The University of Manchester is the UK's largest single-site university, with more than 400 undergraduate courses, a city-centre campus, and a research record that includes 25 Nobel laureates among its staff and alumni. For international students it offers something Oxford and Cambridge do not: scale — a huge course range, a large international community, and fees that, while substantial, sit well below the Oxbridge top band.
Fees — 2026-27 (international undergraduates)
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| International undergraduate range | £26,000–£39,900 per year |
| Humanities example (BA Politics and Arabic) | £27,800 per year |
| Home undergraduate fee | £9,790 (2026-27); £10,050 (2027-28, subject to approval) |
| Annual increase cap (international) | Up to 7% a year in later years |
| Master's application fee | £60 (direct portal) |
Laboratory, engineering and clinical subjects sit at the top of the range; classroom-based humanities and social sciences sit at the bottom. Confirm your exact course fee on the course page — the range is wide and the course fee is the binding figure.
Admission requirements and deadlines
Apply through UCAS with up to five choices and the three-question personal statement (4,000 characters). The equal-consideration deadline for most courses is 13 January 2027 at 18:00; Medicine and Dentistry closed on 15 October 2026. Typical offers vary by course: humanities and social sciences commonly ask for ABB–AAA at A-level or 32–36 IB points, while competitive science and engineering courses ask higher. International Baccalaureate examples on published course pages include 34 points with 6,5,5 at Higher Level for several language and politics degrees. English requirements are commonly IELTS 6.0–7.0 overall, varying by course.
Programmes
Manchester offers over 400 undergraduate courses across its three faculties: Humanities (including Alliance Manchester Business School, Law, Social Sciences, Arts, Languages and Cultures), Science and Engineering (including Computer Science, all Engineering disciplines, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Materials and Earth Sciences), and Biology, Medicine and Health. Standout areas include Materials Science (the home of graphene research), Computer Science, Business and Management, Medicine, and Development Studies. Many degrees offer a placement year or study abroad year, including integrated residence-abroad years for language degrees.
City life and costs
Manchester is a major student city — cheaper than London by a wide margin, with a large international student community, direct flights to many countries, and a music, sport and cultural scene that is part of the university's appeal. Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400 a month for accommodation, food, transport and personal spending outside London-level costs, on top of tuition. University accommodation is guaranteed for first-year international students who apply by the deadline in most cases — confirm the current guarantee on the accommodation pages.
Scholarships
Manchester offers international excellence and faculty scholarships, merit-based and awarded on admission or by separate application, plus country-specific awards in some cycles. Amounts are typically partial — a few thousand pounds — not full funding. Chevening and Commonwealth awards fund postgraduate study at Manchester but not undergraduate degrees.
Closing merit guidance
Manchester does not publish a single closing merit; offers are made against published typical grades, and competitive courses (Medicine, Dentistry, Computer Science, Law) admit above the typical offer. Treat the typical offer as the target for most courses and aim one grade above it for competitive ones.
FAQs
What is Manchester's international tuition? £26,000–£39,900 a year for 2026-27 undergraduates, by course.
When is the UCAS deadline? 13 January 2027 at 18:00 for most courses; 15 October 2026 for Medicine and Dentistry.
Is Manchester cheaper than London universities? Yes — both tuition at the top end and, especially, living costs are lower than in London.
Does Manchester offer full undergraduate scholarships? Rarely. Most international undergraduate awards are partial merit scholarships.
Related guides on Pakunii
UCAS Application Guide 2027 · Fully Funded Scholarships 2027 · IELTS Academic Guide
Sources and verification: Manchester international undergraduate tuition £26,000–£39,900, humanities example £27,800, Home £9,790 for 2026-27 and £10,050 for 2027-28 subject to Parliamentary approval, up to 7% annual international increase, and UCAS deadlines (13 January 2027; Medicine/Dentistry 15 October 2026) per University of Manchester published course pages, re-checked October 2026.