Why Choose Manchester for Your Studies?
Manchester is a great choice for students who love big cities and fast-paced lifestyles. With 2,2 million inhabitants, the Greater Manchester Urban Area is one of the UK’s largest and as such boasts a vibrant, multicultural feel.
You can choose between attending the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, or the Royal Northern College of Music that have a huge combined student population. The institutions are located around Oxford Road in the city’s south side with some campuses elsewhere.
With a diverse offering of study programmes among the three establishments, in Manchester you could be studying anything from the Humanities to Engineering to Classical Music.
Let’s see where else Manchester’s appeal lies. Is it the buzzing modern city centre, the nightlife or cultural scene? Well, to be fair it’s a bit of everything!
Nightlife
In a city as big as the North Western pearl, and with as big a student population, you would expect nightlife to be very upbeat, and you’re very right. Unsuprisingly, Manchester has been the cradle of many a well known British band: The Smiths, Joy Division, Oasis, Doves and more that have since inspired more recent musicians. For live music head to places like Band on the Wall, the Ruby Lounge, and the Factory.
For more mainstream bar and club nights, Oxford Road, Fallowville, the Northern Quarter, and Deansgate Locks are your best bets. Many will offer student discounts on certain nights of the week. Some of the biggest club names are Bijou where you can often spot footballers, Sakura a favourite among students, and Mint Lounge a classic among the city’s clubs.
Manchester is also home to a fun and friendly Gay Village, situated the old cobbled Canal Street.
If you spend your first year living in halls, and if you hang around campus often enough, you’ll find you’re never short of a flyer or two advertising the best student deals in town.
Shopping
For high street shopping and student friendly prices, head to some of the city’s shopping centres: Manchester Arndale, West One Retail Park, the Lowry Outlet Mall, and the Trafford Centre.
Once a month the city hosts a Vintage Fashion Market where you can find rare retro garments and accessories as well as homeware. For more regular vintage fixes, head to shops like Afflecks, Cow, and Retro Rehab.
Other markets are the twice-monthly Real Food Market held at Piccadilly Gardens, Tib Street Fashion Market, and Arndale Market with a bit of everything from food to fashion.
Visitor Attractions
There are certain attractions anyone living in Manchester should visit, as well as show off to any guests you might receive throughout your years of studying. Whitworth Gallery is amazing both in terms of the collections it houses, and the building itself set in beautiful parkland.
A bizarre and altogether different experience is a visit to the Stockport Air Raid Shelters just a short trip outside the city where you can witness what it would have been like to hide underground during the war and bombings.
John Rylands Library in Deansgate is a Victorian Gothic masterpiece that echoes the design of period castles and cathedrals. The collection beautifully complements the building’s architecture with pieces including the oldest known part of the New Testament, and a 1476 edition of Canterbury Tales by Chaucer.
Since most halls of residence won’t allow overnight visitors due to fire regulations, accommodate your guests in a central hotel in Manchester Piccadilly that’s close to transport links and attractions. They can save money by choosing a hotel with breakfast included.
