Top Reasons to Attend University in Manchester

• Summary
• Map

• The University of Manchester
• Manchester Metropolitan University
• Royal Northern College of Music
• University of Salford

Getting Around

The city is well served by bus, train and tram, and the lack of hills means that cycling is a viable alternative. The Metroshuttle bus is free of charge. Road and rail links are good. Manchester is 184 miles from London, and trains take 2 hours 10 minutes. National Express coaches travel to many destinations. Manchester International Airport is 10 miles south of the city and has a full range of international flights.

Attractions for Students

Sport: Both Manchester United and Manchester City football clubs are based here, as well as the Lancashire County Cricket Club. There are extensive sporting facilities, including the National Cycling Centre and Manchester Aquatics Centre. It also has the country's largest martial arts club, and is home to the English Wrestling Association and the British Mountaineering Council.

Culture and nightlife: Manchester boasts over 400 pubs, clubs and café bars in the city centre, and many bands have originated on the Manchester scene. It also boasts one of the largest Chinatowns in Britain, a 'Curry Mile' in Rusholme, and a 'Gay Village' in the city centre. There are numerous cinemas including the Cornerhouse with its three screens, café and gallery. Manchester is home to the Royal Exchange Theatre Company, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hallé Orchestra, housed in the Bridgewater Hall. The Lowry Centre, consisting of an arts centre and theatres, and the Imperial War Museum North are both on the waterside at Salford Quays.

Shopping: The compact city centre contains an extensive shopping area, a magnet for the region. As well as all the high street stores, there are trendy designer shops and boutiques.

Proximity to the city centre:
University of Manchester: city-centre campus.
Manchester Metropolitan University: city-centre campus plus sites in south Manchester, Crewe and Alsager.
University of Salford: campus in Salford, 1 mile from the city centre.

Find out how safe this city is with our crime figures

Cost of Living - Facts for Students

• Manchester students spend the least on shopping at the supermarket, £17.90.
• The estimated mean average weekly expenditure including rent in Manchester is £174.48.
• Manchester students spend the least time studying 16.11hrs/week.
• Out of those who work, only 10% do it to help pay their way through university; the least in the UK. Whereas 24% work to fund holiday spending money, and 51% to earn more money for socialising.
• On a weekly basis parents contribute the least to Manchester students, £44.27, as does holiday work, £48.25.
• 38% or students receive no financial aid from their parents, whilst only 28% are receiving the same amount of help this year compared to last year.
• 14% of students picked Manchester due to its earning potential, with 30% of students citing level of pay as important when looking for a job.

Facts are sourced from NatWest/RBS Student Living Index 2009, for more useful financial information from NatWest click here >