The University of Manchester is a sought-after public research university in Manchester, England. As per QS Rankings 2023, the University ranks 28 among global universities. The University is more liberal than others in granting student admissions as the University of Manchester acceptance rate is pretty high compared to others.
Acceptance Rate
With a 70% acceptance rate (for Fall 2021), the University is moderately selective. It opens its gates to nearly 40,000 students worldwide – 26,000 for undergraduate courses and 14,000 for postgraduate, respectively.
Admission eligibility criteria
The University of Manchester offers graduate, postgraduate, and doctoral courses to students from around the world. So, the University of Manchester admission criteria also differs based on the course of study. Furthermore, the admission criteria also vary depending upon the Board from which the student has pursued the course – National Board or State Boards
The following are the admission criteria for students applying for an undergraduate course and who have completed their Higher Secondary education from a National Board (ISC or CBSE) -
All students who have completed their Higher Secondary education from a National Board with an overall percentage of at least 80 to 95% are given direct entry to an undergraduate course. The percentage requirements may vary depending upon the course. Further information can be gathered from the University's International Office.
Students with an overall percentage of a minimum of 70% but lower than 85% (including a minimum of 65% in English and 75% in Physics or Mathematics) are considered for admissions for the University's courses with an Integration Year programme.
The University of Manchester offers an opportunity to students from the following State Boards to apply for their undergraduate courses – Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Karnataka, and West Bengal.
The admission criteria for such students are as follows –
Students will be offered direct entry admissions provided they have achieved at least 80 to 95% overall.
Students who have studied from State Boards not mentioned above will be considered for any INTO Manchester Foundation programmes, provided they have achieved an overall percentage of at least 65% or higher.
The University of Manchester does not grant Indian students from State Boards admission to their courses in Medicine.
The University of Manchester admission criteria for postgraduate students depends upon the chosen course type. These include –
Students will be considered for Master's courses such as MA, MSc, and MRes provided they have completed a three-year undergraduate course with First Class from a reputed University. This would range between 60% to 80% depending upon the grading scale of the University. The programme description further lists down additional requirements.
Applicants to the Manchester MBA program must possess relevant work experience of at least three years. There are other entry requirements as well.
Besides the criteria mentioned above, all international applicants entering the UK through a Student Route/Tier 4 visa must prove proficiency in English. The minimum requirements for this are mentioned in the University's course description.
The University of Manchester may consider the English scores from a reputed Board and global tests like TOEFL, IELTS, etc.
Documents required
The University of Manchester admission requirements include the submission of specific supporting documents. The primary documents that applicants to the undergraduate course need to furnish include –
Application form, which can be accessed by creating an account on the University portal
Higher Secondary qualification evidence, which includes documents like transcripts and certificates
Proof of proficiency in the English language
Personal Statement
Two references, who will be later asked to submit a reference directly to the University portal
Additional documentation requirements may vary depending upon the departments, and the info can be found on the respective departmental websites.
Applicants to postgraduate courses need to furnish the following documents –
Application form which can be accessed after creating an account on the University portal
Bachelor’s qualification evidence in the form of certificates and transcripts
Research proposal
Personal Statement
Two references will be asked to submit a reference directly to the University portal
Tests required and average scores
The University of Manchester admission criteria also includes general and departmental tests.
For undergraduate course applicants whose first language is not English, proficiency must be proved via a recognized English Language test. This could be IELTS, TOEFL, or an English qualification like Norwegian Vitnemal or Jong Kong O-level. The tests should be taken two years before applying to the University of Manchester.
The minimum qualifying score for IELTS is 6.0 (or equivalent), and the score in the individual component must not go below 5.5. Certain subjects may require a higher score than others.
Under general tests for postgraduate course applicants comes proof of English Language proficiency. Though the tests and average scores may vary among departments, they are usually equivalent to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), with average scores ranging from 6.0 to 7.5.
Popular courses
With plenty of options to choose from, students can enroll in the course of their choice. Some of the top undergraduate courses offered by the University include –
Aerospace Engineering
Ancient History and Archaeology
Biomedical Sciences
Chemical Engineering
English Literature and Drama
Environmental Management
Fashion Marketing
Genetics
International Management
Microbiology
Speech with Language Therapy
Zoology
Some of the top postgraduate courses offered by the University of Manchester include –
Plant Science
Physics with Astrophysics
Pharmacology
Mechatronic Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Developmental Biology
Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology
Biomedical Sciences
Anatomical Sciences
How the University of Manchester evaluates applicants
The University of Manchester follows a rigid protocol and structured applicant assessment framework to ensure that students with the most potential are chosen for each course. In general, the following factors are taken into consideration –
Teacher references
Predicted and prior grades
Evidence of commitment and course knowledge as demonstrated in the personal statement
Certain courses also consider applicant performance in aptitude tests, interviews, and portfolios. The information of the same can be found within respective course profiles.
The admission assessment is generally done in five stages, as follows –
Further details on each stage can be found on the University website's Assessing Your Application page.
Throughout the assessment process, the University considers any special circumstances or personal barriers to learning the applicants might have overcome. Even contextual data is used to ensure a 360-degree applicant view.
Tips for applying to the University of Manchester
To lock your chances of securing admission to the University of Manchester, applicants must plan and apply strategically. Given below are a few tips in this regard –
Applicants must take quality time to complete the application process. It's natural to miss something in haste. Don't rush and fill out the form calmly and collectively.
It’s important to ensure there's a good internet connection and the device is charged fully. The best thing to do is to prepare a lengthier version of the text in a Word document which can be backed up on Hard Drive to be later copied and pasted.
Applicants must be scrupulous with the punctuation and grammar used in the personal statement, application form, etc. Such errors can be off-putting for reviewers. It is best to use a spell and grammar checker or ask a trusted friend to proofread the application.
Applicants must ensure documents furnished are written in a formal tone. Professionalism is very important in making an excellent first impression.
It’s best to stop focusing on what might have been and redirect it toward the different milestones and achievements. These must be highlighted in the personal statement and steps laid down for further progress.
Application deadlines
The University of Manchester invites undergraduate and postgraduate applications every year. As for the undergraduate courses, the UCAS application process for the following year begins in September of the current year.
For the year 2023, this process began on September 6th, 2023. Though the hard deadline for international applicants is June 30th, a consideration deadline is given on January 25th until UK time 6 PM. Applicants must apply before this date because some courses have limited seats which fill up rather quickly.
The same for Dentistry or Medicine courses is October 15th until 6 PM UK time.
As for Postgraduate courses, there is no official application closing date. However, the University caters on a first-come-first-serve basis, so applying as early as possible is recommended. Certain courses do have application deadlines, the same is mentioned in the course details.
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