Introduction

Welcome! This pack is divided into three topics, each focusing on a different part of your journey to studying at Manchester Met. You will find lots of tips to help you settle into life as a Manchester Met student, and about life in Manchester generally. We’ll try to cover everything from what to pack and how to use transport, to where to shop, and how to settle into life.

These are the things that we wish we knew when we began our Man Met life so we hope this helps you navigate yours!

There is a lot of helpful information that is hosted outside of this platform, on the Manchester Met website and other Manchester-based sites. Therefore, as you read through this pack you will find buttons to click on:

The following glossary has been created to introduce terms and acronyms that will be used throughout the pack and that you might hear or read during your university experience. You can refer back to this at any time.

Click the letters at the top to reveal words within the glossary:

You can also download the glossary as a PDF here

Preparation to live in the UK

We know that packing and moving countries can be stressful so below you will find a list of the most essential things that you should not forget about. 

The International Student Office have put together a really useful packing list to help you choose what to bring.

Watch: Our students share their advice on preparing for Manchester's weather

Generally speaking, Summers in Manchester are mild, with temperatures around 21°C (70°F ) – so you’ll need a hat and sunglasses, but winters are cold, with temperatures often around 4°C (40°F ) – so you’ll also need thermals and a very warm winter coat. Waterproof shoes are really useful and you’ll see lots of umbrellas too! You can bring these with you, or you can buy these items when you arrive. The most important thing to know is that the weather is often unpredictable and it can occasionally feel like four seasons in one day – so it’s worth leaving the house prepared!

Text: Manchester's weather can change be quite a lot, so be prepared! We have mild summers and cold winters. There can be a lot of rain throughout the year! We recommend warm layers and a good waterproof jacket. 

Watch: Our students share their experience of travel and arriving at Manchester Airport

We understand how intimidating it can be for when you first arrive, however the university tries to make this day go as smoothly as possible. Before you even arrive in the UK, the university will be in touch with you regarding the information about travel and your arrival. There are certain days where the university will have student ambassadors to guide you on your journey to your accommodation.

However, if for any reason you are arriving at a different time at Manchester Airport, here is a quick guide on how you can get out and into Manchester quickly:

Text: When you arrive at Manchester Airport follow the signs to immigration and customs. Make sure that you have all your documents accessible. This will include your passport, visa and university acceptance letter. 

If you are travelling by train the station is located within the airport and there will be signs indicating to where it is. This offers a really convenient and quick option to travel just make sure that you get on the right platform. If you don’t know what that is, you can always ask around and there will be someone to help.

If you prefer a taxi, there are licensed taxis available outside of the terminals. You will just need to have the location that you want to go to ready. These taxis will accept cash which makes it a better option compared to Uber if you don’t have your bank card available. It is also important to note that if you do want to take an Uber you have to download the Uber app first before booking one.

For those that are on a budget, there are bus services that frequently run from the airport to the city centre. These are always more affordable than the other options so it is a great way to save some money. Buses can seem complicated at first, so we have provided more information on them in the Transport Information section along with more information about all the other modes of transport as well. Manchester is a city with lots of affordable public transport options so its a good idea to familiarise yourself with all the options to figure out which one is the best for you.

If you want more information about Manchester airport you can visit the airport website here. 

If you are arriving into Manchester through other methods or locations this a great site to advise you on how to get here and how to get around.

The most important thing that you will need when moving to Manchester is accommodation and this can be quite a time consuming process. There are two main ‘types’ of accommodation – that offered by the university, and that which is private.

University accommodation is limited, so you need to make sure that if you want accommodation provided by the university, you are paying attention to key dates for when this opens and apply as soon as possible so that you don’t miss out.

Private accommodation is the other option. Here you can find a place you want to live at and will sign a contract with a landlord or agent. This process can seem a little more intimidating but it does give you a lot more freedom on where you live. The university has resources available including Manchester Student Homes. You’ll find the link to Student Homes and more accommodation information in the ‘Accommodation’ link below.

The following link will cover; accommodation options, how to find accommodation, rent, and your rights.

 

The following link will cover all relevant factors when renting a house – rent safe, rent secure, Rent Right.

 If you end up renting privately, then you need to understand your rights as a tenant and what you can expect of your landlord. The link below explains this in more detail. In November 2025, the rights of tenants changed, so it’s worth understanding enough about this to support your stay.

Watch: Our students share their experiences around accommodation.

Documentation for studying in the UK

When you move you might have lots of questions about documentations especially around what you need and the specifics of them at Manchester Met. The university’s International office will help you navigate the pre-arrival process and all the documentation you will need. Below is more about what you will need and links to the International Office’s information and advice.

Visas are neccesary for you to come into the UK and be a student, the International Office will help you with this process and will indicate to you which visa you will need and what your visa means you can do in the UK.

The following link will cover; how to apply for a UK student visa, what documents need to be kept ready, how to avoid delays in your application and what to do if your visa is delayed.

Your CAS is a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies which is an identifier given to you by Manchester Met.

The following link will cover more information on what a CAS is, the eligibility for it, how to apply and how to use CAS for your visa application.

University information

Here you will find the Manchester Met campus map, which includes the main buildings, accommodation, parking and more. 

Campus Map

The following link will cover the faculties, institutes and services within Manchester Met so that you have more information on how everything works

Funding and scholarships are a great way to get some extra money while at University and will take away some of the financial stress that you may feel as a student. There are many that you can apply for as an International Student but do note that it is not guaranteed that you will get anything so don’t base any budgeting decisions on these unless you have something already confirmed.

The following link will cover the fees that you will have to keep in mind while at university as well as how to navigate this and then what funding options are available for you

The following link will cover some of the international scholarships and funding that may be available for you to apply