Culture
We have found Manchester to be a rich a vibrant city to live in. It is very multicultural and full of students!
Video 3: EXPERIENCING MANCHESTER – student voice
The tabs below give you a little more information about diversity, food, entertainment, and student life in Manchester.
Diversity
Manchester is one of the most multicultural cities in the UK, with nearly 200 languages spoken. You’ll find a wide range of cultural communities and events, from the Manchester International Festival to the Caribbean Carnival. You can explore What’s On in Manchester and as a student, you will also receive updates to your email about the amazing opportunities Manchester has to offer.
Food and drink
The city offers cuisine from practically every culture. Whether you’re looking for vegetarian, halal, or kosher options, you’ll find plenty of choices. If you can’t find what you are looking for, then just ask around. Most international foods can be found in Manchester in both shops and restaurants.
Arts and entertainment
Manchester is known for its music venues, theatres, and art galleries. Places like The Whitworth and palace theatre are popular spots. The What’s On link above
Student life
Manchester Met has a vibrant student community with numerous clubs and societies. Engaging in these can help you meet new people and make the most of your time here.
Weather
Video 4: The Weather – Student Voice
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!
Daylight Saving Time (DST)
Twice a year the time changes. This means there is more daylight during waking hours. It’s worth checking if your phone has the automatic time change settings on, but remember wall clocks and oven timer may need to be manually changed too.
Daylight Hours
Summer: Longer daylight in the evenings, shorter in the mornings.
Winter: Shorter daylight hours overall, with more light in the mornings.
The Summers feel lovely, they light means that you can enjoy late evenings and beautiful sunsets. The Winter days can feel quite long if you are not used to them and you might find yourself starting and finishing your classes in the dark. If you can find time to get out into the daylight in the middle of the day, it really helps!
What to pack
We know that packing and moving countries can be stressful so we have made a list of the most essential things that you should not forget about. We also have some students sharing their experience on what they wished they packed, and what they wish they didn’t!
Video 5: TOP TIPS ON WHAT TO PACK – Student Voice
The International Student Office have put together a really useful packing list to help you choose what to bring.
WHY IS SHOPPING HERE? WHERE DOES IT NEED TO MOVE TO?
Shopping
There are many shops in Manchester and the prices of them can vary quite a lot depending on where you go, so its worth exploring the shops you have nearby and comparing some prices. The biggest shopping centre in Manchester is The Arndale Centre which offers some budget friendly stores as well as some more high end, expensive ones. Right by The Arndale you will also find The Northern Quarter which also contains a lot of shops especially small businesses so its also worth having a look around to see what you can find!
Video 6: Recommendations of places to shop – student voice
Primark and thrift shops are great options for inexpensive items. For groceries, Aldi and Lidl provide quality food at low prices. Additionally, if you want any fresh food and local specialties the Arndale Market is the perfect place to go!
You can also go the Trafford Centre which is HUGE and has both shops and entertainment. If you google it, you’ll see there are lots of public transport options to get there. It’s fun day out too!
On the day you arrive
Video 7: ARRIVING IN MANCHESTER – Nandini Video
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:
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 vists 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.
Accommodation
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.
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.
The following link will cover all relevant factors when renting a house – rent safe, rent secure, Rent Right.
Video 8: ACCOMODATION – Student Voice
Proving you are a student
Starting life in the UK will include needing to get yourself organised with bank accounts, a phone and if you have not already done so, arranging accommodation. Often you may be asked to give proof that you are a student at Manchester Met. You can request a confirmation of enrolment using the link below when it is requested by a bank or for council tax exemption. (More details on these below!)
If you need to request a confirmation of enrolment letter, you can use the following link to submit your request. Click the ‘Create new letter request’ button.
