Manchester Metropolitan University

History

• Manchester Metropolitan became a polytechnic in 1970 and a university in 1992.
• Initially developed from the Manchester Mechanics' Institution (1824) and Manchester School of Design (1838). L. S. Lowry attended.
• Later added were schools of Commerce, Education and Domestic Science and colleges at Didsbury, Crewe, Alsager and Hollings.

Location and transport

• Manchester City Centre (All Saints Oxford Road, Aytoun campus near Piccadilly, Elizabeth Gaskell and Hollings), Didsbury, Crewe and Alsager.
• Manchester is vibrant yet compact synonymous with innovation and urban cool. Cheshire is rural and homely - a perfect mix.
• Three city centre railway stations, Metrolink, free city centre buses, excellent road links and a £3-billion investment proposal.

Entry standards

• For international students, IELTS (or equivalent) score of 6.0 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each unit is required.
• Applicants without formal qualifications who can demonstrate other means of suitability are also welcomed.
• Read more about entry requirements at Manchester Metropolitan University online.

Student mix

• Ratio of male to female is 42:58, although this varies considerably by subject.
• A student population of around 34,000, about 11% non-UK students, from 136 different countries.
• 94% of young, first year full-time, undergraduate entrants are from state schools.
• Highest applications to places ratio is over 50 : 1, for BA(Hons) Acting.
• Average over all full-time, undergraduate courses is 5.3 : 1.

Course flexibility

• Over 60 courses in a wide range of Combined Honours degrees.
• The Foundation Year provides applicants the opportunity to develop this progression qualification to some 140 degrees.
• Ability to study units unconnected to particular courses or switch courses after one year in many degrees (over 600 degrees offered).

Teaching standards

• Twelve Excellent Teaching Quality assessments in Mechanical Engineering, Art and Design, Sport and Exercise Science, Clothing Design and Technology.
• The teaching standards are among the highest in the country, according to the Quality Assurance Agency.
• Teaching quality inspections put university in the top 20 in the UK.

Research standards

• Ranked fourth of the research-active new universities in attracting funds from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).
• In the 2001 RAE, Exercise and Sports Science research team were judged 'world class', achieving the top mark available 5*, signifying international excellence.
• Seven other fields of research were awarded 4, the standard of national excellence.

Academic strengths

• Strong vocational links with business, industry, art and science and with more than 70 professional bodies and associations.
• Size of university enables us to offer students a breadth of choice in academic subjects in all levels of study.
• Business and management, accounting, philosophy and politics, art and design, biology, environmental science, material science, psychology, education and English.

Student facilities, including libraries and computing

• There are seven libraries, with over 800,000 books and 13,000 journals in hard copy and electronic, with 24/7 online access.
• There are 6,300 student workstations in various areas of all campuses as well as wi-fi throughout the whole university.
• Students can borrow a range of technical equipment, including digital cameras, camcorders, audiocassette recorders, laptops and other audio-visual equipment.

Disabilty services

• The union is one of the largest student organisations in the UK, encompassing a range of sports clubs and societies.
• A student advice centre offers assistance in many aspects of student life.
• The union at MMU has an active campaigning role, representing the views of students to the university.

Sport

• £2 million has been spent on expanding our sports and campus facilities.
• Facilities include: 16 sports halls, Olympic standard Swimming pools, three state-of-the art fitness suites and synthetic and outdoor pitches.
• We offer National governing body teaching/coaching award programmes and Athletic Union sports clubs which provide opportunities for all sports.

Recent/prospective new builds

• £200 million is being invested to support teaching and research through property development.
• £42 million has been spent on a new Science and Engineering complex and £27 million spent on accommodation.
• £60 million will be invested in a new building in the next three years accommodating the new Business School.

Availability of part-time work

• Careers Service advertises vacancies, placements, vacation and part-time work in a bulletin and offers advice on where to work.
• Work experience includes: industrial placements, course projects with business, vacation work, overseas work, part-time jobs and voluntary work.
• Jobs4students is the university Student Ambassador scheme helping to improve CV's, employability skills, meet new people and earn extra cash.

Click here for more information about living in Manchester