out of which 34% are international students), after the conglomerate of universities in London.
• The level of student satisfaction is at 90%
• Subject wise, it ranks highest in the field of science (partly due to its research capabilities in this area) and the field of social sciences.
• It prides itself with the best and most successful business research centre in the UK.
• The league tables above rank University of Manchester as the 5^th or the 6^th university in the UK based on various criteria further explained below.

What the league tables say in more detail:

The Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) https://www.shanghairanking.com/

The University of Manchester is considered to be the 41^st university in the world with a total score of 33.6/100 and the 5^th university in UK.

In terms of subjects, University of Manchester is ranked the 13^th in Physics and the 30^th in the field of science, but above 50 in all other subjects/fields.

The ARWU ranks universities based on 4 major criteria, further split by categories:
 

Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings

Overall, the Times Higher Education World University Rankings places University of Manchester on the 56^th place in the world.

In terms of subjects and fields of study, University of Manchester is:
 

• Number 34 in the world in the social sciences field
• Number 40 in arts and humanities
• Number 37 in Engineering and Technology
• It ranks above between 50 and 60 in other subjects

The league table considers:
 

 
The main statistics on University of Manchester consist of:

• Number of students: 34,938
• % of international students: 34%
• Students to staff ratio = 15.3
• Female: Male ratio = 52:48

The Professional Ranking of World Universities (PRWU) https://www.cicerobook.com/en/home

This league table ranks university by a simple criterion, undeclared but verifiable: the number of alumni holding a post of chief executive officer or equivalent in one of the 500 leading international companies, at a particular time and with the data, (companies and company leaders) of the Fortune Global 500 classification. The last such survey was conducted in 2009 based on the companies included in Fortune Global 500 at the end of 2008.

University of Manchester ranks the 20^th higher education institution, with a score of 3 = the equivalent of having trained three CEOs.

Centre for World University Rankings https://cwur.org/

Based on this ranking, University of Manchester is the 67^th university in the world and the 6^th in the UK.

CWUR uses eight objective and robust indicators to rank the world’s top 1000 universities:
 

 
QS World University Rankings https://www.topuniversities.com/qs-world-university-rankings

Based on these criteria, University of Manchester ranks the 33^rd university worldwide and the 7^th in UK.

In terms of subjects and fields of study, University of Manchester is:

Number 3 in Development Studies

Number 35 in Social Sciences and This league table looks at 6 main criteria:
 

 
The National Student Survey https://www.thestudentsurvey.com/

The National Student Survey ranks universities based on students’ responses to a survey which assesses the following:
 

• the quality of teaching
• assessment and feedback
• academic support
• organization and management
• learning resources
• personal development
• overall satisfaction
• Student’s Union
• NHS Practice Placements

 
In the case of University of Manchester, student overall satisfaction is at 90%. A further analysis of the responses shows that students have answered with 4 or 5 (satisfied, very satisfied) at most of the questions evenly, with less students expressing dissatisfaction with the various factors included within the criteria.

Manchester Metropolitan University https://www2.mmu.ac.uk/

Manchester Metropolitan University occupies the following positions in the world ranking proposed by the various league tables:
 

Zoom in:

The University is an international leader in clothing design and technology, as the University was initially developed as a centre of Technology, Art and Design from Manchester Mechanics’ Institution (1824) and Manchester School of Design (1838).

44% of its students come from a low-income background – the university gives opportunity to thousands of able students.

It is one of the largest campus-based universities in the UK with a total student population of more than 28,000 students registered.

What the league tables say in more details:

Thhe Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) https://www.shanghairanking.com/

Manchester Metropolitan University is considered to rank above 500 as ARWU presents only the top 500 universities in the world and it does not include this university.

Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings

Overall, the Times Higher Education World University Rankings places Manchester Metropolitan University in-between 500 and 600.

The league table considers:
 

 
The main statistics on Manchester Metropolitan University consist of:
 

• Number of students: 28,037
• % of international students: 14%
• Students to staff ratio = 18.2
• Female: Male ratio = 57:43

 
The Professional Ranking of World Universities (PRWU) https://www.cicerobook.com/en/home

This league table ranks university by a simple criterion, undeclared but verifiable: the number of alumni holding a post of chief executive officer or equivalent in one of the 500 leading international companies, at a particular time and with the data, (companies and company leaders) of the Fortune Global 500 classification. The last such survey was conducted in 2009 based on the companies included in Fortune Global 500 at the end of 2008.

Once again, Manchester Metropolitan University is not mentioned in this table league, meaning that at the time of the research, no alumni from this university was holding a post of chief executive officer or equivalent in any of the companies considered.

Centre for World University Rankings https://cwur.org/

Based on this ranking, University of Manchester is the 885^th university in the world and the 64^th in the UK.

CWUR uses eight objective and robust indicators to rank the world’s top 1000 universities:
 

QS World University Rankings https://www.topuniversities.com/qs-world-university-rankings

Based on this league table, Manchester Metropolitan University appears to rank above 701 worldwide. No further information about this university is provided besides a general view on its history and size.

The National Student Survey https://www.thestudentsurvey.com/

The National Student Survey ranks universities based on students’ responses to a survey which assesses the following:
 

• the quality of teaching
• assessment and feedback
• academic support
• organization and management
• learning resources
• personal development
• overall satisfaction
• Student’s Union
• NHS Practice Placements

 
In the case of Manchester Metropolitan University, student overall satisfaction is at 85%, with 60 other universities ahead. A further analysis of the responses shows that students have answered on average with 4 (satisfied) at most of the questions, with very low percentages of students expressing dissatisfaction with the various factors included within the criteria.

Accommodation

Manchester is a student-friendly city with great, affordable accommodation both in the heart of the city and in nearby boroughs of Greater Manchester. With excellent public transportation, living outside the city centre is no problem at all! Despite being one of the major student cities, Manchester’s average rental price of £74 a week is surprisingly lower than the national average of £82.09!

The city centre is highly competitive, and therefore more expensive.  However, it does have a very high satisfaction rating. The location is perfect for students’ needs, as Piccadilly train station is on your doorstep and The Arndale just a stone’s throw away.

Most students in Manchester live in Fallowfield or Rusholme. With reasonable prices and  convenient location, it’s no wonder they are often considered the student hub of Manchester living.  Fallowfield is only a 30 minute walk from most of the universities, but buses also run every minute which can get you to campus easily and quickly! Manchester has plenty of private halls of residence, as well.

The surrounding villages are a great place to live if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of student life.  A longer bus trip is needed to get to Uni, but the journey would be less than an hour.  For example, Didsbury, though a little farther, has great links to the city centre, but offers a more community feel at about the same rates.  Chorlton is also expected to become a better place for students with its affordable prices and fairly recent metro links to the city centre that make it more accessible.

Nightlife

With a diverse social scene, Manchester has a fun night in store for anyone and everyone! There are a few hubs in the city that feature the best places to go for a night out.

Fallowfield/ Rusholme: If you’re looking for a ‘typical’ freshers’ night out, then Revolution might be the place for you! If you’re more of a pub-goer, then The Friendship Inn is the place to go! It serves typical pub food, has large screens perfect to watch football and is always a lively place. In the evening, it hosts everything from pub quizzes to stand-up comedy shows. It’s a great place for entertainment on a student budget.

City Centre: Along Oxford Road, you can find a variety of fun places for a night out without venturing too far from campus. The Footage is a great place to meet with friends to watch a football match and have a pint. They now have The Footage card that lets students gain points every time you buy a drink or some tasty food. Another great bar near Oxford Road station called The Font offers a funky style and cocktails starting at just £2. Next door is one of the five New York-inspired bars, Black Dog Ballroom, which also offers cheap drinks. Just around the corner is the Dog Bowl, where you’ll also find a 5-lane bowling alley! Temple, a converted public toilet transformed into a small but popular bar, is renowned for its huge array of beers. If you prefer to hit the club rather than a pub, check out 5^th Avenue for great deals all week.

If you’re looking to get dolled up and hit the dance floor,  Tiger Tiger or Deansgate Locks are the places for you! The clubs at Deansgate Locks are sure to offer something to any club-goer, with a variety of vibes and music that can appeal to a diverse group.

Manchester is proud of its LGBT heritage. The Gay Village is inclusive and welcoming, great for anyone who wants to experience more of Manchester’s culture, regardless of sexual orientation! The Village has over 25 bars and clubs scattered around Canal Street.  G.A.Y boasts £1.70 drinks Sunday to Thursday. Alter Ego gives us Poptastic nights on Tuesdays and Saturdays with cheap entry and shots for just 50p! Some other great places to visit on a night out are Queer, Baa Bar, New York New York and AXM.

Northern Quarter: The Northern Quarter is another lively part of Manchester, well worth a visit. Check out TV21, a television, film and music themed bar. It’s cheap and quiet during the week but becomes very busy on weekends. Walrus offers nice cocktails for a fiver during happy hour with live music performances.  Another great place, with its eccentric atmosphere and amazing murals on the walls, is the neon-glowing cocktail lounge NoHo. Terrace Bar is an awesome place to meet your mates with its bare brick walls, original wooden flooring and vintage school furniture.  Pick your tunes on the free jukebox at converted pawn shop Dusk till Pawn, or view the ever-changing  art displays at Kosmonaut, which boasts its own ping pong league! Whatever you like, you will find the perfect place for you in the Northern Quarter with its diverse, fun and unique pubs!

Places to Eat

On campus, there are many convenient cafes and canteens, perfect for a busy day at Uni. There are plenty of fast food chains along Oxford Road which are open 24/7, convenient after a night out or a late night study session!  For a bargain, the Couch Potato food truck outside of All Saints Park is good to grab a quick bite to eat, with hot dogs and hamburgers.  Across the street, you can get excellent takeaway at Abdul’s practically any time during the day! Their kebab sandwiches starting at about 3 quid are delicious and rather large portions, making them a great value! There are some nice sit-down restaurants on Oxford Road as well that are still friendly to student budgets, such as Kro Bar which is located just across the street from the University of Manchester Student Union.

The infamous Curry Mile, with over 100 takeaways, is perfect after a night out! Some of the best are Atlas Shawarma, Falafel, Raja’s and Beirut. However, The Curry Mile is not just a place for some late-night nosh. There are plenty of excellent restaurants to go for a curry with friends. Places such as Shahenshah, Haweli, and Mughli offer delicious food at affordable prices and lovely environment to sit and chat with friends.

Red Chilli offers amazing, authentic Chinese food (as cheap or as expensive as you like) in a beautiful setting – definitely recommended! Gorilla, located under the railway tracks, is also a student favorite. The place has the feel of a 1950’s space lab but has cheap, tasty food and great live music. As far as all you can eat buffets go, Red Hot World Buffet will exceed any expectations; with cuisines from around the world and different menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

If you like soup – perfect on a cold, wet Mancunian day – you have some great choices. SHLURP! Soup Bar and The Soup Kitchen pride themselves on fresh, seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients, which are prepared, cooked and sold on that day. Both offer great lunchtime food at cheap prices.

A visit to the Cornerhouse, which not only displays a delicious menu but also art exhibitions and small movie screens, is a must.  For a lovely  ‘English’ experience, the quaint Richmond Tea rooms is very pretty, with its traditional decor that allows you to sip tea and coffee or eat amazing cakes and sandwiches in style.

Manchester Culture: Must See’s & Must Do’s

Manchester’s flourishing cultural scene has an array of wonderful museums and galleries to check out. Whitworth Art Gallery and the Manchester Art Gallery are beautiful outside and inside. Manchester is also home to the Manchester Museum, Imperial War Museum North, Museum of Science and Industry, and the National Football Museum!

When you’re taking a break from Manchester’s nightlife, a great way to spend your night is in the theatres of Manchester. The Victorian Building of the Royal Exchange is stunning, with its marble pillars inside, suspended from which is a seven-sided glass structure where the shows are performed. This is an amazing, unique theatrical experience!

When you need a change of scenery but still have studying and revising to do, why not go to John Rylands Library? The environment will allow you to focus on your studies, but in one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. When you need a break from coursework and from the city life, just outside of Manchester are the rolling hills of the Pennines, some of the UK’s most picturesque countryside! A lovely excursion and fresh air is just a short train ride away.

Manchester has a lot to offer when it comes to shopping. The Arndale Centre, located in the city centre, is guaranteed to have whatever you need with over 200 shops! For even more shopping, you can travel to Stretford to visit the Trafford Centre which is not only a shopping centre, but also a leisure centre with a cinema, laser tag and so much more! If you want to check out some fun, quirky stores in addition to the major retailers, check out Luvybabes dress-up shop in the Arndale Centre or Afflecks Palace in the Northern Quarter. Starting in November, Manchester is taken over by its well-known Christmas Market. The market is bound to get you in the festive mood and lets you find a variety of gifts for loved ones!

No matter what your interests are, Manchester has something for you! With such a large student community, finding something fun to do is an easy task- whether it’s watching a football match in the pub or at the stadium with your mates or exploring the art and music scene. Manchester is a diverse, multicultural city, many more places to see, things to do, and restaurants to eat at than the ones described above, so make sure you go out and explore what the city has to offer you!

Where They Are: A-Z

5^th Avenue
121 Princess Street, M1 7AG

Afflecks Palace
52 Church Street, M4 1PW

Baa Bar
258 Wilmslow Road, M14 6JR

Black Dog Ballroom
Basement Affleck’s Palace, Church St, M4 1PW

Cornerhouse
70 Oxford Street, M1 5NH

Couch Potato Food Truck
Outside All Saints Park, Oxford Rd

Curry Mile
The nickname for the part of Wilmslow Road running through the centre of Rusholme in south Manchester

Dogs n Dough
75-77 High St, M4 1FS

Dusk till Pawn
Stevenson Square, Northern Quarter, M1 1FB

Etihad Stadium/City of Manchester Stadium
Etihad Stadium, Etihad Campus, M11 3FF

G-A-Y
Canal Street, M1 3WD

Gay Village Manchester
Canal Street, M1 3EZ

Gorilla
54-56 Whitworth St West, M1 5WW

Imperial War Museum North
Quay West, Trafford Wharf Rd, M17 1TZ

John Rylands Library
150 Deansgate, M3 3EH

Kosmonaut
10 Tariff St, M1 2FF

Kro Bar
325 Oxford Rd, M13 9PG

Manchester Art Gallery
Mosley St, M2 3JL

Manchester Museum
Oxford Road, M13 9PL

Mughli Restaurant + Charcoal Pit
30 Wilmslow Road, M14 5TQ

Museum of Science and Industry
Liverpool Rd, M3 4FP

National Football Museum
Urbis Building, Cathedral Gardens, Todd St, M4 3BG

NoHo
Stevenson Square, M1 1FB

Old Trafford
Sir Matt Busby Way, M16 0RA

Royal Exchange
St Ann’s Square, M2 7DH

Red Chilli
403 – 419 Oxford Road, M13 9WL

Red Hot World Buffet
48 Deansgate, M3 2EG

Revolution
90-94 Oxford St, M1 5WH

Revolution Fallowfield
311-313 Wilmslow Road, M14 6NW

Richmond Tea Rooms
15 Richmond St, Manchester M1 3HZ

SHLURP! Soup Bar
Unit 2 Brazenose House East, Brazennose Street, M2 5BP

Terrace Bar
43 Thomas Street, Northern Quarter Manchester

The Arndale
Market St, Manchester M4 3AQ

The Font
236-238 Wilmslow Road, M14 6LE & 7-9 New Wakefield Street, M1 5NP

The Footage
Grosvenor St, M1 7DZ

The Friendship Inn
353 Wilmslow Road, M14 6XS

The Soup Kitchen
31 – 33 Spear Street, M1 1DF

The Temple
100 Great Bridgewater St, M1 5JW

Tiger Tiger
27 Withy Grove, M4 2BS

Trafford Centre
 Management Suite, M17 8AA

TV21
10 Thomas St, M4 1DH

Whitworth Art Gallery
Oxford Road, M15 6ER