Best university cities manchester
Starting university is a big deal, and the city you choose can make a big difference. At Greene King, we’re continuing to take a look at some of the best student cities in the UK, and this time it’s all about Manchester.
Manchester truly is an iconic city to spend your student years. Great unis, good places to live, plenty to do, and more than a few decent pubs to enjoy along the way. Whether you’re heading here for your first year or thinking about applying, we’ve pulled together a handy guide to student life in the city, including just a few of the best student pubs in Manchester.
The universities: A city of opportunities
There are two main universities in Manchester city centre:
- The University of Manchester
- Manchester Metropolitan University
The University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is one of the largest and most popular universities in the UK. It’s currently ranked 22nd in the country, and is known for its Social Sciences, Business, Economics, Engineering, Arts and Humanities, and Medical and Health faculties. The university is famous for creating the world’s first nuclear reaction and building the modern computer. The campus is about 10 minutes from the city centre by bus, too, so you’re close to all the action.
Manchester Metropolitan University
Manchester Met stands out for its strong career focus, diverse student community, and commitment to innovation and research. A new centre of excellence for sports research was opened in 2022, whilst it also attracts students studying STEM subjects, creative arts, business and marketing. The campus is close to the city centre, and the uni’s known as one of the greenest in the country.
Just up the road in Salford, you’ve got the University of Salford — another solid option, especially for students into creative courses like animation, fashion, journalism or interior design. The campus is around a 20-minute walk from Manchester city centre, so it still feels well-connected.
The best of both worlds: Choose the best city for university life
Beyond studying, Manchester is a brilliant place to live in general. With two major universities and loads going on day and night, it’s no surprise the city’s a firm favourite with students from all over the UK.
Catch a gig at Manchester Academy or the Deaf Institute, explore the history of the area at Manchester Museum, cheer on City or United, or head to Fallowfield for a classic student night out. You’ll also find some of the best student pubs in Manchester, the perfect place to catch up with mates after lectures, workshops and library sessions.
Let’s take a closer look at why Manchester is one of the best university cities in the UK.
Affordable living
Manchester’s a student city through and through, and it won’t break the bank either. There are loads of popular areas to live, each with something different to offer, and most come with a solid mix of reasonably-priced accommodation, good transport and great nightlife:
- Fallowfield: This is the most popular student area and is perfect for freshers and second-year students. Fallowfield is full of affordable student accommodation, and there are loads of bars and restaurants catering to students with great discounts. It’s a 30-minute walk or 15-minute bus ride from Manchester Uni, and 40 minutes on foot or 20 minutes on the bus to Manchester Met.
- Hulme: Quieter than Fallowfield and a bit more chilled. Great for third and fourth years who want a slower pace but still need to get into uni quickly. There are still a few student-friendly pubs and cafés, just without the full-on party scene.
- Rusholme: Located on the city’s famous Curry Mile, Rusholme is one of the most affordable areas for students in terms of eating out, drinking and accommodation. Plus, it’s just 10 minutes on foot and a short bus ride to Manchester Uni. Manchester Met is a little further away – 25 minutes on foot and 15 minutes on the bus.
- Oxford Road: Ideal if you want to roll out of bed into lectures, but it’s a little more expensive than other student areas as you’re getting closer to the city centre. It’s just a five-minute walk to either Manchester Uni or Manchester Met’s campus.
Aside from halls of residence, a lot of the student accommodation in Manchester consists of shared houses. This is often the case in places like Fallowfield, Hulme and Rusholme. You can pay anything from £94 to £170 per week for a room in a shared house, depending on the area and the house. There are flats available too, which is often a more expensive option – a one-bedroom flat in Fallowfield could cost you around £219 per week. Halls of residence tend to be around £150 to £250 per week.
As for nights out, you can make your money go a long way. Bars in the Northern Quarter can be pricey, but there are student deals all over the place if you know where to look.
Quality of life
Manchester is a city set up for students, with around 70,000 students studying in the city. This grows to 100,000 when you consider the other universities in the wider Manchester region.
- Public transport is great in the city. The bus network along the Oxford Road corridor is said to be the “Busiest Bus Route in Europe”, so you can always catch a bus to your uni. It’s fairly cheap too. An All Terms Bus Pass for the year will set you back around £330. There are night buses as well, to jump on after a night out. The train network connects the city to the rest of the UK if you’re travelling home, and the Metrolink tram is ideal for city centre travel.
- There are plenty of GPs in student areas to register with and a number of hospitals in and around the city centre, including Manchester Royal Infirmary, just off Oxford Road. The universities themselves offer things like mental health and wellbeing services too.
- You’ll find Manchester is packed with employment opportunities for students, whether you’re looking for a job in a pub, restaurant or bar. Manchester has a thriving media and tech scene as well, with many businesses offering paid internships for students.
- Manchester is as safe as any city in the UK, but as ever, it’s important to be vigilant when out and about in the city centre. Especially at night.
What should I look for when choosing a uni city?
There’s a lot to think about when choosing where to spend your student years, and it’s not just about the course. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Your education: This has to be top of the pile. It’s important to choose a uni city with a university that offers a course you’re excited about, and that will set you up for the future and give you the qualifications you need.
- Cost of living: Student life isn’t cheap, so look for a city where your money goes further. Student discounts, affordable rent, and reasonably priced nights out all make a big difference.
- Accommodation: Your student digs need to be affordable. But you also want a city that has dedicated student areas, where you can meet new people, go out and have fun with your new friends.
- Access to part-time work: Earning while you study can really help. Whether it’s pulling pints, working retail or getting experience in your chosen field, make sure the city has plenty of opportunities.
- Local transport: A decent bus or tram network is a must, especially for getting to early lectures or home after a night out. Bonus points for good train links if you’re planning regular trips home.
- Proximity to family: Some people want to get as far away as possible from their home town. Others want to be close, so they can nip home whenever they want. It’s up you.
- Health services: You’ll want to be able to register with a local GP and visit the hospital if you need to in an emergency.
- Things to do: Finally, it’s important to choose a city that has different options for fun outside of uni, whether that’s enjoying a night out with friends, going to an art gallery, catching a gig, watching a sports match, or just enjoying an afternoon in the pub
A city that feels like home
Manchester ticks all the boxes. Great unis, loads to do, and a buzzing social scene that’s tailor-made for student life. Whether you’re into gigs, football, galleries or just hanging out with mates in a local pub, this city’s got you covered.Local culture
You can’t talk about Manchester and not mention music. From the days of the Hacienda to the Stone Roses and Happy Mondays, and right through to Oasis and Elbow, the city has music at its core.
You’ll find a whole host of music venues dotted around the city catering to students and music lovers. You can catch a gig at the Manchester Academy, right next to the Manchester Uni student union. Closer to the city centre, check out Yes, Band on the Wall, the Deaf Institute, Night & Day, and the Ritz. And if you want to party all night, there’s the Warehouse Project that kicks off at the start of the uni year and runs until January.
But culture in Manchester isn’t all about music. You’ll find art galleries, including Manchester Art Gallery in the city centre and the Whitworth on Oxford Road. Plus top museums like the Manchester Museum on Oxford Road, the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) and the Football Museum in the city centre.
Sport
Of course, there’s only one place to start – Manchester City and Manchester United. Whether you’re red or blue, you can catch top Premier League football at either ground. Cricket fans will love watching Lancashire play at Old Trafford cricket ground, while rugby union fans can check out Sale Sharks, and rugby league fans can watch Salford Red Devils.
History
The history of Manchester is deeply intertwined with the Industrial Revolution. The city evolved from a small market town into a major centre of textile manufacturing and trade, becoming known as “Cottonopolis”. You can learn much about this history at the Museum of Science and Industry. The city also has deep roots in the fight for equality, with a statue dedicated to Emmeline Pankhurst in St. Peter’s Square. You can also visit the Pankhurst Museum to learn more about the Suffragette Movement.
A night out
We’ve already mentioned Manchester’s music scene, but there are plenty of other options for a night out too, whether you fancy hitting up the Northern Quarter, perusing the bars on Oxford Road or enjoying a student night out in Fallowfield. From big nights out to chilled pints with your mates, you’ll find some of the best student pubs in Manchester right on your doorstep – perfect for soaking up the buzz of the city.
And if you’re feeling arty, why not take in a play at the Royal Exchange theatre?
The best student pubs in Manchester: Manchester University pubs
Looking for the perfect place to catch up with mates over a pint, soak up the sun in a beer garden or grab some proper pub food between lectures? Here are four Manchester University pubs we love:
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Lass O’Gowrie
This traditional pub is located right in the city centre of Manchester. You’ll find an affordable pint, a sunny beer garden and some great cask ales and regular drinks offers. Plus, the Lass O’Gowrie has both Sky Sports and TNT Sports if you’re looking to catch the match.
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The Deansgate
If you’re in the city and you fancy a pint, you can’t beat the Deansgate. Offering up a fantastic location on Deansgate in the heart of Manchester city centre, it’s a traditional pub with a great selection of drinks and some quality pub food too. It’s a super popular local spot, and a great place to catch a sports event on Sky Sports or TNT Sports.
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The Didsbury
Venture down the road from Fallowfield and Oxford Road and make your way to leafy Didsbury for a pint in the sunshine. The Didsbury is a bustling village pub with great outdoor space that’s just made for sunny days with your uni mates. The nearby Fletcher Moss Park is ideal for a post-pint walk in the sunshine too.
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The Trevor Arms
Hop on the Metrolink or bus and head to trendy Chorlton. Just south of the city centre, this hip hangout is packed with quirky bars, great pubs and quality restaurants. The Trevor Arms is ideal for students, with its great atmosphere, affordable drinks, and cosy beer garden.