University of Manchester

After acceptance to study abroad as an Illinois student in the University of Manchester program, you will need to submit a host university application as well. Navigate to the Host University Application with the link below.

Host University Application

The University of Manchester has provided guidance on the application process. Please follow these as you fill out the host university application.

Also, as part of the online application you must complete, scan and upload the required supporting documentation. For non-EU exchange students the required supporting documentation is listed below:

• • Most recent academic transcript

  • Proposed study plan form

  • Personal statement

  • Exchange partner or agent/representative nomination form

  • Fall assessment approval form (fall semesters only)

  • A scanned copy of the ID page of your passport

The University of Manchester also notes that they review and process applications in order of the date received. At busy times, it may take 4–6 weeks for them to process an application and issue an offer letter. If you have any external deadlines that you are working towards (ex; a deadline for an external scholarship), please make sure you submit your application to us at least six weeks before your external deadline.

Deadlines are:

• • June 1 for Fall Semester and Academic Year terms

  • November 1 for Spring Semester term

Program Dates

• • Spring Semester 2021: See Key Academic Dates (CANCELLED)

  • Fall Semester 2021: tba

  • Academic Year 2021-22: See Key Academic Dates

Arrival information, including where to go for your airport pick-up on the scheduled day, and about the orientation schedule, will come from the University of Manchester. Therefore, do not book your airline tickets until first verifying the expected arrival and departure dates with them.

For general information, visit the international student welcome guide for getting started at the University.

Students studying abroad at The University of Manchester for a full academic year are guaranteed a room in Manchester accommodation.

Students coming for one semester only are not guaranteed a room, but under normal circumstances are usually allocated one.

Important Notes from the University of Manchester:

• • Please note that catered halls of residence do not provide catering during University vacation periods.

  • Please note that the choice of housing in Semester 2 (January to June) is often very restricted. While the Accommodation Office will strive to allocate you to one of your preferred halls, please understand that it is common for Semester 2 students to be offered a place in an alternative hall.

  • Students applying for September entry must ensure that their online application for housing is submitted no later than July 31st. Students applying for entry in Semester 2 should ensure their application is submitted as soon as possible after receiving their offer letter from us.

Student Voices on Housing

• • I was in Woolton Hall in the Fallowfield Campus area of Manchester. The dorm room was nice, spacious, and was in a relatively safe area. My floormates were very friendly and eager to get to know me. Meals were pretty standard and the staff were very friendly.

  • If you want to make friends very easily, choose student housing.

  • I stayed in student housing and I was able to spend a lot of time with my floormates and get to know them. I went on a few organized trips with the International Society there. I did not get involved in clubs (which would have helped me make some more friends). But, I loved exploring the city and talking with locals. Everyone was so friendly and I truly felt welcomed in Manchester.

  • I was in Woolton Hall in the Fallowfield Campus area of Manchester. The dorm room was nice, spacious, and was in a relatively safe area. My floormates were very friendly and eager to get to know me. Meals were pretty standard and the staff were very friendly.

  • There are different areas of housing at Manchester. Fallowfield campus area is very social and fun. The city area is very easy to get around and the University and city are more easily accessible. But to make sure to integrate with your fellow students while abroad, I suggest staying in Fallowfield where people are very social.

  • If you live in Oak House you will be in a flat with 7 other people (total is 4 guys and 4 girls in the flat). Gives you an opportunity to really get close with locals. I was in Owens Park and the only advantage was that it was catered but I probably wouldn't chosen Oak House if I knew in advance.

  • Pick Fallowfield for the fun and social life. Pick Victoria if you prefer a quieter, more convenient spot.

In the UK, courses are called "modules". Modules can be available for the semester or the full academic year.

You will find a range of teaching and learning methods within the British academic system. Most courses offer a blend of formal lectures and small-group teaching in seminar and/or tutorial format. In science and engineering courses you will do laboratory and special project work. You will be expected to undertake independent study in all subject areas.

Advice on teaching and assessment methods is available from the International Programmes Office (and also during Orientation). Individual tutors in different subject areas can assist with any problems you may encounter in adjusting to the British academic system.

View the University of Manchester Academics Page for detailed information on:

• • Course load

  • Course code descriptions

  • Grading scale

  • Class listings

  • High-demand courses

  • Course restrictions

Transcript

You will need to access your final transcript on the Manchester student portal. To send your digital transcript to Illinois, you will add the email address of your IAGE Education Abroad Coordinator as a recipient. The coordinator will automatically be emailed an access code and proceed from there. The time for receipt and processing can take a few months. Be patient. You can track when your transcript is received by the Office of the Registrar by when the digital copy is uploaded into your My Study Abroad documents.

Note for the University of Manchester, physical transcripts are sent during the summer at the end of the academic year. This means that if you study abroad during the fall of your senior year and intend to graduate the following May, your graduation date would be delayed until August or December.

Student Voices on Academics

• • All of my courses were assessed with a single exam or project and the end of the semester. I highly recommend something to prepare for that as it can be quite surprising when you actually sit down and take the essay style exam. Most American university students will likely study in a very different way that may not be sufficient for examination abroad (at least in the United Kingdom). Also, the grading is extremely slow. I haven't gotten 'official' results yet and it's been two months.

  • The courses were very interesting and the professors were knowledgeable and accessible. The only issue is how different the structure of courses and workload are in England versus the United States. Grades are made up of one paper and one exam, and there's a heavy emphasis on independent study.

The University of Manchester Students' Union is dedicated to the social, educational and welfare needs of all students. Over 100 societies (clubs) are based in the physical Student Union Building.

For more information about cultural engagement and student perspectives, visit Manchester's Youtube Channel.

Student Voices on Engagement

• • I participated in the International Society and a couple of the trips around the UK they provided, and I was involved in a local church on campus.

• What I liked the most was all the people from different countries that I met and the great relationships I built with many of them. Also I loved traveling around Europe and seeing so many lovely cities. What I liked least was probably the consistently poor weather, which wasn't even that big of an issue for me. So overall I loved the experience and would recommend it to anyone.

• Use Revolut! It's a mobile banking app accepted by most businesses.