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Manchester is a bustling city, ideal for students looking for a lively and vibrant city experience. With two renowned universities, the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University, there are plenty of opportunities to find the perfect course in Manchester.
The city has a wealth of cultural attractions, from art galleries and theatres to music venues, so you’ll never be bored. There’s also an abundance of independent stores and big brand names to enjoy when shopping, plus plenty of delicious restaurants, pubs and cafes serving a range of cuisines from across the world. You can also take advantage of great outdoor activities such as parks or sports games, or simply soak up the atmosphere in one of Manchester's many quaint cafés.
If that hasn’t convinced you yet, here are our 18 reasons to make Manchester your uni home
1. Great educational opportunities
The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University offer hundreds of courses between them. Plus, the University of Manchester ranked in the top 30 UK universities according to Complete University Guide’s 2025 league tables, while Manchester Metropolitan University has recently invested £400 million into developing its teaching and research facilities.
2. Abundance of cultural attractions
Across the city, you’ll find art galleries, theatres, music venues, and more. Why not check out the Manchester Art Gallery, the Palace Theatre or the Night & Day Café?
3. Great shopping spots
Manchester has a great mixture of independent stores and big brand names to choose from. Many of the stores also offer student discounts, so make sure you take your student ID out with you to make the most of the bargains on offer.
4. Delicious food
Whether it’s a classic English fish and chips you’re craving, a veggie curry or a greasy burger, you’ll find it all in Manchester. There are hundreds of places to eat on offer, meaning there’s something to suit everyone no matter your budget.
5. Plenty of outdoor activities
If you’re more of an outdoors person, then Manchester has plenty to offer. You might want to check out Debdale Park, or if you want to travel further afield, go for a hike in the Peak District.
6. Quaint cafés
Sit back, relax, enjoy the city’s atmosphere. Get a coffee and do some of your course reading. A perfect afternoon if you ask us.
7. Top museums
The city is home to many museums including Manchester Museum, the Science and Industry Museum, the People’s History Museum and the National Football Museum. These cater to a range of different interests, so no matter what you’re into, you’ll find a museum for you.
8. Vibrant nightlife scene
There are lots of bars, pubs and clubs to discover. Whatever your vibe is – pub quiz, cosy cocktail bar, D&B hits in a club, there’ll be a night for you in Manchester. Popular student spots include The Liquor Store, Thirsty Scholar and FAC251.
9. Filming location
Manchester has been used as a filming location for several different TV shows and films. One of the most famous shows filmed in Manchester is Peaky Blinders. Although the show is meant to be set elsewhere, a fair bit of filming took place in Manchester, so you might spot some familiar backdrops around the city.
10. Friendly people and plenty of chances for networking
Not only are the local people friendly, there are also a lot of businesses based in Manchester. The unis in the city have careers events you can attend to network. You can also network without the support of your uni if you’re feeling brave, as there are plenty of local events you can attend to meet people at.
11. Diverse population
Manchester is known for being one of the UK’s most diverse cities. Here, you’ll meet people from all different backgrounds, and it’s also a popular destination with international students. This means there’s also loads of cultural events throughout the year, celebrating the multicultural population.
12. Easy access to transportation options
If you’re wanting to travel around the city and surrounding area, the local bus network is an easy and reliable way of getting around. For journeys further afield, the city’s main railway station, Manchester Piccadilly, has direct trains to cities including Sheffield, Liverpool and London. You can also get a train from the city centre to Manchester airport, so even international travel is a breeze.
13. Great job prospects
With lots of companies operating in the city, studying in Manchester not only offers you the chance to network, but to find graduate opportunities (possibly off the back of all your networking). There are lots of businesses with offices or headquarters in the city, meaning there are plenty of grad jobs going in a range of industries.
14. Variety of volunteering opportunities
Volunteering is a great way to add experience to your CV, and Manchester is a great city to do it. You could get involved through your university, or head down to the Volunteer Centre Manchester to check out the opportunities they’ve got on offer.
15. Birthplace of Rolls-Royce
It was at the Midlander Hotel in Manchester where Mr. Rolls and Mr. Royce met and decided to found their company, which has gone on to become one of the most famous automotive brands in the world.
16. Origins of famous musicians
Many musicians and bands have roots in Manchester, including Oasis, The Smiths, The Fall and Joy Division. So, keep your eye on any up-and-coming local bands, they might just be tomorrow’s rock stars.
17. Famous sports teams
The city is home to Manchester United Football Club and Manchester City Football Club for footie fans. As well as football, there are a lot of other sports played in the city including rugby, cricket and basketball.
18. Women’s rights movement
The suffragette movement began in Manchester. In 1903, Emmeline Pankhurst formed the Women’s Social and Political Union in the city. This organisation became the starting point of the Suffragette movement, which led to women being granted the vote.
Manchester is home to two renowned unis, the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University. The University of Manchester is one of the largest unis in the UK and offers a wide range of undergraduate degrees to its thousands of students. Manchester Metropolitan University also provides an array of higher education programmes and research opportunities, as well as dedicated employment services for graduates. The uni is well known for its strong focus on employability skills and has produced multiple successful business professionals from its alumni base. Both universities offer excellent academic standards combined with vibrant student life experiences.
Manchester is a great city for students, offering plenty of activities and attractions. Whether it’s enjoying the vibrant nightlife with its many bars, clubs and pubs, or trying out the delicious local cuisine, there’s something to do and explore. For culture lovers looking to visit some of Manchester's galleries or take in a show at one of its iconic venues, there's no shortage of options here. For those seeking outdoor leisure pursuits, Manchester has several parks and recreational areas to enjoy over the weekend such as Castlefield Urban Heritage Park or Whitworth Park. If you're up for a bit of shopping, head over to The Northern Quarter for eclectic boutiques and vintage stores. If you’re looking for a bustling city to make your home for the duration of your studies (and maybe even beyond), Manchester is the ideal choice.
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