Manchester University - In Depth

Founded: 2004 as a single university, from merger Victoria University of Manchester (founded 1851) and UMIST (founded 1824), after 100 years of working together (shared accommodation, welfare etc).

Site: Single campus, a mile south of city centre.

How to get there: Manchester well-connected by coach and rail (to Manchester Piccadilly and Victoria stations; 2 hrs 40 mins from London), by road (M6/M56, M61, M62, M67), and by air to Manchester International Airport (10 miles south of city centre). Many buses from city centre down Oxford Road.

Special features: Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope; Nuffield radio astronomy laboratories at Jodrell Bank; University Theatre, Science Park, Manchester Museum, Whitworth Art Gallery. Joint Centre for European Studies.

Awarding body: Manchester University.

Main undergraduate awards: BA, BSc, BEng, MEng, BSocSci, BDS, BNurs, LLB, MBChB, MusB, MChem, MEng, MMath, MNeuroSc, MOptom, MPharm, MPhys, MMatSci.

Length of courses: 3 years; 4 years (eg nursing, u/g Master's); 5-6 years (medicine, dentistry).

Library & information services: John Rylands University library, over 3.5 million volumes, 8900 periodicals, 2460 study places, course books on reference, CDRoms, national databases. Also over 1 million mss and 800,000 microform titles.

Specialist collections: Joule Library (science & engineering), Lewis Library (humanities), Charters, early printed and rare books, manuscripts, military documents, archives (eg of Manchester Guardian). Annual expenditure on information provision, £149 per (FTE) student. Separate IT service; over 6000 PCs (ratio 1:3 workstations to students), most with access to library and internet. Induction sessions to library and information services, guides and information sheets (printed and electronic); dedicated training suites and courses in IT skills.

Study abroad: 14% of students spend a period abroad.

Student advice & services: Central academic advisory service, counsellors, student health service, SU welfare office, inter-denominational chapel, day nursery.

Careers: Information, advice and placement service.

Amenities: SU bars, live music venue, second-hand bookshop, student market etc.

Sporting facilities: Indoor sports centres, wide range of outdoor sport (Firs Athletic Ground, athletics union, boathouse, yacht club, football pitches), partner in Commonwealth Games swimming pool.

Accommodation: 100% of first years in university accommodation (guaranteed for all with confirmed places), 40% of all students. 9400 places available: rents ranging £50-£90 per week self-catering, £80-£95 half board; some term-time contracts, some Sept-June. Students live in privately owned accommodation for 1-2 years on average: rents £45-£60 pw for self-catering.

Living expenses budget: Minimum budget of £7500 pa (excluding tuition fees) recommended by university.

Term-time work: No university policy on term-time work or maximum hours. Part-time and casual work in university (eg in library, university offices) and SU (in cafes, bars); many jobs in shops, cafes, bars in city or in Trafford Centre. Term-time and vacation jobs advertised by Tempwise (run by careers service) and Careers Express (by SU).

Financial help: Limited assistance is available in exceptional circumstances.

Tuition fees: Home students up to £1200 pa for first degrees (in 2005). International students pay £8300 pa (classroom), £10,750 (lab/studio), £19,450 (clinical).