The University of Manchester is one of the UK’s largest universities and a founding member of the Russell Group. It’s famous for its research, from splitting the atom to the discovery of graphene, and it’s in one of the UK’s biggest student cities, with great music, sport and culture. Manchester attracts many international students and offers a very wide range of courses.
For most Manchester courses starting in September 2027, the UCAS deadline is 13 January 2027. Here are 10 things you can do to give yourself the best chance, based on Manchester’s own guidance. If you’re applying for a master’s or PhD instead, see the section near the end.
1. Choose your course and check its requirements
Each Manchester course page lists its typical offer, required subjects, English requirement and fees. Read it carefully, because requirements vary a lot between courses. Look at the course structure too: many courses offer a placement year or a year studying abroad.
2. Achieve the typical offer
For example, for 2027 entry, BSc Economics asks for AAA at A level including Mathematics, or 36 points in the IB with 6, 6, 6 at Higher Level including Mathematics. Manchester also accepts many international qualifications, and students who don’t meet the academic requirements can take an international foundation programme with its partner, INTO Manchester. Manchester BSc Economics.
3. Make your personal statement count
For many Manchester courses, there’s no interview or admissions test, so your written application does all the work. For BSc Economics, for example, Manchester says it considers your past and predicted grades, your reference and your personal statement, and doesn’t interview.
Since 2026 entry, the UCAS personal statement has been split into three questions: why this course, how your studies have prepared you, and what else you’ve done outside education. Together they must fit into 4,000 characters, and each answer needs at least 350. If you’ve done an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), Manchester encourages you to mention it in your personal statement. Be specific: one book, project or problem you’ve explored in depth says more than a long list of activities.
4. Check for interviews and tests on some courses
Some Manchester courses do have extra steps. Medicine, dentistry and some health courses use the UCAT and interviews, and creative courses may ask for a portfolio or audition. If you’re hoping to study medicine or dentistry, note that the UCAS deadline for 2027 entry was 15 October 2026, and you’d also have needed to sit the UCAT, so you’d now be planning for 2028 entry.
5. Show your interest beyond school
Strong applicants show that they’ve explored their subject on their own. Read books and articles about your subject, take a free online course, enter a competition or try a project. In your personal statement, explain what interested you and what you learned, rather than just listing activities.
6. Get a strong reference
Your school’s reference and predicted grades carry real weight with Manchester, because most offers are made before you sit your final exams. Talk to your teachers early, share what you’re planning to write in your personal statement, and make sure your predicted grades are realistic but meet the typical offer.
7. Apply by 13 January 2027
For September 2027 entry, most Manchester courses have a UCAS equal consideration deadline of 6pm UK time on 13 January 2027. Applications sent in October and in January are treated the same, so take the time to get your personal statement and reference right.
8. Meet the English requirement
Many Manchester courses, including BSc Economics, ask for IELTS 6.5 overall with no part below 6.0, but some need more: BSc Education, for example, asks for 6.5 in writing. Manchester accepts in-person IELTS tests taken in official test centres only, and some test results are only valid for two years. Practise with our free IELTS, TOEFL and PTE practice tests.
9. Budget and apply for a Global Futures Scholarship
For 2027 entry, Manchester’s international fees are, for example, £35,300 a year for BSc Economics and BSc International Management, and £32,000 a year for BSc Education. For help with costs, Manchester says it will offer more than 350 Global Futures Scholarships, worth over £6 million in total, to international students starting in September 2027. They’re merit-based awards, open to students from eligible countries, and paid as a discount on tuition fees. Check the scholarship page for your country’s eligibility and values.
10. Get ready for your Student visa
If you need a UK Student visa, Manchester will send you a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) after you’ve firmly accepted your offer and met its conditions. Apply for your visa as soon as you have it, and keep evidence that you can pay your tuition fees and living costs. The Graduate Route, which lets you work in the UK after your degree, is due to drop from two years to 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027. Rules can change, so always check GOV.UK.
Applying for a master’s or PhD at Manchester?
Manchester offers many one-year master’s degrees and PhDs, including programmes at Alliance Manchester Business School and in computer science, engineering and AI. Each programme sets its own requirements and deadlines. You apply directly to the university, not through UCAS. Most programmes ask for a good first degree (often a UK upper second-class degree or the equivalent), a personal statement, references and, for international applicants, an English test. See our 50 sample SOPs, free GRE and GMAT practice tests, and our guide to the best AI master’s degrees in the UK.
Be ambitious, but apply to a balanced list
Manchester turns down many strong applicants every year, because there are more excellent students than places. Use your five UCAS choices wisely: apply to Manchester if it’s right for you, and include universities where your chances are good. Read our guides to other Russell Group universities, including Leeds, Liverpool, Sheffield and Birmingham. Our guide to studying in the UK explains how UK universities work, and our free study abroad assessment can help you build a shortlist.
Information was taken from the University of Manchester’s official 2027 course pages and international scholarship pages, and checked in October 2026. Entry requirements, deadlines, tests, fees and visa rules can change, so always confirm the details on Manchester’s undergraduate website before you apply. StudyAbroadMarket is not affiliated with the University of Manchester.