Is Manchester a good student city?

Manchester is a major metropolis full of rich culture, foods and so much more. In the Manchester area alone there are 5 different universities including The University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Salford. It is no doubt made for students, but is Manchester a good student city? We’ve taken a look at a few different things that seem to attract the most attention to Manchester to see if they make the city worthwhile in the eyes of a student. Written by Amy Finn and Mia Levy

1. Shopping and fashion

Everybody loves to treat themselves to a little shopping trip every now and again, even us students. And Manchester is the perfect place to do that! With giant shopping centres and endless options of places to visit it is no wonder why so many people enjoy days out in the city centre. But are there specific areas that cater specifically to the taste of students? Let’s find out.

Exchange Square

Located near Manchester Victoria Railway, this area is known for hosting a selection of seasonal events. As it is so close to Manchester Victoria and sits right next to the Metrolink station the square can see tens of thousands passing through every day. And this area has everything from designer clothing stores to cultural attractions. Students aren’t shy for entertainment in this section of the city. Exchange Square borders some of the biggest names in Manchester such as the Arndale Centre, the Corn Exchange, Selfridges, and Harvey Nichols. With such a massive range of places to shop and with many offering deals to students it’s no wonder why this is such a popular place. If you’re not wanting to go from store to store spending money on clothing items then there are still things for you to do in the Exchange Square. A couple of the cultural attractions that are nearby include the Manchester Cathedral and the National Football Museum. Prices do vary for entrance to the National Football Museum so please be sure to check out their website if you are thinking of going.

Northern Quarter

Sitting directly between the Ancoats and Piccadilly, this creative heart of Manchester offers so much in terms of students. From food establishments to independent boutiques. It’s even home to the well-renowned Afflecks. With so much to offer it’s no wonder why it is such a popular place for students to visit. So lets take a look at exactly makes the Northern Quarter so student-friendly. Well for one it is known for being the place to go for independently owned fashion stores! For instance instead of all the highly priced top designer stuff you can visit Blue Rinse Vintage, a clothing company who prides themselves on selling vintage, used, recycled, and reworked clothing. Perfect for those of us who are looking for a steal. We all know designer brands can become quite expensive so it’s reassuring to know there are places that can suit a student budget. And if you’re in the mood for something more on the music side of things we recommend visiting one of the many record shops found on Oldham Street including Piccadilly Records, and Vinyl Exchange. The Northern Quarter is also the home of a couple of shop-cafe hybrids. Cafe Pop and Oklahoma seem to be the places to visit if you feel like grabbing a quick bite to eat whilst shopping. As a student I would most definitely visit somewhere like this, who doesn’t like a cute little shop-cafe hybrid? There is so much to do in the Northern Quarter, and if you want to find out more then take a look on visitManchester!

2. Nightlife in Manchester

Manchester has a breadth of events for all musical tastes. There really is something for everyone there whether you want to get ‘white girl’ wasted after a long week of uni or channel your inner California sober self. From classic clubbing spots like 256, XLR, Factory and Hidden to some deep bass in Depot Mayfield’s Warehouse Project or frequenting the International Society nights at O2 Ritz you’ll never be short of options.  Even if you’re not into the hectic drink and rally, there are numerous options for going out after dark like live music events at the local students union Academies, often small artists playing affordable shows so take an evening to discover some new talent. If you’re a one-and-done type drinker, venture into one of the jazz bars and speakeasy types in the Northern Quarter for some interesting decor. My recent spot has been Behind Closed Doors a boudoir cabaret-esque bar where you can still enjoy a unique themed cocktail but also relax and chat in a lavish chaise lounge or just take some pictures and make the most of that cute outfit!  Beyond drinking and dancing Manchester is a student city rife with sober options. From evening indie cinema to arcade and games venues that serve food till late, there is so much culture and opportunities to meet people. Manchester has many little alleyways and small rabbit holes to fall into where you can go for the scenery instead of substance. Always be sure to check out the students union and society nights out, we’re getting really into the weekly sober social as a great way for people to still show their faces and build membership in society events after dark without the pressure of drinking in order to socialise.  Check out this article for a deep dive into Manchester sober student scene: https://unifresher.co.uk/cities/manchester/9-things-to-do-at-night-in-manchester-that-are-not-just-clubbing/

3. Academic opportunities

As previously stated Manchester is home to multiple universities, but what exactly do they offer students academically? Now there are many different things we can talk about in terms of what universities actually offer their students but for this part we have focused primarily on the networking and careers side to university life.

Networking

For us students, networking is such an important part of our education. It gives us the opportunity to make connections between people for when we are looking for future employment. Networking gives students the chance to learn about the field they are studying to enter and figure out what specific part they might consider joining if they are still unsure. For University of Salford students, networking can take many forms. One way they encourage networking is through joining student societies. This path in particular allows you the chance to meet and bond with people who have similar interests to yourself which can lead to you creating lasting connections and might present you with even more opportunities to show off the skills you have in your future area. The university also offers students the chance to attend one of their careers and enterprise fairs and events. Through these you can connect with industry professionals and find out what there is to offer for when you’re thinking about employment after university. What’s also great about these is that they have designated days and events for the different schools and subject areas. This way people won’t become too overwhelmed trying to find the stalls that would specifically target their line of work. For UOM students, throughout the year on Oxford Road there’s stalls for companies looking for students that want to get involved, charity events and guests giving talks that are great ways to put your name in and make an impression. I frequent the job fair in the student union when it comes around just to shake some hands, take some leaflets and get into a conversation with representatives. It’s all about exploring your opportunities. The creative fields in Manchester are also particularly accessible in ways that student societies can help you connect further beyond your studies whether you’re into photographing for events, marketing on social media or getting some experience in graphic design for student-led magazines and journalism, there’s always something new to try and work onto your ever-growing CV. 

Careers

For students attending the University of Salford there are so many resources to access in regards to starting your careers. We previously mentioned the careers and enterprise fairs and events they put on during the year which is definitely an option worth exploring purely for the opportunity to talk to industry professionals. The university also has a Careers Hub located on the main Peel Park campus. Here they offer help to students in regards to pretty much everything. From CV writing, to preparing for job interviews, to answering general questions about your future. It’s a very useful service which is popular among students looking to start their careers. From the perspective of a University of Manchester student, the Careers Connect service has helped me a lot when looking for vacancies over the summer and just having a one-to-one chat with an advisor to lay out a vision and see what my next steps could be. Sometimes you just want some reassurance or a pat on the back and they’re always so kind face to face or over zoom for accessible options to get in touch.  The first floor in the University Place Building- The Atrium- is a hub for all things placement opportunities, study abroad and support mental health wise when it comes to thinking about life after university. You can talk to specialist advisors as well as current students about their pathways and experiences when looking for opportunities in the big scary world of work. They help make it seem…not so scary in the end and can connect you further with contacts and follow-up websites for whatever you’re looking for specifically. Whether it’s work programmes, graduate schemes or how to get started with the placement and study abroad portals

4. Travel and transport

When asking yourself “Is Manchester a good student city?” you might start wondering how you will get around easily? Transport was a very important factor for me when deciding to move here as I was so used to the comprehensive travel network available to me in London and I didn’t want to lose out on any opportunities in the city. Even for those coming from smaller towns where transport isn’t as reliable, Manchester definitely has you covered.  With the Metrolink Tram system being one of the UK’s largest tram networks and buses that are frequent and affordable (at just £2 one way), travelling is made easy in this compact yet lively city. You don’t have to limit yourself to the city centre, with the ability to explore places like Media City, Altrincham and Didsbury with bus routes running all throughout the main city and greater Manchester right on your doorstep. Student accommodation tends to be located near multiple bus stops as well as access to multiple main train stations to get you home for a cosy Christmas. It is so easy to get around and can definitely get you to your lectures on time in a pinch or if you just want to avoid the rain!  Discounts on travel cards like student passes as well as the free 147 bus for students linking Fallowfield and the City Centre in one clean route makes Manchester a very student-friendly city in terms of transport. Accessibility wise there are options across buses, trains and trams to ensure ease of access and inclusivity when getting around the city too! International students are also linked well to Manchester Airport via train, tram and a direct bus. If public transport isn’t your thing there are also great environmental options such as rental Bee Bikes located all over the student areas from Piccadilly to Withington. Manchester is covered in a huge network of cycle routes for ease of access. If you’re looking for the scenic route options come rain or shine, just remember to wear your helmet! If you’re looking for other things to do in Manchester, then check out this article on 10 great things to do in Manchester.