Manchester is an exciting city for studying abroad. Famous for its music, sports and culture, there’s always something to do in Manchester. The city is friendly and full of students, making it easy to meet people. With its cool art scene and history, Manchester is the perfect place to learn English and explore.
Must-See Sights and Travel Essentials
Manchester is known for its significant contributions to the Industrial Revolution. Today, the city blends historical charm with modern attractions and is famous worldwide for its music scene, football teams, and vibrant cultural landscape. With a mix of modern buildings, Victorian architecture, and expansive green spaces, Manchester has grown into a lively urban centre.
Climate
Manchester has a mild temperate climate, with cool summers and mild, rainy winters. Rain is common throughout the year, so packing an umbrella or raincoat is advisable, especially during autumn and winter.
Money
The official currency in Manchester is the British Pound Sterling (GBP, £).
Telephone Country Code
The telephone country code for the UK, including Manchester, is +44.
Electricity
230 V; 50Hz – 3-pin plug
Tap Water
Tap water in Manchester is safe to drink, unless there is a sign to the contrary (e.g. on trains), and is subject to strict quality control measures.
Transportation
Manchester is easily explored on foot, with plenty of pedestrian-only zones. It is possible to traverse the main central locations within around 20-minutes, end-to-end. Manchester is a bike-friendly city with many marked cycle lanes and dedicated routes throughout the city centre and beyond. The city has a well-developed road network with numerous bus, tram, taxi services and ride-sharing options.
Public Transport Info
Metroshuttles are free buses linking the main rail stations, car parks, shopping areas and businesses in Manchester city centre. Metroshuttle buses run from Piccadilly, Salford Central, Victoria, Oxford Road and Deansgate rail stations. There are three circular routes covering the main areas in the city centre.
There are four key train stations in Manchester city centre – Deansgate, Piccadilly, Oxford Road and Victoria. Of these, Piccadilly (one minute from EC Manchester) attracts the most visitors’ and is the main arrival point into the city centre.
Manchester’s Metrolink tram system has been developed to encourage easier and faster travel in the city centre and beyond. Connecting all major railway stations and tourist attractions, the Metrolink runs every few minutes, making it the perfect mode of transport for those who do not require a strict timetable.
Learn more about Manchester’s public transportation here.
More information about public transport may be found here.
Public holidays falling on a weekday
2025: 01 Jan, 18 Apr, 21 Apr, 05 May, 26 May, 25 Aug, 25 Dec, 26 Dec
Visa requirements depend on your nationality and length of stay; most international students will need a student visa to study in the UK. Please contact us for more information.
Legal Driving Age
In the UK, the minimum legal age for driving is 17 years old.
Alcohol Age
The legal age for purchasing alcohol is 18 years old. This applies to all establishments selling alcoholic beverages. Proof of age may be required at bars, pubs, and shops selling alcohol, and many venues in Manchester will ask for identification to verify age.
Smoking Laws
Smoking is prohibited in all enclosed public spaces and workplaces, including restaurants, pubs, and cafes.
Insurance
Students must have adequate health, accident and travel insurance while attending any of our programmes.
Cost of Living
Bottle of water / soda (0.33 litre)
£0.75-£1.50
Coffee/Cappuccino (Starbucks)
£2.25-£3.00
Fast-Food combo meal
£5.00-£6.00
Meal, inexpensive restaurant
£8.00-£20.00
Fitness club (monthly, 1 adult)
£17.00-£35.00
Public transport (local transport)
£2.20-£4.00 (one-way)
Public transport (monthly pass)
£50.00-£80.00
The Northern Quarter is Manchester’s creative heart, packed with independent shops, vintage stores, cafes, and street art. Here you will find art galleries, music venues, and lots of local boutiques.
Football fans shouldn’t miss a tour of Manchester United’s Old Trafford or Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium. Both stadiums offer behind-the-scenes tours that take you through players’ tunnels, pitch-side views, and trophy rooms, immersing you in the history and excitement of these football clubs.
Discover Manchester from a unique perspective by taking a river cruise along its canals. These boat tours offer scenic views of the city’s skyline and historic landmarks, providing a relaxing way to see Manchester.
Located on the Salford Quays, MediaCityUK is a hub for the UK’s media and creative industries, housing the BBC and ITV studios. You can take a tour to get a behind-the-scenes look at how television shows are made or simply enjoy the waterfront area, which is filled with restaurants, cafes, and art installations.
The Albert Hall is one of the city’s most iconic venues. Housed in a converted Wesleyan chapel, the hall hosts a range of live music events and is loved for its stunning architecture, unique ambiance, and fantastic acoustics.
Castlefield is a historic part of Manchester, famous for its scenic canals and Roman heritage. It is a great place to take a relaxing walk, enjoy canal-side dining, or explore its cobbled streets and picturesque views. The area also hosts live music events in the summer.
Find out how our international students turned their first steps in language learning into important achievements that changed their lives.
In addition to our General English programme, EC Manchester offers a wide variety of English language courses to help you improve your level for different goals.
General English is our most popular English course and can be taken as a standard course of 20 lessons per week or an Intensive course of 30 classes per week.
English in the City, a course tailored to Manchester, has English classes inspired by the city.
English for Work has a Business English focus. This intensive course combines 20 lessons of General English with 10 lessons focusing on career English.
We also offer goal-specific programmes like IELTS Exam Preparation, as well as English for work, which builds your confidence in professional communication and correspondence. Our IELTS exam course can be taken as 20 lessons (15 hours) or 30 lessons (22.5 hours) per week. The IELTS preparation class starts every Monday.
You can also combine your English course with One-to-One private lessons. Each lesson is 60 minutes and can be taken at any time during your stay in Manchester.
British Council fully accredits our Manchester English school, so you can trust that our courses meet the highest standards for English language education.
At EC Manchester, we offer host family or residence/student apartment accommodation. If you choose a homestay option, you will live with a Manchester family. This is a great option if you want an opportunity to practise your English with a local family over home-cooked meals. If you’re looking for more independence, you may want to consider one of our modern studio apartments with excellent communal spaces.
Practice your English in Manchester
There are many ways you can practise your English every day in Manchester while enjoying the city life. Here are some popular activities for international students we think you will enjoy:
Culture and entertainment
Visit the Manchester Museum or explore the art galleries in the Northern Quarter. Catch some live music at Band on the Wall or the O2 Apollo (Manchester is famous for its music scene). Tour Old Trafford or Etihad Stadium, the homes of Manchester United and Manchester City, or see a show at the Palace Theatre or the Opera House.
Social activities
Join language exchange events in pubs and cafes. Take part in city walking tours. Visit seasonal festivals like the Manchester International Festival or the Christmas Markets.
Everyday learning
Practice your English while shopping at the Arndale Centre or Affleck’s. Join conversation groups at local libraries. Watch films at the cinema to improve your listening. Visit Chinatown to explore other cultures and practise small talk.
Food and drink
Try British food at local pubs. Explore restaurants on Curry Mile. Visit weekend markets like Altrincham Market.
Outdoor activities
Walk or cycle along the canals. Visit Heaton Park or Fletcher Moss Gardens. Take a boat trip on the Ship Canal or hike in the countryside nearby.
These activities help you practise English in real situations while discovering the culture of the city and meeting new people.
Our activity programme helps you discover the best of Manchester while using English outside the classroom. You will meet new people, see new places, and build your confidence.
EC Manchester is in the city centre, a short walk from Piccadilly Station. Being close to a big train station makes it easy to travel around the city and visit other towns and cities across the UK. Enjoy day trips to places like Liverpool or the Peak District or very popular and convenient.
Our school is in Manchester city centre, about a 7-minute walk to Piccadilly Station, which connects you to other towns and cities in the UK when you want to explore the rest of England and the UK.
You may need a visa to study English in Manchester, depending on your nationality and the length of your stay in the UK. Please get in touch with us to find out more about your situation.
Often called ‘the Capital of the North’, Manchester is a top international student city, with the University of Manchester renowned for its contributions to science and technology. The world’s first industrial city, Manchester, has been famous for its entrepreneurial energy ever since, as well as its vibrant music scene, art galleries and iconic football clubs. Manchester’s energetic, creative and youthful atmosphere makes it a perfect place to learn English.
