Top Universities in Manchester 2024-25
Talk to Expert
Studying at top universities in Manchester has become one of the most sought-after options with over 99,000 students studying here out of which about 21,000 happen to be international students. Manchester is one of the most happening and culturally rich cities in England which has been ranked also as one of the best student cities in the world for international students at large.
Manchester is one of the most sought-after cities to study in the UK because of its diversity, lower costs of living and wide range of options for growth. International students will get a variety of course options to pursue at Manchester universities which are not just recognised but also well-known for their excellence. Check out all the important details about top universities in Manchester in this article.
Also Read: Universities & Colleges in Manchester, UK
Why Study at Universities in Manchester?
There are various reasons why international students aim to study across universities in Manchester, UK. One of the major reasons is the leading universities based on their rankings and reputation, while the other reasons are as follows:
- Manchester has been ranked #30 by QS for its 'Best Student Cities Rankings' of 2024. This means Manchester is a leading city in the UK known as one of the best student cities for international students.
- There is a vast cultural diversity where students from over 170+ countries come and study in Manchester universities every year. Thus, there is a strong international student community.
- Studying at top universities in Manchester can help students gain personal and professional growth based on the kind of exposure international applicants can get.
- Universities in Manchester offer graduate and postgraduate students accommodation across its residential halls and colleges, thus, making it easier for international students to narrow down their hunt for accommodation in the city.
- Finally, for international students who wish to study at Machester universities the cost of living is not very high for those on a student budget. Approximately, £11,500 is the annual cost of living in Manchester.
There may be other reasons which may resonate with each individual per se based on their choices and the reasons for choosing to study in top universities of Manchester.
Top Ranking Universities in Manchester 2024-25
Check out the top-ranking universities in Manchester city for the year 2024 in the following table based on QS and THE:
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
| Best Universities in Manchester City | ||
|---|---|---|
| Universities | QS World University Rankings 2025 | THE - World University Rankings 2024 |
| The University of Manchester | =34 | #51 |
| Manchester Metropolitan University | 601-610 | #500-601 |
| University of Salford | 901-950 | #801-1000 |
There are just three universities in the city of Manchester that have been ranked by these global ranking agencies. There are a few more leading universities that have been discussed in the section below.
Top 5 Universities in Manchester
Though universities like Oxford and Cambridge rank among the top universities in the UK and the world, there are also top universities in Manchester which are popular among international students. Let us check more about them below:
University of Manchester
First on the list is the most popular University of Manchester situated in the heart of the city centre. It is known for its strong academia and focuses on humanities courses, such as Philosophy and Linguistics apart from Science courses. The University of Manchester achieved the #32nd rank on the QS World University Rankings 2024 and 351th rank on the Times Higher Education (THE) 2024. Nobel laureates Ernest Rutherford, Niels Bohr, John Hicks, and A.V Hill studied at the University of Manchester.
Manchester Metropolitan University
Second in the league is Manchester Metropolitan University. It is a hub for creatives and provides top-rate filmmaking, art, and graphic design and illustration courses. Previously situated in seven over-the-country sites, MMU now has campuses in All Saints, Cheshire and Birley. The university has recently enhanced its infrastructural facilities by adding some stunning, brand-new state-of-the-art complexes. Manchester Metropolitan University was ranked at #590th position on the QS World University Rankings 2024 and between #500-601 by Times Higher Education Rankings 2024. Famous celebrities and politicians like the late Richard Griffiths, Tony Cunningham, Sarah Jane Burton, and Huw Edwards graduated from MMU.
University of Salford
The University of Salford situated less than two miles from the city centre of Manchester in North West England is a non-profit public higher education institution. The university has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic record and grades. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment. Famous for its Two Cities Boat Race in tradition since 1972, Salford gives special attention to sports and has 35 sports clubs ranging from Football to Ultimate Frisbee. David France, Jim Sturgess, Jason Manford and Peter Kay are some of the famous alumni of this university.
University of Bolton
In Greater Manchester and in the town of Bolton, the University of Bolton is highly ranked for student satisfaction. It ranked 1st for student satisfaction in the North West since 2019 by the Complete University Guide. The university has a student body of around 11,000 and 700 academic and professional staff. Bolton offers an attractive infrastructure, small and focused study group with state-of-the-art amenities. Further, the town of Bolton is friendly, and thriving and its proximity to Manchester and Liverpool provides exciting opportunities to explore and enjoy the life of metropolitan cities.
Royal Northern College of Music
The Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) is a famous international college for the study of classical music and arts, located in the heart of Manchester. The college has a great reputation for attracting talent across geographical boundaries and has students, teachers, conductors, composers and artists from all over the world. The RNCM has over 800 students and around 320 teaching staff from 60 different countries. The college provides excellent professional musical training to students, teachers, and learning and performance opportunities.
The choice of university is another major challenge that the applicants have to grapple with. The rankings assigned by the rating agencies are evaluated methodologically based on the performance parameters of the universities that help in identifying good ones and drawing relative comparisons. However, the task of selecting is quite complex as it is closely linked to many factors related to the applicant.
Manchester is a great place to study and live in for international students. The universities in Manchester city are modern and forward-thinking and also the city of Manchester offers plenty of part-time job opportunities to college students. Selecting the right one in the maze of abundant choices is indeed quite challenging. This article aims at narrowing down your choices and we offer our unstinted support to the students who wish to study in Manchester universities to pursue their dreams. You can contact our experts at Shiksha Study Abroad for further guidance.
Also Read:
Top Universities in Manchester FAQs
Q. Which is the no. 1 university in the UK?
A. The UK is home to several world-class universities that top several world university rankings lists quite often. According to QS World University Rankings 2025, 4 universities in the UK have ranked among the top 10 universities in the world. These universities are:
Q. What is the average tuition fees at the University of Manchester for international students?
A. The average tuition fee for UG courses at the University of Manchester ranges from INR 21.08 L - 37.29 L per year and for PG courses, it ranges from INR 7.39 L - 58.9 L per year.
Q: Â How can I get admission in the University of Manchester?
The application process at the University of Manchester may vary depending on the course and level of study. However, here is the application process for UG and PG courses:
The Undergraduate Application Process:
Step 1: You can apply through the UCAS common application portal.
Step 2: Go to the website and select the course you are interested in.
Step 3: Ensure you meet the Entry requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.
Step 4: Once you decide on the course, submit documents such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements.
Check out: tips to improve your SOP.
Step 5: You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS.
Step 6: Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.
Step 7: The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.
The Postgraduate application process:
Step 1: Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\
Step 2: Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.
Step 3: Complete the online application by providing your personal information.
Step 4: Upload the required documents, such as Academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency ( TOEFL/ IELTS). experience in your fields and references (depending on the course). You also may require Two LORs depending on the course.
To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application.
Step 5: If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester.
Q: Â Does the University of Essex require IELTS?
International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:
English Language Test | Score |
|---|---|
IELTS | Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section |
The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:
English Language Test | Score |
TOEFL iBT | Overall score of 72 to 114 |
PTE | Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section |
Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities
Q: Â Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?
The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.
Q: Â What rank is Wolverhampton University in UK?
The University of Wolverhampton is one of the best universities in the United Kingdom. The university is consistently ranked among the best universities nationally and globally. For nearly 200 years, the University of Wolverhampton has been consistently providing a quality of education to students and producing highly skilled graduates. The national rankings of the University of Wolverhampton are given below:
| Ranking Body | Ranking |
|---|---|
| The Guardian University Guide 2024 | #101 |
| The Complete University Guide 2024 | #117 |
Q: Â What is University of Wales, Trinity Saint famous for?
University of Wales, Trinity Saint (UWTSD) was founded in 2010, is a public institution for higher education and research at multiple locations. It was set up under the 1828 royal charter of Lampeter, the institution was the result of the merger between Trinity University College and the University of Wales. The institution merged with the Swansea Metropolitan University in 2013.
- Top Ranked University: The UWTSD is not ranked by any major ranking body, however as per the university ranking given on the official website of the university, it is ranked among:
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Film Production and Photography
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Fashion and Textiles
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Graphic Design
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Education
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Sports Science
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Mechanical Engineering
- #1st in Wales for Fine Arts
- Variety of Courses: UWTSD offers more than 300 programs at various levels including undergraduate, postgraduate degrees as well as multiple online courses.
- Highly distinguished and learned faculties: the faculty at UWTSD is highly learned and distinguished which enables students to be the best in their field of study.
- High Placements: According to Graduate Outcome data 2019-2020 quoted by the UWTSD, more than 95% of its graduates were found to be employed within 15 Months of graduation. The average salary of a graduate is not explicitly released by UWTSD, however, as per some unofficial sources the average salary of the graduates of UWTSD is approximately INR 30-35L. with the highest salary being reported as high as INR 66.5L for jobs in Financial Services.
Q: Â Why indian students choose to study at Hult International Business School - UK?
Indian students choose to study at Hult International Business School in the UK for several reasons, including its highly ranked programs, global outlook, and career support. Hult offers a range of full-time master’s degrees, immersive bachelor's programs, and MBA options that prepare students to excel in the global job market. The school is the largest and top-ranked global business school, providing students with an incomparable universal outlook. Additionally, Hult's focus on experiential learning, extensive career support, and the opportunity to study at multiple campuses around the world are attractive to Indian students seeking a global business education. Furthermore, the school's emphasis on innovation and meeting the needs of students and employers may also contribute to its appeal to Indian students
Q: Â How to prepare for UK 10th board exam 2025?
Those who are preparing for the UK Class 10 exam 2025 are recommended to follow the tips below.
- Know the exam pattern
- Make a proper time table as per the syllabus
- Solve previous year question papers
- Make short notes of important formulas and theorems
- Revise regularly
- Figure out weaker areas and learn them well
With proper planning and hard work, students can easily clear the UK 10th board exam.
Q: Â How to download UK Board 12th date sheet 2024?
Following are the steps to download the UK 12th date sheet 2024.
- Open the Uttarakhand Board's official website at ubse.uk.gov.in
- Click on 'Examination Scheme' available on the homepage
- A new window will appear on the screen containing a link of the UK Board 12th date sheet 2024
- Click the link and download the Uttarakhand 12th date sheet 2024
Priya Garg is a seasoned content writer and editor. With her rich experience in content writing, teaching and research & analysis, Priya believes in providing only the correct information which is also up-to-date. H... Read Full Bio
- Universities in UK175 Universities
- Universities in USA1036 Universities
- Universities in Canada173 Universities
- Universities in Australia121 Universities
- Universities in Ireland33 Universities
- Universities in New Zealand70 Universities
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
Student Curriculum Vitae