We were established in 2008, with the principal aim of enhancing research and insight into one of the world’s most pressing challenges: climate change.
Despite 20 years of rhetoric regarding the urgent need to address modern consumption patterns, we were among the first major research institutes to place consumption and its unsustainability at the heart of research enquiry.
Our pioneering taught courses draw upon our world-leading research and our strong links to global industry. You’ll quickly develop skills, knowledge and experience that will make employers sit up and listen.
With a breadth of research activity that's unrivalled in the UK, we work across disciplines and beyond the University, connecting the brightest minds to find innovative solutions to the world's greatest challenges.
The University of Manchester’s research has real-world impact beyond academia. We are at the forefront of the search for solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems, seeking to be a global force for positive change.
There are a number of activities you can get involved in.
We ensure our Philosophy research students have an excellent workspace in the area around the academic staff offices.Desks (with PCs) are officially allocated on a ‘hot-desking’ basis, but in practice students who regularly study in the department are normally able to keep the same desk.The workspace includes a kitchen area, a small comfy seating area, lockers, and the Peter Goldie Library, left to us by the late Peter Goldie. It provides a friendly and collegial environment that promotes informal interaction both between students and between students and staff.
Studying abroad is an exciting idea! It is the best way to improve your language skills and immerse yourself in another culture. We understand that moving to a new country can be a scary process, but with many years of experience, we are here to make your journey as easy as possible. We will advise you on the best options available and support you throughout your studies.
For students looking to study off-campus, Amber Student has stepped in to offer a home away from home while providing affordable, safe, and hygienic student accommodation in Sheffield. Check out the options available here: https://amberstudent.com/places/search/manchester-1811021510595
The University Library is one of only five UK libraries designated as 'National Research Libraries' (along with Cambridge University Library, the Bodleian in Oxford, and two libraries in London).
All of our buildings are in the same general area of the city and are within easy walking distance of each other, making getting around our campus simple.
There are regular shuttle buses to pick up and drop off students at various points around the campus. These are also highlighted on the campus map.
Armitage Sports Centre
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
By TopUniversities
Dropped 5 places compared to 2026
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 34 | 35 | 40 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By U.S. News & World Report
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 67 | 68 | 68 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By Times Higher Education
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2027 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 53 | 56 | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2026 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 52 | 46 | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Based on 99 reviews
The Politics and Sociology programme at University of Manchester offers a strong and genuinely engaging combination of political analysis and the study of society, giving students a broad understanding of how power, inequality and social structures interact. The course does lean heavily into theory, especially early on, but this builds a solid foundation and makes later topics more meaningful. As part of the BASS (BA Social Sciences) structure, it�s very flexible and open, with the chance to explore different areas and mix with students from a wide range of disciplines, which creates a diverse and intellectually stimulating environment. That said, the size of the course means classes can feel quite large, and the social side isn�t always perfect as some people can come across as a bit cliquey or even rude, and it can be difficult at first if you�re not from a more traditionally �upper-class� or well-off background. However, this isn�t the whole picture; the university is very diverse overall, and most people do eventually find their group and settle in. The professors are generally passionate and clearly care about their subjects, which makes a big difference academically. It�s also a demanding course, with lots of reading and essay writing, but that challenge adds to its value. Overall, it�s a flexible and worthwhile degree that I would recommend, as long as you�re prepared for the scale of the university and the effort needed to find your place within it.
Inspite of having global reputation, I didn't find that in classes and in lectures. Tuition fee is too high and very limited opportunity for master's funding. I would recommended to choose wisely and think twice
The lecturers are established researchers in their fields so I feel like the quality of the education is great in that respect. However we lost a lot of lectures due to many many many strikes and course materials in the first year were delivered online and reused from the previous year so it felt like I did not get my money's worth. Student halls owened by the university were very very poor quality, rat infested, outdated and unsafe.
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