Founded in 1824, the University of Manchester is a renowned public research university in Manchester, UK.  The 2026 QS World University Rankings place it sixth in the UK and 35th overall.

One of the biggest international communities and one of the best universities in the UK, the University of Manchester has more than 44,000 students, including over 10,000 international students from more than 160 countries.

The University of Manchester provides courses in a variety of academic areas and awards about 1,000 undergraduate, graduate, and research degrees.

The university is a top option for those looking to study in the UK since it upholds its tradition of offering top-notch instruction.

University of Manchester Campuses

One of the top public universities in the United Kingdom is the University of Manchester, which has two academic buildings: the Oxford Road Campus (South Campus) and the Sackville Street Campus (North Campus).

High-profile acts including Muse, Blur, Pink Floyd, Oasis, and Nirvana have performed at the renowned Manchester Academy, located on the Oxford Road Campus.  Both campuses have vibrant student life, historic structures, and a wealth of cultural activities.

An outline of the main features of both campuses may be seen below.

Oxford Road Campus (South Campus)

• Manchester Academy music venues: Student Union-run, four-tiered performance spaces (Academy 1–3, Club Academy).  It has hosted performances by well-known bands like Muse, Blur, Pink Floyd, Oasis, and Nirvana.
• The Steve Biko Building, which was renovated in 2012 and again in 2023, is the centre of SU’s social life and features student cafés, shops, food vendors, and a hair salon.
• On Oxford Road, the Pangaea Festival is the biggest student-run music and art fair in Europe. Celebrated three times a year, it draws about 6,000 people to celebrate exams and freshmen.
• A notable green gathering place, Alan Gilbert Square & Brunswick Park was established in 2018 and is tucked away amid important study locations.
• Open festivals like Universally Manchester, which feature corridor-wide cultural exhibits, and “Star Lectures” are examples of public cultural events.
• Moving Egyptian statues and live amphibian exhibitions are among the interactive programs offered by the Manchester Museum and Whitworth Art Gallery, two city centre galleries.

Sackville Street Campus (North Campus)

• Sackville Street Building: Built partially over a mediaeval church graveyard, the Sackville Street Building is a Grade II listed treasure with towering ceilings and elaborate stained glass. frequently likened to a “church of learning.”
• Godlee Observatory: One of only two papier-mâché domes still standing in the United Kingdom, this rooftop observatory features two Grubb telescopes that date back a century.
• Blue plaque tour: Important researchers, Nobel laureates, and social pioneers are commemorated with plaques located around the campus’s historic science buildings.

• Science festivals:
  • Public conversations held across departments are called “Pint of Science.”
  • The Confucius Institute hosts an annual dragon boat race.
  • Ball pools and citizen science initiatives like HookedOnMusic are features of the Manchester Science Festival.
• Bogle Stroll: Rag and North Campus clubs have long organised this student-run, charitable 55-mile walk across Greater Manchester.

University of Manchester Ranking 2025-26

The University of Manchester is consistently regarded as a top-tier establishment.  Manchester was placed 35th in the world for 2026 in the QS World Rankings.  It was ranked 53rd in THE World Rankings and 34th in the 2025 QS World Rankings the previous year.  In 2025, U.S. News ranked 68th, up from 67th in 2024.

Let’s examine Manchester’s ranks from the last three years:

University of Manchester Admissions 2025

For 2025 admissions, the University of Manchester received 2,305 applications from both domestic and foreign sources, comprising 1,601 domestic and 704 international candidates.

The university provides a variety of master’s, doctoral, and bachelor’s degree programs, each with unique requirements for coursework, language, exams, and visas. Fulfilling these requirements is necessary for an application to be accepted.

Here is a thorough examination of the prerequisites for admission:

Admission Requirements

To be eligible, applicants to the University of Manchester must fulfil certain academic, language, exam, and visa requirements.  All applicants must submit official transcripts to the institution that include their modules, courses, grades, and GPA or weighted average.

Depending on the program, the average IELTS score often falls between 6.0 and 7.0, though it varies by level.  To give processing time, visa applicants should submit their applications up to six months in advance.

Below is a thorough explanation of every prerequisite for admission:

Academic Qualifications

For postgraduate and transfer candidates, Manchester establishes certain academic requirements. On a 4.0 scale, a GPA of 3.0 is the minimum required, with 3.3 or above preferred. Candidates must possess an undergraduate degree, or its equivalent in another country, with at least a 2:2 honours classification.

The specific prerequisites for academic qualifications are as follows:

ELP Requirements

Level-specific requirements for English language skills vary; foundation courses accept IELTS scores as low as 6.0 overall, while undergraduate and graduate programs normally demand scores between 6.5 and 7.0. Master’s and LLM programs frequently require higher scores, such as TOEFL 100.

The average approved scores are as follows:

Competitive Exams

Manchester accepts a number of standardised tests with predetermined average scores for MBA programs and others.  For full-time MBA applicants, the average GMAT score is 600, and GRE scores are regarded as comparable.  An additional option for MBA admission is the MAT.

The usual average scores are as follows:

Visa Requirements

International students must enrol in full-time courses at the University of Manchester for a minimum of six months in order to be eligible for a student visa (previously Tier 4).

The application procedure normally takes three weeks, and applicants must submit their applications up to six months prior to the start of the course.  Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS) issuing requires financial proof of cleared funds.

The following are the main obligations and conditions for a visa:

University of Manchester: Programs and Courses

There are more than 700 undergraduate, graduate, and research programs available at the University of Manchester.  These programs cover a wide range of subjects, providing you with many choices to match your education to your professional objectives.

Manchester offers the following primary program categories:

• STEM Programs: These programs, which cover engineering, computer science, mathematics, and the natural sciences, place a strong emphasis on practical skills, research, and creativity.
• Law: Provides specialised postgraduate law degrees and LLBs, and has close connections to international legal networks and legal practice.
• Business and Economics: Includes Bachelors, Masters, and MBA programs focused on finance, management, and economics with global perspectives.
• Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences: Encompasses subjects like history, politics, languages, and sociology, with rich cultural and research opportunities.
• Health and Medicine: Nursing, medical, dental, and allied health courses that combine classroom instruction with clinical experience.
• Education and Social Work: Courses intended to get students ready for jobs in community development, social work, and teaching.

University of Manchester Program Fees

Program-specific tuition costs vary, however the Alliance Manchester Business School’s full-time MBA program costs £49,000 (INR 57.58L) each year. Because of their complex curriculum, science and technology courses like the MSc Artificial Intelligence cost £37,500 (INR 44.06L) annually.

This is a comprehensive list of the yearly tuition costs:

Cost of studying at the University of Manchester 2025

The price of attending the University of Manchester in the UK varies according to the level of the program.  Manchester’s doctoral research programs cost between £22,000 and £27,000 (INR 25.85L to INR 31.72L) annually, which reflects the investment in cutting-edge research and study.  The cost of tuition for bachelor’s and master’s degrees is determined by the academic requirements.

This is a thorough explanation of the yearly tuition costs:

University of Manchester scholarships for 2025

To help overseas students financially, the University of Manchester provides worthwhile study abroad scholarships. While the GREAT Scholarship waives the tuition fee for qualified master’s applicants, the Global Futures Scholarship awards £8,000 (INR 9.40L) annually for living expenses.

Let’s explore some of the most prestigious scholarships that the University of Manchester has to offer.

Internal Scholarships

To lower the expense of education, the University of Manchester provides a number of internal scholarships. Eligible undergraduate and graduate students can receive £8,000 (INR 9.40L) annually for living expenses through the Global Futures Scholarship.

Other scholarships, such as the GREAT Scholarship, relieve the financial burden for international applicants by waiving tuition fees of £10,000 (INR 11.75L).

Here are key internal fully-funded scholarships available:

External Scholarships

International students can receive full financial support from the University of Manchester through a number of esteemed external scholarships.  For example, the Chevening Scholarship is completely supported for qualified applicants and includes living expenses, tuition, and return flights.

Key external scholarships that are available are as follows:

University of Manchester Placement

According to the Graduate Market 2024 study, the University of Manchester ranks second overall, making it one of the UK’s most sought-after universities by employers.  One-on-one counselling, CV checks, and employer fairs with over 600 exhibitors and 20,000 participants per year are among services offered by the Careers Service.

Within six months of graduating, an astounding 94% of full-time first-degree graduates in the UK are either employed or enrolled in school.

Here are some excellent location data and corroborating details:

• One-on-one counselling, CV checks and practice interviews, the CareerConnect platform for internships and jobs, and company fairs with more than 600 exhibitors and 20,000 guests each year are all provided by the Careers Service to students and recent graduates.
• Ranking second in the Graduate Market 2024 survey and among the top 5 UK schools by employer reputation, the university is one of the most employer-targeted in the country.
• Within six months after graduation, 94% of full-time first-degree graduates in the UK were either employed or enrolled in school.

Top Recruiters at The University of Manchester

Leading companies in a variety of fields have close relationships with the University of Manchester.  These collaborations give graduates access to top-notch employment and overseas internship possibilities.

Manchester’s broad talent pool is actively sought after by many prestigious organisations, including Google, guaranteeing students access to exciting career pathways.

Some of the best recruiters and their main areas of focus are listed below:

• PwC: A world-renowned provider of professional services with positions in finance, auditing, and consulting.
• Siemens: Leading engineering and technology company hiring for management and STEM positions.
• KPMG: Global accounting and consultancy firm offering consulting, tax, and auditing possibilities.
• IBM: Tech behemoth with positions in data analytics, software development, and IT consulting.
• Deloitte: Offers financial advising, risk management, and consulting jobs.
• Amazon: A leader in cloud computing and e-commerce that hires for business, operational, and technology roles.
• Ernst & Young (EY): Provides jobs in transaction services, tax, advising, and assurance.
• Arup: International design and engineering firm hiring environmental, structural, and civil engineers.
• Goldman Sachs: Financial services and investment banking company with positions in technology, analytics, and finance.
• University of Manchester  NHS Foundation Trust: The largest NHS Trust in the area, it hires administrators and medical staff.

University of Manchester Alumni

With more than 500,000 graduates worldwide, the University of Manchester has made important contributions in a wide range of subjects. These illustrious people serve as a testament to the university’s rich history in the fields of science, the arts, leadership, business, and social impact.

The following list of prominent alumni includes their major accomplishments:

Conclusion

Anybody who wants to study in the UK may want to consider the University of Manchester because of its stellar academic record (QS World Ranking at 32), distinguished alumni, wide range of programs, top-notch facilities, globally recognised faculty, global connections, student support services, extensive research capabilities and opportunities, and high employability options.

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