The University of Manchester is a public research university in England with more than 46,000 students, of whom 14,475 come from outside the EU.[1] It is ranked 40th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, down from 35th the year before.[1][2]
On the course pages for 2027 entry, home undergraduate tuition is £10,050 for 2027/28 and international undergraduate tuition runs from £29,800 to £41,900 depending on the programme.[3][4][5] The example master’s degree MSc Economics costs £16,600 for UK students and £35,300 for international students.[6] The university may raise international fees by up to 7% a year.[3] Undergraduates apply through UCAS.[7]
Key facts
| Official name | The University of Manchester |
| Location | Manchester, England (main campus on Oxford Road)[8] |
| Type | Public research university; member of the Russell Group[8] |
| Founded | Earliest roots in 1824 (Manchester Mechanics’ Institution); present university created in 2004 by merging the Victoria University of Manchester and UMIST[1] |
| Students | More than 46,000, of whom 14,475 are from outside the EU (the About page says “more than 44,000”)[1] |
| Staff | About 12,000[9] |
| Faculties | Three: Biology, Medicine and Health; Science and Engineering; Humanities[8] |
| Study programmes | More than 1,000 degree programmes[1] |
| Nobel laureates | 26 affiliated[1] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 40th[2] |
| Home undergraduate fee, 2027/28 | £10,050[3] |
| International undergraduate fee, 2027/28 | £29,800 (LLB Law with International Study) to £41,900 (BSc Fashion Buying and Merchandising); £39,700 for BSc Computer Science[3] |
| MSc Economics, 2027 entry | UK £16,600 · international £35,300 per year[6] |
| Official website | manchester.ac.uk |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.
About the University of Manchester
The university’s earliest roots go back to 1824 and the Manchester Mechanics’ Institution. Its present form was created in 2004 by merging the Victoria University of Manchester and the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST).[1] Wikipedia adds that Owens College was founded in 1851, was absorbed by the Victoria University of Manchester in 1904, and that the current university received its royal charter on 1 October 2004.[8]
The university describes itself as part of the Russell Group, with about 12,000 staff and, on its About page, “more than 44,000 students”.[9] Its August 2026 facts document gives “46,000+ students”, 14,475 of them from outside the EU.[1] We use the figure from the dated document and name both, because the university’s own pages disagree.
Academically it is organised in three faculties: Biology, Medicine and Health; Science and Engineering; and Humanities.[8] The facts document lists more than 1,000 degree programmes and 26 affiliated Nobel laureates.[1]
How is the University of Manchester ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, the University of Manchester is 40th in the world. The university’s facts document lists “QS World University Rankings (2027): 40”,[1] and its news release speaks of a place in the top 40 with an overall score of 84.6, after 35th place in the 2026 ranking.[2] A summary of the ranking puts it 7th among UK universities.[10]
The news release also names the following QS positions: 7th for international research collaboration, 10th for sustainability, 28th for employer reputation and 32nd for academic reputation.[2]
The facts document adds the Academic Ranking of World Universities (2026): 51st in the world and 6th in the UK, and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026: 56th.[1] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at the University of Manchester?
The university offers more than 1,000 degree programmes across three faculties.[1] Each programme has its own course page with entry requirements, fees and the application route.[3]
The facts document highlights five research areas: global inequalities, advanced materials, biotechnology, cancer and energy.[1] It also says that the university’s students’ union has more than 400 clubs and societies.[1]
How much does the University of Manchester cost?
Manchester publishes first-year fees on each course page, not in one table.[3] The course pages we read currently show 2027 entry (the 2027/28 academic year). We did not read 2026/27 amounts, so if you start in September 2026 check the page for your year.
| Programme (example) | International fee per year |
|---|---|
| LLB Law with International Study (undergraduate, 2027/28) | £29,800 |
| BSc Computer Science (undergraduate, 2027/28) | £39,700 |
| BSc Fashion Buying and Merchandising (undergraduate, 2027/28) | £41,900 |
| MSc Economics (master’s, full-time, 2027 entry) | £35,300 |
Sources for the rows: Computer Science,[3] Law,[4] Fashion[5] and MSc Economics.[6] The fee for international students is higher than the home fee: for undergraduates the home fee is £10,050 for 2027/28, the Government cap for England and Wales, and for the MSc Economics it is £16,600 for UK students.[3][6]
For later years the university reserves the right to raise the international undergraduate fee by up to 7% a year, and does the same for master’s courses lasting more than one year.[3][6] Check the course page for any additional compulsory costs.
How do you apply to the University of Manchester?
- Undergraduate: all UK and international students apply through UCAS. The university’s UCAS code is M20 MANU, and UCAS charges an application fee.[7]
- Postgraduate: there is no official closing date for most taught courses and research programmes, though the university advises applying early. Where a programme has a closing date, it appears in the course details. Detailed guidance is on the master’s and postgraduate research pages.[11]
We give no deadlines here because they change every year and differ by programme. Check the course page before you start.
Which English level do you need?
The UK’s visa authority requires every student who needs a Student Route visa to show at least CEFR level B2 in English (the European scale from A1 to C2; B2 is upper-intermediate). Academic schools may ask for more, and the level is given on each course profile.[12]
Acceptable tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, Pearson and Trinity ISE are normally valid for two years from the test date and must be valid on the first day of Welcome Week.[12] Nationals of the countries on the UK government’s majority English-speaking list (for example Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, the USA) and nationals of Canada may be exempt, and so may holders of a bachelor’s degree or higher from the countries on that list.[12] Courses below degree level need a UKVI-approved Secure English Language Test.[12]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the University of Manchester cost for international students?
What is the home tuition fee at the University of Manchester?
The home undergraduate fee is £10,050 for 2027/28, in line with the Government cap for England and Wales.[3]
How is the University of Manchester ranked?
How do I apply for an undergraduate degree?
Through UCAS, using the code M20 MANU. UCAS charges an application fee.[7]
Do I need an English test?
Usually yes, unless you are exempt, for example as a national or degree holder of a majority English-speaking country. You need at least B2 for a Student Route visa, and your course may ask for more.[12]
More about studying in United Kingdom (UK)
- United Kingdom (UK): best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in United Kingdom (UK)
- Durham University
- Imperial College London
- King’s College London
- London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
- Queen Mary University of London
- University College London (UCL)
- University of Birmingham
- University of Bristol
- University of Cambridge
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Exeter
- University of Glasgow
- University of Leeds
- University of Nottingham
- University of Oxford
- University of Sheffield
- University of Southampton
- University of Warwick
- University of York
Sources
[1] The University of Manchester: University facts and script (document dated August 2026)
[2] The University of Manchester: in top 40 in QS World University Rankings 2027 (news release of 18 Jun 2026; it gives “top 40”, the number 40 comes from the facts document)
[3] The University of Manchester: BSc Computer Science, fees and funding (2027 entry) (page without a date; shows fees for 2027/28)
[4] The University of Manchester: LLB Law with International Study (2027 entry) (page without a date; shows fees for 2027/28)
[5] The University of Manchester: BSc Fashion Buying and Merchandising (2027 entry) (page without a date; shows fees for 2027/28)
[6] The University of Manchester: MSc Economics (2027 entry) (page without a date)
[7] The University of Manchester: Undergraduate applications for international students (page without a date)
[8] Wikipedia: University of Manchester (history, faculties and location)
[9] The University of Manchester: About us (page without a date)
[10] Scholarship Scanner: QS World University Rankings 2027 released (QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (article dated 18 Jun (2026 shown in the page footer); aggregator)
[11] The University of Manchester: Postgraduate applications for international students (page without a date)
[12] The University of Manchester: English language requirements (page without a date)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.