A Student's Guide to Manchester
So, You've Chosen Manchester—Now What?
Moving to a new city for university can feel overwhelming. When I first arrived in Manchester from Pakistan, there was so much I had to figure out for myself: how to get around, where to study, where to eat, how to meet people and, perhaps most importantly, how to make a completely unfamiliar city feel like home.
After two years at the University of Manchester, I have picked up a few things that I wish someone had told me before I arrived. So, if you are about to become a student in Manchester, here is my unofficial guide to making the most of your time there.
Getting Around: Manchester Is Easier Than It Looks
One of the first things I learnt was that you do not need a car to explore Manchester, or even much of the UK.
The city has a good network of buses and trams, and a lot of the places you need as a student are accessible without driving. I also found myself walking much more than I expected, particularly around the university and city centre.
And Manchester is a fantastic base for travelling further afield. One of my favourite things about studying here has been how easy it is to turn a free day into an adventure. I have travelled with friends and on my own, explored different cities and villages, and gone hiking in places such as the Peak District and the Lake District.
My advice? Don't wait until the holidays to explore. Some of the best trips can happen spontaneously when you realise you have a free weekend or even just a free day.
Finding Your Perfect Study Spot
University life is not just about attending lectures. You will spend a lot of time studying independently, so finding places where you actually enjoy working can make a huge difference.
The Alan Gilbert Learning Commons quickly became one of my favourite places to study. Having access to a study space that is open around the clock is particularly useful when deadlines start approaching, and yes, I have experienced the occasional all-nighter there!
The University of Manchester campus itself also has plenty of places to work, meet friends and take a break between classes.
My biggest piece of advice is to experiment. Try different libraries, study spaces, and cafés; believe me, there are plenty of options until you find somewhere that works for you.
Eating, Coffee and the Student Life Essentials
Food is a surprisingly important part of settling into university life.
Coming from Pakistan and living in catered university accommodation, I didn't suddenly become a master chef! Most of my meals were provided, but on weekends I would alternate between getting a takeaway and making something simple for myself. Sometimes it was an easy meal, sometimes just a snack, but having that little bit of independence in the kitchen was another small part of learning to look after myself.
I also loved how easy it was to find food that reminded me of home while still discovering something new. Manchester's food scene is incredibly diverse, from the famous Curry Mile, with its huge variety of South Asian restaurants, to Chinatown, where you can explore a completely different range of cuisines. For an international student, having so many different cultures and flavours within easy reach makes the city feel even more welcoming.
And then there is coffee.
I quickly developed a habit of finding new coffee spots and trying different drinks. Joining the Coffee Society at university gave me another excuse to explore this interest while meeting people at the same time.
Sometimes university memories really are built around something as simple as getting coffee with a friend between lectures.
How to Make Friends in a City Full of Students
One of the biggest questions international students have is probably: How am I going to make friends?
My answer is: put yourself in places where friendships can happen naturally.
Join societies. Go to events. Volunteer. Try a competition. Talk to the person sitting next to you in a workshop. Say yes to plans, even when you are nervous.
The University of Manchester has hundreds of societies, so you are very likely to find something that interests you, even if it has nothing to do with your degree.
And don't worry if you don't immediately find your people.
I actually missed Freshers' Week because my visa arrived late, which made settling in socially more difficult at first. But eventually I found people I connected with. My friends and I have celebrated birthdays together, had game nights, cooked together, gone for late-night sweet treats and supported one another through exams.
Friendships don't always happen immediately. Give yourself time.
Student Discounts: Your New Best Friend
One of the best things about being a student is learning just how many student discounts are available. Before paying full price for something, it is always worth checking whether there is a student offer on UNiDAYS or Student Beans. Discounts can make everything from food and shopping to entertainment and travel a little more affordable.
After two years, I have become so good at finding discounts that my friends now message or call me before buying practically anything! Whether they are about to make a big purchase online or are sitting in a restaurant or coffee shop wondering if there is a student deal, I have somehow become the unofficial student-discount expert of the group.
My advice? Always ask. The worst that can happen is that there isn't a discount, and you never know when simply showing your student ID might save you some money.
Manchester After Your Lectures
Manchester is a student city, so there is always something happening.
You can spend an afternoon walking around the city, meet friends for coffee, explore a park, attend a society event or simply find somewhere to sit and talk for hours.
And you do not always need a big plan.
Some of my favourite memories have been the simplest ones: sitting in the park with friends, going for coffee, walking around campus, watching the sunset or spontaneously deciding to go somewhere for the day.
You can also explore Manchester on your own. One of the most valuable things I learnt after moving abroad was that you don't have to wait for someone else to be free before doing something you want to do.
Your Accommodation Can Become Your Community
Where you live can have a huge impact on your university experience.
I lived in university accommodation, and my room became my own little space. I decorated it with pictures, posters and things that reminded me of home, alongside memories I collected in Manchester.
But what made the experience special was the community around me.
Having friends living nearby meant that there was almost always someone to have dinner with, study alongside, go for a walk with or make a spontaneous plan with.
University accommodation is not just somewhere to sleep. For many students, it becomes the first place where they build a community in a new country.
Don't Forget to Explore Beyond Manchester
One of my strongest recommendations to any student moving here is to explore beyond the university and the city itself.
Manchester is a great starting point for discovering more of the UK. Some trips can be carefully planned, while others can be as simple as waking up and deciding that you want to see somewhere new.
Travelling has also helped me become much more comfortable doing things independently. I have travelled both with friends and on my own, and both experiences have given me completely different memories.
You do not need to travel far to feel like you have had an adventure.
My Biggest Manchester Tip
Don't spend your entire university experience waiting for the “right time” to do things.
There will always be another assignment, another lecture, another deadline or another reason to stay in your room.
Study hard—but go for the coffee too.
Prepare for your workshop—but take the day trip.
Apply for the opportunity—but join the society just because it sounds fun.
And if you are new to Manchester and everything feels unfamiliar, remember that it will not always feel that way.
Two years ago, I arrived knowing very little about the city. Now, I can walk across campus, meet friends for coffee, jump on a bus for an adventure, settle into my favourite study space and feel completely at home.
Manchester started as the place where I came to study.
Somewhere along the way, it became the place where I built a life.
- Aisha
