Manchester Metropolitan University

Manchester Metropolitan University is a large public university based in the centre of Manchester. Its origins lie in the Manchester Mechanics' Institution, established in 1824 to teach the scientific principles of industry to skilled workers, and the Manchester School of Design, founded in 1838. Several colleges merged in 1970 to form Manchester Polytechnic, which became Manchester Metropolitan University in 1992. The institution has since consolidated from seven sites to a compact city centre estate.

With more than 44,000 students, it is one of the largest universities in the UK. Teaching is organised across faculties of Arts and Humanities, Business and Law, Health and Education, and Science and Engineering, together with the Institute of Sport. Art and design, rooted in the nineteenth century School of Design, remain a long-standing strength, alongside business, law, health professions and engineering. The university holds a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework 2023, awarded for an outstanding student experience, and describes itself as research-led, with applied research connected to industry and to the wider city region.

Information for International Students

Manchester Metropolitan welcomes more than 5,000 international students from over 120 countries. Student Hubs provide guidance on visas and immigration, and the university supports applicants through the Student visa process. Peer-led orientation delivered by current students and academic writing support from the Academic and Study Skills team help new arrivals settle into university life.

Most undergraduate courses typically require IELTS 6.0 overall with no component below 5.5, while most taught master's courses ask for 6.5 overall with no component below 5.5; professional programmes such as speech and language therapy set considerably higher levels. Applicants who fall short can take a British Council accredited Pre-sessional English course at the university's Language Centre, lasting from 5 to 30 weeks, and progress to their degree without retaking a test.

The Manchester Metropolitan University International College, run in partnership with Navitas in the Chatham Building on campus since 2025, offers Foundation, Year One and Pre-Master's pathways. Full-time first-year undergraduates, including international and foundation year students, are guaranteed accommodation when the university is their firm choice and they book by the published deadline. Manchester Airport is around 30 minutes away by train.