Manchester’s Universities

Spotlight on Manchester’s Universities

Manchester has an ever-growing population and part of this is thanks to the many Higher Education institutions in and around the city.

With 10% of the local population being made up of students, Manchester is the place to be for those who like to work hard and play hard. Indeed, the city has been voted the third best student city in the UK (after London and Edinburgh) – an accolade that’s no surprise when you look at the range and quality of Manchester’s universities.

So, which is the best university in Manchester? Statistically speaking, it’s the University of Manchester, based on Oxford Road, which currently stands at number 33 in the world, according to the QS World University Rankings. That’s a pretty impressive statistic.

But, as we’re sure Manchester’s students will agree, the reasons that people flock to the city to study go beyond university rankings. The excellent night life, wonderful culture, busy events calendar, great job prospects and diverse population are just some of the reasons why thousands of students – both the young and more mature – land in Manchester each September. These factors, coupled with the number of institutions on offer, ensure that property is always in demand.

Manchester Metropolitan University’s main campus neighbours the University of Manchester, forming part of the Oxford Road Corridor. It is rated in particular for arts and technology subjects, and is one of the country’s most popular new universities.

The close proximity of these two universities means that apartments are always sought after on the southern side of the city. Their nearness to the city’s main railway stations and central shopping area also means that many students choose to live slap-bang in the middle of the city, too, in areas like Piccadilly Basin, the Northern Quarter, Castlefield and the Village.

Just around the corner is the University of Salford, with its main campus just one and a half miles from Manchester city centre – in other words, walking distance, meaning many of its attendees choose to live on the Manchester side of the river. There is a further campus at MediaCityUK, meaning that the waterside apartments of Salford Quays are also very popular with Salford’s students.

The Royal Northern College of Music is also based in the Oxford Road Corridor, bringing those with a musical bent into the area. Furthermore, both the University of Bolton and Edge Hill University are within commuting distance. In fact, some students travel as far as the several universities based in the Liverpool and Leeds areas for study, being able to do so thanks to Manchester’s excellent transport links.

All this adds up to a continual need for more and more accommodation in Manchester. Although property development came to something of a standstill during the economic recession, building is now in full flow once more, with new apartment blocks springing up continually. All in all, Manchester is a great choice for those seeking to enjoy the university lifestyle, or to invest in property to house the many students about town.

At Julie Twist Properties, we take the student population very seriously. After all, they form a large proportion of our client base! Whether you are a student looking to rent in the city or an investor thinking of acquiring some rental apartments locally, we can help you get on the right track. Visit our sales and rentals pages today to see our current stock.