Student guide to Manchester

Check upcoming open days and book your place

CONTENTS

Student activities in Manchester
Nightlife in Manchester
Student accommodation in Manchester
Transport in Manchester
Student costs in Manchester
What Manchester is known for
Universities in Manchester

Student activities in Manchester

Manchester has a huge student population and the city is jam packed with things to do, no matter your interests.

If you’re a culture vulture, The Lowry hosts a range of art exhibitions, theatre, music, comedy and dance and offers great student discounts on tickets. The city is also home to some great museums, including the Science and Industry Museum, the People’s History Museum and the National Football Museum.

If you’re into the outdoors, Debdale Park is one of the biggest green spaces in the city and the ideal place for a stroll in between lectures. Nearby, the Peak District is perfect for a weekend hike.

Check out our guide to the top 10 things to do in Manchester

Nightlife in Manchester

The nightlife in Manchester needs to cater to over 100,000 students, so you can be sure there’s a whole variety of bars, pubs and clubs to discover. Mint Lounge is a student favourite, with infamous weekly funk and soul nights, student drinks deals and live music. The Liquor Store throws rock ‘n’ roll parties every night until 3am, and the Thirsty Scholar is a lively pub with a plant-based menu and live music.

Speaking of live music, Manchester is known worldwide for its thriving music scene. Countless famous artists and bands have their roots here – Oasis, The 1975 and Joy Division, to name a few. There are loads of excellent gig venues to check out, including Manchester Arena which hosts some of the world’s top acts, and Manchester Academy, located on the University of Manchester campus.

Student accommodation in Manchester

Manchester has a range of accommodation available for students and is relatively affordable compared to other big cities like Edinburgh and London. Both universities in Manchester have halls of residence across the city, the cost of which will depend on the type of room you have. For example, a single en-suite bedroom at the University of Manchester starts at £115 a week. Most halls also have access to laundry and a common room or games room.

You can also rent privately – a studio apartment in the city centre will cost you about £900 each month. You could rent a room in a shared house with other students, which will be around £560 a month. Rental prices are cheaper the further out of the city centre you look.

If you stay in halls, your WiFi costs and utility bills will be included in the price. If you rent privately, you’ll need to budget an extra £60-70 a month to cover these.

Transport in Manchester

Manchester is home to one of the busiest bus routes in Europe, but don’t let that put you off! The city’s transport links make it well connected across the UK and beyond. You can get to London by train in just two hours, and other major cities such as Liverpool, Leeds and Sheffield are in easy reach. It’s a good idea to buy a 16-25 Railcard, as this gives you 1/3 off your train fares.

Manchester Airport is one of the busiest airports in the country and is easily accessible from the city centre by train or bus. It offers flights to 199 destinations, so if you’re looking to book a trip overseas you’ve got plenty of options.

The city centre itself has a range of public transport options to help you get about, including trains, buses and trams. The tram network makes it quick and easy to get out to the airport or explore different parts of Greater Manchester. A one way ticket is around £2.25 and a monthly pass is £70. There are also a number of walking and cycling routes across the city, and many students prefer to get around this way.

Student costs in Manchester

We recommend budgeting around £900 each month on top of your tuition fees while you’re studying in Manchester. This will vary depending on your individual lifestyle and where you choose to shop.

There are plenty of big food stores in Manchester, including low-cost outlets like Lidl or Aldi, as well as local markets where you can pick up a bargain. On average, you can expect to pay £1.10 for a litre of milk, £1.15 for a loaf of bread, £1.68 for a kilogram of rice and £2.35 for a dozen eggs.

Eating out can be done on a student budget. An average inexpensive meal costs £15, but cheaper options can be found at takeaways or cafes. The average pint costs about £4.50, but as a student you’ll be able to get drinks deals and entry discounts so you can have a night out that doesn’t break the bank.

There are plenty of free things to do in the city, including parks, museums and galleries. You might also want to join a free club or society at your uni, although this may come with additional costs for trips or equipment. Your course might require you to spend a bit of money on books or materials too, so remember to factor all this in when planning your budget.

Find out more about the cost of living as a student in Manchester

What Manchester is known for

Manchester is well known internationally as a city of sport. It’s home to the iconic football clubs Manchester United and Manchester City and their famous stadiums. As well as football, you can catch the Sale Sharks in a Rugby Union game, watch cricket at Lancashire County Cricket Club or try out the city’s Velodrome, Aquatics Centre or Athletics Arena.

Universities in Manchester

Manchester is home to two universities, both offering a great educational experience.

The University of Manchester ranked 17th out of 130 UK universities in the Complete University Guide’s 2023 league tables. It scored highly for its research quality and graduate prospects, and is a member of the esteemed Russell Group. The uni was also the first in the UK to set social responsibility as a core goal, meaning it’s committed to enriching society and the environment through all activities.

Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) has a strong focus on employability. Many undergraduate courses offer plenty of industry links and work experience opportunities. The campus is close to the city centre, and it’s also known as one of the UK’s greenest unis.

If you’re still deciding where to study, why not book onto an open day to visit in person? And if you’re still deciding on a course, take a look at what’s on offer at MMU or the University of Manchester.

Our cookies

Privacy overview

Manage consent preferences

Research and Prep

Student guide to Manchester

Similar articles

Student guide to the West Midlands

Student guide to the East Midlands

Student guide to South West England

Student guide to South East England

YOUR UCAS POINTS 0