Choosing where to study your degree is about more than finding the right degree programme. The location you study in can influence your university experience, your career opportunities, the people you meet, the places you explore, and more.
At Ulster University Branch Campuses, we offer three campus locations, each with their own benefits: London, Manchester, and Birmingham.
In this blog, we’ll focus on Manchester and outline some of the benefits it has to offer.
We also have a blog for each of our other campus locations. Find out more about the benefits of studying in London or the benefits of studying in Birmingham.
What are the benefits of studying in Manchester?
Manchester is a city that offers an exciting combination of education, career opportunities, culture, history, and student life. With a large student population, a thriving economy, and a reputation for innovation, it’s easy to see why Manchester continues to attract students from across the UK and around the world.
Here are some of the biggest benefits of studying a degree in Manchester:
Manchester has great career opportunities
One of the biggest advantages of studying in Manchester is the range of career opportunities available after your studies.
Greater Manchester has established strengths in many sectors, including:
- Digital, cyber, and AI
- Creative industries
- Health innovation and life sciences
- Advanced materials and manufacturing
- Low-carbon industries
These are the areas identified by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) as the focus for development plans to drive a ‘decade of growth’, providing significant potential for innovation, investment, and job creation.
Manchester is also home to a wide range of employers, from major national and international organisations to smaller businesses and growing start-ups. This gives students direct access to opportunities for course-related work placements (where applicable), internships, part-time employment (where visas allow), and graduate positions. It also provides incredible opportunities for building valuable professional networks during your studies.
With such a diverse economy, studying in Manchester could help you explore different career paths and discover where your degree could take you.
Manchester is steeped in history
Like London, Manchester was founded by the Romans. Its history can be traced back nearly 2,000 years!
Manchester remained a township throughout the Middle Ages, but in the 1800s it quickly expanded as one of the defining centres of the Industrial Revolution. Manchester became known as the world’s first industrial city as well as earning the nickname ‘Cottonopolis’ for its cotton mills.
Manchester’s cotton industry, towering mills, complex network of canals, and warehouses transformed it from a medieval town into a global centre of manufacturing and trade.
That history is still visible throughout the city. You can explore the canals of Castlefield, historic industrial buildings, museums and libraries, and Victorian architecture, all of which sit alongside modern developments.
Manchester has one of the UK’s most legendary music scenes
It is hard to separate Manchester and Music. Manchester has produced some of Britain’s most influential bands and artists, including:
- Oasis
- The Stone Roses
- The Smiths
- The Bee Gees
- Take That
- The Verve
- New Order
- The 1975
- Harry Styles
- Tom Walker
- Bugzy Malone
- Joy Division
To name just a few!
But Manchester’s music scene isn’t just relegated to history. It remains a major part of modern city life, with everything from small independent music venues to major arenas hosting a huge variety of performances throughout the year.
As a student, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to discover new artists, see major acts perform live, join music clubs, or even get involved directly in Manchester’s creative industries.
Manchester has a vibrant student community
Manchester has been firmly established as a student city for some time. More than 100,000 students live and study across Greater Manchester. This creates a diverse and energetic community with plenty of opportunities to get involved.
That means you’re likely to meet people from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, and parts of the world.
There are also plenty of cafes, independent restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues catering to a large student population of varying tastes.
Whether you’re interested in taking part in sports, joining a student society or music group, making a difference through volunteering opportunities, or interacting with different communities, student life in Manchester offers plenty of ways to meet new people and make friends.
Manchester offers a valuable and affordable student experience
You don’t have to spend a fortune to experience everything Manchester has to offer.
Due to the compact nature of Manchester’s city centre, you can explore and experience many of its attractions on foot, without the need to pay for transport. There are museums, galleries, parks, markets, cultural attractions to explore and numerous music venues to enjoy. Most have reasonable prices and many offer substantial student discounts – some even offer free entry!
As a student at Ulster University Manchester, you’ll also be eligible to apply for a membership with Totum, Student Beans, and UniDays, which all provide access to incredible student discounts and offers.
This allows you to enjoy a varied student experience while enabling you to keep an eye on your student budget.
Lower tuition fees for international students
If you are an international student, the tuition fees for degree programmes at our Manchester campus are lower than those held in London. This is true for all undergraduate, pre-masters, and postgraduate degrees.
Alongside the lower cost of living, this makes Ulster University Manchester an affordable study location and offers you the opportunity to study an industry-focused degree in one of the UK’s most exciting business destinations.