The University of Manchester
A large civic research university where graphene was isolated and the modern computer was built.
- Students
- 44,000
- Tuition
- £27,800
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1824
- QS World Ranking
- #40
- 2027 edition
About Manchester
The University of Manchester traces its origins to 1824 and, in its present form, is one of the UK's largest universities, with more than 44,000 students and 12,000 staff. It is organised into three faculties: Biology, Medicine and Health; Science and Engineering; and Humanities, each made up of schools. Its main campus is on Oxford Road in the city of Manchester, with historic buildings like the Old Quadrangle alongside the new Quad development.
Manchester's research record is unusually hands-on: the university lists the world's first nuclear reaction, the building of the modern computer, the isolation of graphene and pioneering work in development economics among its achievements, and it counts 26 Nobel Prize winners among its community. It was ranked fifth in the UK for research power in REF 2021.
It is a very popular choice: Manchester was the most applied-to UK university for undergraduate courses in the 2023 UCAS cycle, and it is among the universities most targeted by top graduate employers. It suits students who want a big, busy campus university in a major city, with a wide range of single and joint honours courses, placement years and contextual offers for under-represented applicants.
Cognitio, sapientia, humanitas
“Knowledge, Wisdom, Humanity” — university motto
Why students choose Manchester
Manchester is ranked 40th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and 1st in the world in the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026.
The High Fliers report on The Graduate Market 2026 named Manchester the university most targeted by the UK's top 100 recruiters.
All new full-time undergraduates are guaranteed the offer of a room in University halls.
Many courses offer industrial experience years, such as Computer Science with Industrial Experience and Aerospace Engineering with Industrial Experience.
Admissions
2027 entry
Selectivity
The university does not publish an overall offer rate on its admissions pages. It reports being the most popular UK university for undergraduate applications (UCAS 2023 cycle). Contextual offers can be one or two grades below the standard A-level requirement.
Typical entry requirements
| A-levels | Course-specific, e.g. AAA including History (History BA); A*AA with A* in Mathematics plus a science (Computer Science BSc); contextual offers one or two grades lower |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma | Course-specific, e.g. 36 points with 6,6,6 at HL (History); 37 points with 7,6,6 at HL including 7 in Maths AA (Computer Science) |
| English language | IELTS 6.5 · TOEFL iBT 90 Varies by course: Computer Science requires IELTS 6.5 with no subskill below 6.5, or TOEFL iBT 90 with no subskill below 22 (4.5 on the new 1-6 scale); History requires IELTS 7.0 with 6.5 in each component. Only in-person IELTS tests are accepted for some courses. |
Deadlines
- UCAS (Medicine and Dentistry) Non-binding Next deadline · In 9 days15 October 2026, 18:00 UK time
Courses leading to a professional qualification in medicine or dentistry.
- UCAS equal consideration deadline Non-binding In ~3 months13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
All other courses.
Late applications are considered if courses still have vacancies up to 30 June 2027; after that, through Clearing. Offer conditions for September 2027 entry must be met by 31 August 2027.
How to apply
Apply through UCAS (institution code M20 MANU). The equal consideration deadline is 13 January 2027 for most courses and 15 October 2026 for Medicine and Dentistry; after January, courses with vacancies may accept applications until 30 June 2027.
What admissions looks for
- Meeting the course's A-level (or equivalent) grade and subject requirements, plus a broad general education at GCSE.
- Evidence in the personal statement of engagement with the subject; Manchester encourages applicants to describe any Extended Project Qualification.
- Context: applicants from under-represented groups may receive a contextual offer, and care-experienced applicants are encouraged to disclose this.
- For professional courses such as Medicine, performance in the course's additional selection stages.
Tips for applying to Manchester
- 1 Check the exact subject requirements: Computer Science needs an A* in Mathematics (with a significant pure element) and a science subject.
- 2 If you are doing an EPQ, mention it in your personal statement; some courses, like History, make an alternative offer that includes the EPQ at grade A.
- 3 Agree to share your financial information on your Student Finance application so you are automatically assessed for the Manchester Bursary.
- 4 Check your course's English requirement carefully, as some programmes set a minimum on every IELTS subskill.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in GBP
The Manchester Bursary is a cash award paid to all eligible students from low-income households and to independent students, assessed automatically from Student Finance England data. An Accommodation Bursary gives a partial halls fee waiver to low-income students, and there are separate scholarships for international students and for refugees and asylum seekers.
- Cash award to all eligible low-income students (automatic assessment)
- Manchester Bursary
- Up to 7% per year after the first year
- International fee increases
Academics
Medicine (MBChB)
Manchester describes itself as the largest medical school in the UK, with over 2,500 undergraduate medical students and clinical placements across four Clinical Education Campuses.
Computer Science (BSc)
Taught in the city where the university built the modern computer; A*AA with an A* in Mathematics required, with an optional industrial experience year.
Aerospace Engineering (BEng/MEng)
Offered as a three-year BEng, four-year MEng or five-year MEng with Industrial Experience.
Physics
Part of the research tradition that produced the isolation of graphene and the work of Nobel laureates such as James Chadwick.
Economics (BSc)
Builds on Manchester's pioneering role in development economics.
History (BA)
AAA including History, with many joint honours options such as History and American Studies or History and Modern Languages.
Research
- Researchers at Manchester isolated graphene, and the university lists the world's first nuclear reaction and the building of the modern computer among its breakthroughs.
- In REF 2021, 93% of Manchester's research activity was rated world-leading or internationally excellent; its submission entered 2,249 researchers across 31 subject areas.
- The university has received three Queen's Anniversary Prizes (2011, 2013 and 2019).
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
- Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Faculty of Humanities
Manchester was ranked fifth in the UK in the THE Global University Employability Ranking 2026 and named the most targeted university by the UK's top 100 recruiters (High Fliers, 2026).
Student life
Manchester is a big campus university inside a big city. All new full-time undergraduates are guaranteed the offer of a room in University halls, which the university describes as thriving communities with their own facilities, events and support. The Oxford Road campus includes the new Quad development and historic buildings like the Old Quadrangle, and the city is known for its arts, music and culture scene. Halls range from about £487 to £1,060 a month self-catered, or £555 to £982 catered.
- Guaranteed halls offer for all new full-time undergraduates.
- More than 10,000 international students and 550,000 alumni from 190 countries.
- Manchester was voted the top UK city to live in in The Economist's 2022 Global Liveability Index.
- The university celebrated its 200th anniversary as it entered its third century.
Housing. All new, full-time undergraduates are guaranteed the offer of a room in University halls of residence.
Location
Manchester, the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, is a large northern English city with a strong arts, music and culture scene, and was voted the top UK city to live in by The Economist's 2022 Global Liveability Index. The university's main campus is on Oxford Road. Living costs are lower than in London: the university estimates about £14,840 for a 41-week undergraduate year in 2026/27, including accommodation.
Nearest airport: Manchester Airport (MAN)
Notable alumni
- BC Benedict CumberbatchActor; studied drama at the Victoria University of Manchester
- LW Ludwig WittgensteinPhilosopher; came to Manchester in 1908 to research aeronautics
- SJ Sir James ChadwickNobel Prize in Physics for discovering the neutron; graduated in 1911
- SJ Sir J. J. ThomsonNobel Prize in Physics, discoverer of the electron; studied at Owens College
- AB Anthony BurgessAuthor of A Clockwork Orange; BA in English language and literature
- AM Ali MazruiKenyan political scientist and writer on Africa
Frequently asked questions
What is the University of Manchester's acceptance rate?
Manchester does not publish an overall offer rate on its admissions pages. It was the most applied-to UK university in the 2023 UCAS cycle, and competition varies by course.
What A-levels do you need for Manchester?
It depends on the course: History asks for AAA including History, and Computer Science A*AA with an A* in Mathematics and a science. Contextual offers can be one or two grades lower.
When is the Manchester application deadline for 2027 entry?
13 January 2027 at 6pm for most courses and 15 October 2026 for Medicine and Dentistry, through UCAS (code M20 MANU).
Does Manchester guarantee accommodation?
Yes. All new, full-time undergraduates are guaranteed the offer of a room in University halls of residence.
How much are Manchester's fees for international students?
Manchester has not yet set its 2027-entry fees. For 2026/27 entry, international fees were £27,800 for History, £37,800 for Computer Science and £39,900 for pre-clinical Medicine, so check your course page for the 2027 figure before applying.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
Explore nearby in the world top 100
Universities ranked close to Manchester in the QS World University Rankings 2027.