Student experience at Alliance MBS

The University of Manchester has more university-owned accommodation than virtually any other university in the country, with more than 8,000 rooms - almost all of which are within two to three miles of campus.

We guarantee all new full-time undergraduate students a place in University accommodation (subject to conditions) and we have a limited range of postgraduate-only halls.

Find out more on the University's Accommodation site >>

In addition to the University’s accommodation, Manchester has lots of private accommodation for rent. You can get further details from the University’s only approved housing bureau, Manchester Student Homes.

The University of Manchester Library is widely recognised as one of the world’s great research libraries.

The breadth and depth of its electronic and traditional resources make it one of the best-resourced academic libraries in the UK. The library’s Business Data Service gives you access to one of the UK’s most comprehensive collections of specialist financial and business databases that are used by top researchers around the world. These include Bloomberg, Datastream, Thomson ONE, Compustat, WRDS, Capital IQ plus many more.

The Alan Gilbert Learning Commons is a new £24m state-of-the-art study and learning centre with flexible study spaces throughout and is very popular among our students.

Find out more about the library and study facilities >>

Take advantage of the University's excellent sporting facilities to keep fit and healthy, and give yourself a break from study.

On campus there are three fitness suites, two 50-metre swimming pools, and loads of indoor courts and outdoor pitches; all with discounted rates for students. There are also more than 40 Athletic Union sports clubs to join that cater for all levels, from beginners to elite athletes.

Find out more about sport and well-being >>

The University of Manchester’s Students’ Union is run by students, for students. The biggest students’ union in the UK, it will provide you with the space, resources and support to make the most of your time at University.

With more than 300 societies offering everything from knitting to scuba diving, you’re sure to find the right society for you. If there isn’t, you’ll get help to create your own. Manchester’s student media outlets are some of the best in the country and include the long-standing Mancunion newspaper, Fuse FM radio station and Fuse TV channel. There are numerous volunteering opportunities through the Student Action programme, including mentoring young people and working with homeless people and the elderly.

Find out more >>

Whatever the issue - financial, academic, personal or administrative - we have experienced and sympathetic people, support groups and advice centres to help you.

The University runs one of the largest peer support schemes in Europe and we give you access to academic advisers, Residential Life (ResLife) advisers and counsellors. We also provide specialist support to international students, those with disabilities and those with children.

Find out more about student support >>

Stel•li•fy (verb) 
To change, or be changed, into a star

The University of Manchester gives you the opportunities to do more and be more. We call it Stellify. It’s about broadening your horizons, understanding the issues that matter, and stepping up to make a difference to the local and global community.

Find out more about Stellify >>

Manchester has a long and proud history as a trendsetter in music, art and culture which continues through to the present day.

Birthplace of The Smiths, The Stone Roses, Oasis and Take That; a tour date in Manchester is almost guaranteed for every act. There are gigs and club nights - large and small – to suit all tastes taking place each day of the week. Fans of stage and screen are also well-catered for with a number of theatres throughout the city.

There are several fascinating museums to visit to discover more about Manchester’s history, get an insight into Manchester’s future and to appreciate some amazing art. This is complemented by the many festivals, continental markets and events which bring a cultural buzz to the city.

Launched in 2007, the Festival is held every two years and has commissioned, produced and presented world premieres by artists as diverse as Björk, Steve McQueen, Robert Wilson, Wayne McGregor, Maxine Peake, The xx, Zaha Hadid Architects, Damon Albarn, Punchdrunk, Elbow and Marina Abramović, among many others.

Find out more about Manchester International Festival >>

Manchester is a sport lover’s paradise, and not just because it’s home to two leading football clubs, Manchester United and Manchester City.

The National Cycling Centre at SportCity is home to the British Cycling team which enjoyed great success at the recent London and Rio Olympics. Also at Sportcity are excellent tennis, squash and athletics facilities

If Cricket is your thing, the Emirates Old Trafford ground is home to Lancashire County Cricket Club and also hosts major international fixtures. If you're a fan of winter sports, Chill Factore have the UK’s longest indoor real snow skiing and snowboarding slopes. For followers of rugby there are leading clubs from both league and union codes in the region.

The city has a multicultural mix of restaurants with cuisine to suit all tastes.

As a multicultural city there are opportunities to try food and drink from across the globe. Manchester’s Chinatown and famous ‘Curry Mile’ provide the Asian flavours, while there’s amazing Mexican, Brazilian, Italian, American, Icelandic, African, Lebanese, Portuguese and Spanish restaurants throughout the city. Not forgetting classic and modern British cuisine too!

Manchester is a hugely popular shopping destination with retail outlets to suit every budget.

The city centre has it all from premium department stores such as Selfridges and Harvey Nichols; designer labels on King Street; high street brands on Market Street and in the Arndale; and independent shops in the Northern Quarter. Affleck's is the place to go if you’re looking for an alternative shopping experience.

Located just a short journey from the city centre, The Trafford Centre is the second largest shopping centre in the UK.

Manchester has fantastic public transport links making it easy to get around the city, the UK and beyond.

Trains, trams and buses help you to get around the city and there’s a new network of cycle lanes running through the University into the city. Manchester’s road and rail links mean that the rest of the UK is within easy reach and Manchester Airport has flights to more than 200 international destinations if you want to explore further afield.

• 45 minutes from Liverpool and Leeds (road)
• 1.5 hours from the Lake District (road)
• 2 hours from London (rail)
• 3.5 hours from Edinburgh (rail)
• 2.5 hours from Barcelona (air)
• 8 hours from New York (air)
• 13.5 hours from Singapore (air)

Download the Manchester city map (PDF) >>
Download the campus map (PDF) >>