Manchester is a metropolis located in the north-west of England. In addition to four prestigious universities, this city offers access to world-class education, convenient accommodation options, a variety of courses, scholarships and much more. Its multicultural population welcomes international students with open arms. Did you know that Manchester is the third most visited city in the UK for international students? If you want to be part of this group, you are in the right place. This blog provides a beginner’s guide to studying abroad in Manchester, including everything from scholarships to visa requirements and more!
Why study in Manchester?
Manchester is one of the best student cities in the UK . It is the second most populous city in the United Kingdom, surrounded by hills on one side and countryside on the other. As well as being home to two of the world’s biggest football teams – Manchester United and Manchester City – Manchester is also known as an educational hub for international students. Here are the reasons why you should consider studying in Manchester:
- Student Friendly City : Manchester has a huge student population of 41,000 international students. Consequently, you will find food and things native to your country almost everywhere. Even the locals are friendly and will help you with everything.
- City of Invention : The first public library, a meat-free diet and a football league are all thanks to the city of Manchester. Why wouldn’t you want to study in Manchester, where the atom was first split?
- Close connections : If you study in Manchester, you have close connections to several countries in the UK. It is just 2 hours from London and a short bus ride from major cities such as Bristol, Birmingham etc. Manchester Airport is one of the UK’s busiest airports, connecting to 199 destinations around the world.
- Culture : The music and drama scene while studying in Manchester is sure to spoil you! Every weekend you’ll find top artists performing at the Manchester Arena and in local restaurants offering multi-cuisine menus to suit all cultures.
YouTube: Machester Metropolitan University
Read Also: 15+ Scholarships for Indian Students to Study in UK
Top Universities in Manchester
Manchester has universities that offer comprehensive development to international students, preparing them for the corporate world. Best Universities to Study in Manchester for International Students:
- Manchester University
YouTube: University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is ranked 34th in the 2025 QS World University Rankings. It is part of the Russell Group of Universities and is considered the UK’s top university for social impact. The University of Manchester welcomes international students from over 160 countries. The acceptance rate is 70.4% as of 2021, and this public research university has 25 Nobel laureates enrolled. John Dalton, Ernest Rutherford, Alan Turing and Benedict Cumberbatch are just a few of the names on the list of distinguished alumni.
- Manchester Metropolitan University
YouTube: Manchester Metropolitan University
Manchester Metropolitan University or Manchester Mets is a leading public university that is also the second largest applied university in the UK. The acceptance rate at MMU is over 80%. Manchester Metropolitan University is ranked 601-610 in the QS World University Rankings 2025. Sarah Jane Burton, creative director of Alexander McQueen, is a graduate of Manchester Metropolitan University.
- Royal Northern College of Music
The Royal Northern College of Music is one of the 4 leading music schools in the UK. The College has a rich history and is one of the busiest and most diverse public performance venues in the UK. He specializes in composition, popular music, keyboards, strings, operatic vocals, brass, brass and percussion.
- University of Salford
YouTube: University of Salford
The University of Salford is a public university in Greater Manchester. It was ranked 901 to 950 in the 2025 QS World University Rankings. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was the first Chancellor of the University of Salford. He is a founding member of the Northern Consortium of UK Universities.
Read also: 13+ cheapest UK universities in 2024
Best courses to study in Manchester
Manchester is the educational center of Great Britain, offering courses in almost all subjects of study. Whether it’s music, drama, engineering, aerospace, languages, science, management or business, Manchester universities offer it all! Here are the best courses to study in Manchester:
| Universities in Manchester | Popular courses to study in Manchester |
| Manchester University | American Studies Biological Sciences Civil Engineering Chemistry Engineering East and South Asian Studies Iberian Languages Marketing Medicine Middle East and African Studies Nursing Pharmacy |
| Manchester Metropolitan University | Architecture Library Management Food Science Materials Science Sports Science Education Information Management |
| Royal Northern College of Music | Bachelor of Music (Hons) Popular Music Master of Music Master of Performing Arts PhD in Composition PhD in Musicology PhD in Music Education and Pedagogy PhD in Performing Arts |
| University of Salford | Engineering Sciences Business Administration Arts Management |
Read also: Short-term courses in the UK
Tuition fees in Manchester
Studying in Manchester is much cheaper than in London. Rent in Manchester is 54.51% cheaper than in London, as are food, travel and utilities.
Tuition fees in Manchester are listed below:
| Type of expenses | Estimated cost |
| Tuition fee | £1800 – £3700 |
| IELTS | £1300 – £1400 |
| TOEFL | £1200 – £1400 |
| GMAT | £1100 – £1300 |
| UK Tier 4 visa application fee | £2200–2800 |
Worried about IELTS? Take a demo class with experts and learn the coolest ways to pass your exam in one sitting!
Cost of living in Manchester for students
Did you know that Manchester has earned the title of ‘Britain’s best city to live’ in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s global living conditions survey? Well, this is because living in this city is comparatively 32% cheaper than living in London.
| Type of expenses | Average Cost (Indian Rupee) |
| Accommodation | £600 – £800 |
| Food | £700–900 |
| Transport | £450–600 |
| Utilities | £46–80 |
| Cloth | £30–40 |
| Leisure | £30–70 |
All expenses listed above are general expenses, but you can find your personal expenses using Leverage Edu’s Cost of Living Calculator in just a few seconds!
Scholarships to study in Manchester
Studying in the UK can be expensive due to high tuition fees and higher monthly living costs. But with the help of the following scholarships, you can reduce your financial stress and have a worry-free study in Manchester:
- BIG scholarships
- Global Future Scholarships
- Chevening Scholarships
- Commonwealth Scholarships
Read also: Fully Funded Scholarships in the UK: Full details here
Visa requirements to study in Manchester
If you want to study at the University of Manchester, you will need to apply for a visa. There are different types of visas that are suitable for different courses such as:
- Student visa Tier 4 (general)
- You can apply for a Tier 4 visa up to 6 months before the start of your studies if you have been offered a place on a course.
- You can speak, read, write and understand English.
- Short-term study visa
- You can apply for this visa if your course duration is between 6 and 11 months.
Career prospects in Manchester
Now that you’ve read this far, let’s explore the career prospects of studying in Manchester for international students.
- The employment rate of Manchester university graduates is 94-96%, meaning that almost all Manchester university graduates either find employment or continue their studies within 6 months of graduating.
- Studying in Manchester opens up great career opportunities for you.
- You could work in Manchester or the UK where demand for work in your field is high.
- The average salary after graduating from Manchester universities is INR 22 lakh per annum.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to study in Manchester?
The cost of studying in Manchester depends on various factors such as the university, courses, tuition fees and accommodation. However, the estimated total cost of studying in Manchester for an international student can range from £19,000 to £42,000 per year.
Is Manchester a good place to study?
Absolutely. Manchester is widely known as an up-and-coming city and an ideal choice for international students. Prestigious universities, rich experiences, ease of accommodation and many opportunities attract hundreds of students every year.
Why is Manchester good for international students?
Manchester is a metropolis in the north-west of England. It is known for its warm and welcoming nature, as well as its multicultural environment, which makes students feel comfortable and comfortable in their new surroundings. Moreover, you get numerous opportunities to get a quality education at prestigious universities and build a successful career.
Interested in studying in Manchester, London or any UK city? Call Leverage Edu on 1800-572-000 and book your first free consultation to find out which UK student city is best for you!
