Manchester is a growing academic center in the UK. The city is home to prestigious institutions and has exponential academic and career opportunities for everyone. As of now, over 90,000 students are enrolled at the universities in Manchester, making it the second most popular academic center, after London.
If you are someone looking for top universities in the UK, then Manchester can be the right place for you. We’ll explain how this city and its universities can boost your academic journey and offer you a leverage other can’t. Keep reading to learn more about the top universities in Manchester.
List of Universities in Manchester
What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the name “Manchester”? Most people would talk about the city’s rich industrial past or the Manchester City F.C. However, the city is also gaining popularity for its academic institutions and universities. Here is a list of top universities in Manchester, UK.
University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is one of the top ranked universities in the UK and is listed #34 in the QS World University Rankings List 2025. This public research university was established in 1824. Today, it is the third largest university in the UK by total enrollment offering 412 undergraduate and 587 postgraduate courses, and multiple PhD and research programs.
| University | University of Manchester |
| Total enrollment | 40,000 |
| Acceptance Rate | 51% |
| Campus Size | 667 acres |
| Popular Courses | Accounting, Business, Engineering, Marketing, Science |
| Official Website | https://www.manchester.ac.uk/ |
Manchester Metropolitan University
Manchester Metropolitan University is another great institution in the city. This popular university was established in 1824 and has become a future-facing, global institution. Today, the university is home to over 32,000 students from 130 countries. In 2021, MMU was listed among the top ranked research institutes in the world.
| University | Manchester Metropolitan University |
| Total enrollment | 32,000 |
| Acceptance Rate | 80% |
| Intakes | January and September |
| Popular Courses | Financial Accounting, Business Management, Engineering, Economics, Art and Design |
| Official Website | https://www.mmu.ac.uk/ |
University of Salford
University of Salford is a public institution in the UK. It was established in 1967 and soon became a premier higher education and research institution. The University has three campuses in 160 acres; Peel Park, Frederick Road and MediaCity. Over 18,900 students are currently pursuing their education at the University of Salford.
| University | University of Salford |
| Total enrollment | 18,900 |
| Acceptance Rate | 48% |
| Campus Size | 160 acres |
| Popular Courses | Law, Health, Zoology, Business, Psychology |
| Official Website | https://www.salford.ac.uk/ |
University of Law
The University of Law in Manchester is a legal powerhouse. The campus is located close to the city’s leading law firms and Manchester Piccadilly Train Station. It was formally known as the College of Law of England and Wales and is one of the largest law schools in the world. According to the National Student Survey 2024, the University of Law was ranked #10 in UK for quality teaching and student success.
| University | University of Law (Manchester) |
| Total enrollment | 15,000 |
| Acceptance Rate | 67% |
| Campus Size | January and September |
| Popular Courses | LLMs, Bar Professional Course (BPC), Legal Practice Course (LPC) |
| Official Website | https://www.law.ac.uk/locations/manchester/ |
University of Bolton
The University of Bolton or UoB is a public university in Greater Manchester, UK. UoB is also known as Post-92′ institution, a reference to the Further and Higher Education Act 1992. The university has over 11,000 students in multiple undergraduate, postgraduate, research, and diploma courses. In 2014, UoB became the first university in the Northwest UK to become a Living Wage employer.
| University | University of Bolton |
| Total enrollment | 11,000 |
| Acceptance Rate | 62.5% |
| Intakes | January |
| Popular Courses | Business Management, Fine Arts, Law, Civil Engineering, Computing |
| Official Website | https://www.bolton.ac.uk/ |
Which One is right for You?
It’s a challenging task when you have multiple options and each of them is greater than the others. The same goes for choosing the right university in Manchester. The city is home to some of the best universities in the UK and attracts students from all over the world. To help students choose the right university in Manchester, we have listed some easy and helpful steps.
Consider the Right Subject
The subject you choose to study in college will shape your future. So, it is fundamental to be 100% sure about your field of study. Academic experts recommend research and read about different subjects and their career prospects before choosing any subject and the university in Manchester offering them.
Check University Rankings
When searching for universities, make sure to check all the national and international ranking tables and campus lifestyle. Individual subject rankings are equally important, especially when you are choosing from top universities. Some students give preference to male; female student ratio, while others to student: staff ratio.
Research the University Library
On of the most important parts of a university is its library. As a student, you will spend a lot of your campus life in the library. Make sure that the library features all the academic material and has a comfortable environment. If you are an early bird, you can also consider whether there’s a 24/7 cafe or not.
Check the Course Content
This is a simple and important step, as it allows you to understand what’s on the subject menu you are interested in. Some of the most popular courses offered by the universities in Manchester are in Business, Engineering, Design, Fine Arts, Computer, Law, Machine Learning, Science, etc. You can check each university’s course content on its website, their duration, and other insights.
Compare the Tuition Fee
This might be one of the most significant factors when choosing the right university. Each university in Manchester has a different tuition fee, especially for international students. Make sure to compare the tuition fee according to what your affordability. For example, the tuition fee for Civil Engineering at the University of Manchester is £32,500/ year for international students. Whereas the University of Bolton offers the same course for £15,950/ year.
