I have really loved my time at Manchester and although it wasn't my first choice, I am glad I came here. Any issues are definitely more at the institutional level, with individual faculties generally being really great. It is a shame to see the way the faculties and academic staff are let down by the poor organisation of the uni as a whole; it is on this basis that I wouldn't definitively recommend. I think a lot of aspects of my enjoyment of the experience have probably been in spite of the university as an overarching institution, rather than because of it. If you are someone who feels they need a lot of individual support, I'd probably discourage you as from what I've seen and heard it is quite poor.

Pros: The history course at Manchester is genuinely great with so many interesting modules, which are generally really well taught. Cons: As is the case with studying history generally, tuition fees do not seem proportionate to the facilities at all and it is not the most employable degree. The course content and module options are incredible and from what I've seen, I think based on scope and flexibility, Manchester is probably one of the best history courses about. There are some many interesting specialisms of the different tutors within the faculty, with such a diverse range as well. Almost all modules have been really interesting, and any that haven't been I could've swapped out in to something better had I been bothered. As a university history courses goes I would really struggle to fault it. Contact hours are really low which is a let-down of the course, but this seems pretty standard for studying humanities at uni generally. If you want more contact, lecturers always have office hours where you can go speak to them, which I have always found to be very friendly and helpful. I think a lot of issues are really not specific to the history faculty at Manchester, mainly it is difficult to see where funding is going- clearly not to the lecturers, given their frequent striking (which is very understandable, and I sympathise with). It is clear that high tuition fees for humanities subjects exist purely to subsidise the sciences, who have much better facilities and more contact hours. If you are interested in the course for the love of the subject, I cannot recommend it more. However, if you see your degree as an economic investment and want some kind of value for money with it then I would avoid studying history.

Pros: The social life at Oak is unmatched and by far the best of any accoms at Manchester. Cons: It is a complete dump, and the price really does not reflect this. Oak House is really great if you want the proper uni experience, with loads of flat parties and social opportunities. It's also really ideally located close to the bus stop and all the amenities of Fallowfield. The shower's water pressure and temperature are weirdly very good. Met so many great people in Oak, It is also the cheapest accom which is nice, although even then its really not that cheap considering. UoM mre widely definitely have an accom problem, there is not enough for all first years to be allocated and it is skewed way more to the expensive side with vary few affordable options. I am told this is against countrywide guidelines on the % of accom which should be affordable. While the social life is unreal if you want a traditional party uni experience, if you don't I can imagine living in Oak being an actual hell. I had flat mates like this who were much more introverted and quiet, for them I got the impression living here was really difficult and negative. It is ridiculously dated and basic, very much prison vibes. There's definitely a type of person you meet at Oak, whilst the uni generally is really diverse there is very much an archetypal oak student- mainly just quite rah.

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