🏅 QS World Rank #40
University of Manchester — Full Profile & Ranking 2026
Birthplace of splitting the atom — QS World Rankings 2027 top 40
The University of Manchester is a public research university in Manchester, England, with roots going back to 1824. In the QS World University Rankings 2027 (published June 2026) it is joint 40th in the world, down from 35th in 2026. This guide covers programmes, entry requirements, 2026/27 fees, scholarships for Pakistani applicants and the questions applicants ask most. Every figure is labeled with its year or ranking edition.
University of Manchester Overview
The University of Manchester traces its roots to 1824 and took its present form in 2004, when the Victoria University of Manchester and UMIST merged. It is a member of the Russell Group of UK research universities.
Manchester is known for physics, engineering, materials science and business, and for a long record of scientific discovery, including graphene.
University of Manchester Rankings — QS World University Rankings 2027
Manchester is joint 40th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) in June 2026, down from 35th in the 2026 edition.
Other ranking systems use different methods and may place it differently. This is a QS-specific result, not one universal ranking. Times Higher Education, U.S. News and ARWU use different methods and can order universities differently.
Source: QS TopUniversities (QS World University Rankings 2027, 18 June 2026).
Key Strengths & Programs
Manchester is known for:
- Physics and materials science — including the isolation of graphene in 2004
- Engineering and computer science
- Business — Alliance Manchester Business School
- Medicine and health sciences
- Humanities and social sciences
See the official website for the full list.
Explore Related Guides & Rankings
Admission Requirements
Entry rules depend on the course. Confirm all details on Manchester’s official pages.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate entry | A-levels from A*AA to ABB depending on the course, or IB 34 to 38 points. Subject-specific requirements apply. |
| Foundation route | Students with an overall grade of 65% or higher can be considered for INTO Manchester foundation programmes |
| English | Confirmation that your degree was taught in English is not accepted as proof. You need a recognised English test result. |
| Master’s | One-year master’s programmes for academically strong applicants, including those without work experience |
| Documents | Transcripts, identification, English evidence and course-specific documents |
Official source: Manchester — Pakistan entry requirements.
University of Manchester Acceptance Rate
Manchester does not publish one acceptance rate that applies to every course. Selectivity varies widely by subject, and medicine, business and some sciences are more competitive. The old “about 56%” figure on this page was not tied to a source and has been removed.
Practical Application Checklist
- Choose your course and read its entry and English requirements
- Check whether you qualify directly or need a foundation year
- Book an English test (IELTS or similar)
- Prepare transcripts, identification and course documents
- Apply and accept your offer, then pay the deposit if one is required
- Apply for a UK Student visa when you receive your CAS
- Plan funding for tuition and Manchester living costs
- Verify every date, fee and requirement on Manchester’s official website before submitting
Tuition & Costs
Fees depend on the course, so check your course page. Official 2026/27 examples for international students:
- Undergraduate (Alliance Manchester Business School): £33,100 per year, and later years can rise by up to 7% annually
- Master’s (MA International Relations): £29,400 per year
- Placement or study abroad year: undergraduates pay 20% of the standard international fee for that year
- Deposit: self-funded international master’s applicants pay a £2,500 deposit towards tuition before a CAS is issued
- Alumni discount: Manchester graduates can get 10% off taught master’s tuition
Fees for 2027 entry may differ. The old “£26,000 to £35,000” range is replaced by the course-level figures above, so confirm on the official course page before budgeting.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
- Global Futures Scholarships (September 2027 entry): merit-based tuition discounts for self-funded international students. Undergraduate awards go up to £36,000 (£12,000 a year over three years) for applicants from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
- Global Futures for master’s: £12,000 for South Asian applicants, including from Pakistan
- British Council Women in STEM: five fully funded scholarships for women from South Asia on selected master’s programmes
- HEC Pakistan: the Higher Education Commission offers scholarships for postgraduate study abroad
- Other aid: compare options in our fully funded scholarships for 2027 guide
You must hold an offer first, and each scholarship has its own rules and deadlines.
Source: Manchester — Pakistan scholarships.
University of Manchester for Pakistani Students
Pakistani applicants follow the standard UK international process:
- Entry: check A-level, IB or foundation options for your course
- English: prepare an accepted test. Our IELTS preparation guides can help.
- Scholarships: Pakistan is on the Global Futures eligible list, so apply early
- Visa: a UK Student visa is required and its rules change
- Budget: plan for tuition plus Manchester rent and living costs
Campus & Student Life
- The main campus is south of Manchester city centre, around Oxford Road
- Manchester is a large student city with a strong music, sport and cultural scene
- Halls of residence and private rentals are both common
- Students’ Union societies cover culture, sport and academic interests
Research & Career Opportunities
- Manchester is a large UK university with strong links to employers in the north of England and beyond
- Greater Manchester is a major UK hub for business, media, health and technology
- Manchester does not guarantee employment, salary or visa outcomes
Notable Alumni
- Ernest Rutherford worked at Manchester as a physics professor, and his experiments in 1917 produced the first artificially induced nuclear reaction
- Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov isolated graphene at Manchester in 2004 and received the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics
- Alan Turing worked at Manchester in the late 1940s and early 1950s on early computing after the Manchester Baby stored-program computer was built
- Christabel Pankhurst, the suffragette, graduated in law from Manchester
Contact & Location
The University of Manchester
Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
Official website: manchester.ac.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
The University of Manchester is joint 40th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, published in June 2026, down from 35th in 2026.
Ernest Rutherford’s experiments at Manchester in 1917 produced the first artificially induced nuclear reaction, which is often described as splitting the atom. Later experiments elsewhere also split the nucleus, so the wording varies.
Manchester is best known for physics, engineering, materials science (including graphene) and business.
It depends on the course. For 2026/27, an Alliance Manchester Business School undergraduate programme costs £33,100 a year and an MA in International Relations costs £29,400. Check your course page.
Yes. Global Futures Scholarships are open to applicants from Pakistan, and there are British Council Women in STEM awards for selected master’s programmes. Eligibility rules apply.
Direct undergraduate entry typically needs A-levels between A*AA and ABB or IB 34 to 38 points. Students with 65% or higher can be considered for the foundation route.
No. You need a recognised English test result.
Manchester does not publish one overall rate. Selectivity varies by course.
Yes. Manchester is a member of the Russell Group of UK research universities.
Check Manchester’s official course and country pages. Fees, deadlines and rules can change.
Compare University of Manchester With Other Top Universities
Disclaimer: This page is based on the QS World University Rankings 2027, University of Manchester’s official pages, and other publicly available sources, last checked in October 2026. Fees, rankings, deadlines, and admission rules change, and no admission, funding, visa, or employment outcome is guaranteed. Always verify current details directly with the university before applying.