Our consultant Edwin had the opportunity to join a select number of counsellors from across North America on an “Explore England” tour that will cover visits to Northumbria, Lancaster, The University of Manchester, Keele, and the University of Birmingham. We’ll post updates and photos from his trip so follow along to see where he’s headed!
Third stop: University of Manchester
Started as a mechanics institution in the city of Manchester during the Industrial Revolution in 1824, the Victoria University of Manchester merged with University Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) in 2004, and today, the University of Manchester is one of the UK’s largest universities with a student population of nearly 40,000.
With 25 Nobel Laureates crowning its academic achievements, the University of Manchester offers small group teaching (normally up to 12 students in tutorials), online collaborations and activities, and cutting edge e-learning technology, such as wikis, that go beyond the traditional lecture format to engage students in a diverse manner.
Notable quick facts about the school
- Member of the UK Russell Group (UK equivalent to the Ivy League); US News Rankings – World Ranking: 59th, UK Ranking: 7th
- 83% of the research faculty is judged to be ‘world leading’ and ‘internationally excellent”
- International student populations:
- Canada: 74 full-time, 33 on study abroad and exchange
- US: 150 full-time, 242 study abroad and exchange
- The Rutherford Room: In this room, in 1911, physicist Ernest Rutherford discovered the atomic nucleus. In
1917, he performed the transmutation of nitrogen to oxygen, becoming the first scientist to split the atom, and establishing the field of nuclear physics. The Room still has the original wooden laboratory tables with apparatus drawers that were used. - Andre Geim and Kostya Novoselov isolated graphene for the first time here. Graphene can be found in sporting equipment such as the frame of the Head Speed Pro tennis racquet, which is currently the racket of choice for Novak Djokovic, the current #2 ranked men’s tennis player in the world.
- Famous landmarks and facilities: The Manchester Museum, housing works of anthropology, archaeology, and natural history; the award-winning Whitworth Art Gallery, the Jodrell Bank Observatory with radio telescopes; the John Rylands Library, which houses the largest special collection in the UK
- Eight of the world’s current prime ministers and presidents were educated here.
- Some famous musical artists who studied here: Oasis, Stone Roses, and Simply Red
Programs
In the Spotlight: Law and Criminology
The school’s career and employability services are some of the best among universities in the UK. In the Law and Criminology program, which is one of the more popular programs, students can aim for careers as a solicitor or a barrister, and U of Manchester offers CV and interview skills development, Criminology Careers events, School of Law Skills Sessions and careers fairs. Students can also learn from observing cases in the legal advice centre.
Missing in Action: Hospitality and Tourism Management
A Hospitality and Tourism Management program is not offered.
Student Experience
What the Students Say
“The University of Manchester is a large university, but has a small-school feel.”
Student Panel
- Sara: BSc (Hons) Mathematics and Physics, School of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Science and Engineering.
- Alicia: BA (Hons) English Literature and American Studies, School of Arts, Languages and Cultures.
- Tony: BA (Hons) Economics and Politics, School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities.
Why U of Manchester?
- International airport for direct flights; geography and location of Manchester.
- History and culture are so rich. Einstein lectured here!
- Student diversity: rich social interaction.
- 3-year program is shorter than programs in the US or Canada.
- Reputation of the university: Ranked 7th in the UK.
- Lots of extracurricular activities, including a quidditch club.
- T4 visa allows students to work up to 20 hours/week during their course of study.
- Students can make visits to the rest of the UK.
- Campus housing is better than dormitories, such as those in the US.
- Pastoral care is available (to offer students personal, social and emotional support).
What about Academics?
- Each student has an academic advisor/personal tutor, with whom they can meet weekly (5 people per group).
- Different grading systems from the systems in the US and Canada.
- Programs more intensively focused on course of study.
- Professors are very approachable.
- Sara (Physics): interested in the Human Brain Project; summer work set-up and research opportunities, i.e. at ATLAS, a particle detector experiment at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland.
- Career services are fantastic – social media connection with students.
- Instruction style: lectures and tutorials, and few assignments (one or two). Time management is vital. Do tutorial work every week.
- Record and podcast of all the lectures to keep up with the pace of learning.
- Online textbooks are available.
Is there Financial Aid?
- US FAFSA approved.
- Not many scholarships for international students: British Telecom (BT) scholarship £5,000.
- Fulbright Scholarships for Graduate studies.
- Marshall Scholarships.
- Day-to-day cost of living: catered halls keep the food costs low.
- Manchester is affordable; not pricey compared to London. Clothing is expensive.
Working as a Student: Tier 4 Visa coverage – Social Sciences
Ex: BSc in International Disease Management & Humanitarian Response
Internships: They are usually 3 months, during vacation time. Internships are popular with major organizations and companies, normally done pre-final year of study. They are paid.
Work placements: These paid placements can be part of a course or completed during vacation time. They can be set up by a student or by the course staff.
Part-time work: This can be applied for by the students. Students are required to register their language ability on Careerslink.
Volunteering: Unpaid experience opportunities are available with international societies (i.e. “Rocket Ship Project”) and organization, sports departments.
