University of Manchester
Ranked 35th in QS World 2026 and the largest Russell Group university by size: ~44,000 students, 14,500 international from 170+ countries. Remarkable scientific heritage: 25 affiliated Nobel laureates, Alan Turing taught here (Theory of Computing), Ernest Rutherford split the atom in 1917, and graphene was discovered here in 2004 (Geim and Novoselov, Nobel 2010). Acceptance ~51-59% (moderately competitive), tuition £20-39k/year. Alliance Manchester Business School is triple-accredited.
About the University of Manchester
The University of Manchester traces its origins to 1824 (the Mechanics Institute, founded to educate the working class), giving it 202 years of heritage, but its current form was established on 1 October 2004, through the merger of the Victoria University of Manchester (founded 1851 as Owens College) and UMIST (University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology). This created the largest single-site university in the UK: ~44,000 students in total, 14,500 international students from 170+ countries, in the North West of England (Manchester, ~550,000 inhabitants). It is a founding member of the Russell Group.
What makes Manchester unique: an extraordinary scientific heritage with 25 affiliated Nobel laureates, one of the highest in the UK. Ernest Rutherford split the atom in 1917 here, marking the birth of modern nuclear physics. Alan Turing was a Reader and later Deputy Director at the Computing Machine Laboratory after WW2, developing foundational theories of AI and computing. The Manchester Baby (1948) was the world's first stored-program computer (Williams and Kilburn), the birth of modern computing. Graphene was discovered here in 2004 by Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, winning the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010 (the fastest discovery-to-Nobel in history!). Today the National Graphene Institute here continues research into revolutionary 2D materials.
3 main faculties: the Faculty of Science and Engineering (Engineering, Computer Science, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, world-leading for Materials thanks to its graphene legacy); the Faculty of Humanities (including Alliance Manchester Business School, triple-accredited by AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA, one of the most prestigious business schools in the UK, plus Law, English, History, Politics); and the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health (MBChB Medicine, BDS Dentistry, MPharm Pharmacy). 1,000+ programmes in total. An iconic campus centred on Oxford Road, within walking distance of Manchester city centre.
For Romanian students, Manchester is an excellent option for those who want: (1) a Russell Group university with accessible acceptance (~51-59% overall, more accessible than Edinburgh/Imperial/LSE/KCL); (2) impressive scientific heritage (Turing, Rutherford, graphene); (3) a lower cost of living than London (~£12-15k/year vs £18-20k). The typical profile: a real (science) BAC track (Engineering, CS, Materials Science, Physics, leveraging the graphene heritage), a real track with Biology-Chemistry (Medicine MBChB), or a humanities track (Alliance Manchester Business School, Law, Humanities). City vibe: Manchester is a UK cultural hub (a legendary music scene: Oasis, The Smiths, Joy Division), big on sport (Manchester United and Manchester City), and a growing economic centre for tech and media. Notable alumni: Alan Turing, Ernest Rutherford, Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, Brian Cox (physicist and science populariser), Anthony Burgess (author of "A Clockwork Orange"), Peter Mandelson (UK politician).
How to apply to Manchester
UCAS application (Manchester code: M20)
You apply through UCAS, with a maximum of 5 choices in total. Manchester uses the institution code M20. UCAS application fee: £28.95 for 5 choices (£28.50 for 2026 entry). Strategy for Romanians: Manchester is a solid target or safety for Russell Group applicants (more accessible than Edinburgh/Imperial/KCL/LSE, but more prestigious than Glasgow/QMUL). A suitable combination: 2 reach + Manchester as a target + 2 safety.
Deadline 14 January 2026 (Medicine + Dentistry 15 Oct)
Standard UCAS deadline for Manchester: 14 January 2026, 18:00 UK time. Exception for Medicine MBChB (codes A106 + A101 Graduate Entry) and Dentistry BDS: 15 October (same as Oxbridge). UCAS Apply opens in September 2026 for 2027 entry. Manchester receives ~80,000 applications/year across all courses, assessed as a gathered field through to March.
Required tests: only UCAT (Medicine, Dentistry)
Manchester does NOT require TMUA, TARA, ESAT or LNAT for ANY course! It is among the most admissions-test-friendly universities in the world's top 50. The only requirement: UCAT (which replaced BMAT from 2024) for Medicine MBChB (A106) and Dentistry BDS, with sittings July to September 2026. Manchester UCAT note: an SJT in Band 3 or 4 means an auto-reject (UCAT rules are changing from 2026). The rest of Manchester's courses (Engineering, CS, Alliance Business School, Humanities, Law) need only UCAS plus the BAC plus a Personal Statement, with no test.
Personal Statement (NEW 2026 FORMAT)
The UCAS Personal Statement has been REFORMED for 2026 entry, structured into 3 sections with specific questions. Total ~4,000 characters. For Manchester Engineering: personal projects, demonstrating interest in Materials Science (the graphene legacy!) or Robotics. For CS: the Turing heritage, hackathons, GitHub projects. For Medicine: clinical experience, volunteering. For Alliance MBS: business books you have read, interest in finance/strategy. Predicted grades come from your form teacher.
Interview (Medicine, Dentistry MMI)
Manchester DOES interview for Medicine MBChB and Dentistry BDS. Format: MMI (Multiple Mini Interviews), ~7-10 stations of 5-8 minutes each, hybrid online (MS Teams) or in person at the Stopford Building. The Manchester MMI assesses empathy, ethics, clinical reasoning, motivation and communication. The rest of Manchester's courses do NOT interview (Engineering, CS, Alliance Business School, Humanities, Law): the decision is based on UCAS plus predicted grades plus the Personal Statement plus UCAT (for clinical courses).
Conditional offer + Baccalaureate
Conditional offers are based on predicted grades. For the Romanian BAC: a BAC average of 9+ and 9+ on the relevant subjects (more accessible than Edinburgh/Imperial!). Equivalent to AAB-AAA at A-Levels. By faculty: Medicine MBChB: AAA required plus Chemistry 9.5+ and Biology 9.5+; Engineering/CS: 9+ average plus Maths 9.5+ and Physics 9+; Alliance Manchester Business School: 9+ average plus Maths 9+; Humanities/Law: 9+ average. Plus IELTS 6.0-7.0 depending on the course. After the BAC in June-July, you confirm you have met the conditions. The final answer comes in August, and you start in September.
Costs for Romanians
Intl tuition 2026-27 (per year, depends on course)
Total cost 3 years BSc Honours (a Romanian)
Merit-based
Manchester does NOT offer need-blind/need-aware admissions like the US Ivies. For international undergraduates, there is NO need-based financial aid. Scholarships are merit-based. Manchester has £4.5 million allocated for scholarships in 2026 (intl UG plus PG combined), distributed on academic merit.
330+ awards
Manchester International Excellence Scholarship: a tuition reduction for intl UG students with an outstanding academic profile. Alliance MBS Undergraduate Scholarship: for business UG students. GREAT Scholarships: up to £10,000. Manchester Bicentennial Scholarship. For Romanians: apply separately from UCAS, with deadlines in April-May. 330+ awards a year, competitive.
Overseas fees
Since 2021, EU citizens (Romanians) pay full Overseas fees. You no longer have access to UK Student Loans. Exception: pre-Brexit settled status or Irish citizenship. Manchester CAS visa requirement: proof of funds for tuition plus £1,023/month living costs (cheaper than London, which is £1,334/month).
Want to apply to Manchester?
Manchester offers the ideal combination: QS #35 worldwide + accessible acceptance (~51-59%) + a cost of living £5-7k/year lower than London + 25 Nobel laureates + the Turing/graphene/Rutherford heritage. It does NOT require TMUA/TARA/ESAT/LNAT, only UCAT for Medicine. Our mentors from Manchester guide you step by step. The mentoring session is 100% free.
Talk to a mentorFrequently asked questions
Manchester vs other Russell Group universities, what should a Romanian choose?
Manchester: QS #35, acceptance ~51-59% (moderate), 25 Nobel laureates, graphene/Turing heritage, a lower cost of living than London. vs Imperial #2: Imperial is more prestigious for STEM but acceptance is ~14% (very selective) and fees are higher. vs Edinburgh #34: Edinburgh is more selective (~11-37%) and has a 4-year degree, while Manchester is more accessible with a standard 3 years. vs UCL #9: UCL is more prestigious and has a London location, but tuition is higher and the cost of living is higher. vs Glasgow #79: Manchester is better ranked but less accessible than Glasgow (~60-70%). For Romanians: Manchester is the sweet spot between prestige plus accessibility for those who want a strong Russell Group university without the extreme competition of Imperial/LSE.
How many Romanians study at Manchester?
Manchester has 14,500+ international students from 170+ countries, making it the most diverse Russell Group university by absolute number of international students. The Romanian community is well represented, especially in Engineering, CS, Medicine MBChB and Alliance Manchester Business School. Estimate: ~250-400 Romanian UG plus PG students at any one time (the largest Romanian community in the Russell Group outside London!). The Manchester University Romanian Society is active, organising social events, networking events and a Romanian Christmas Ball.
Why is Manchester special for Engineering, CS and Materials Science?
Materials Science: the National Graphene Institute is here, continuing research into the revolutionary 2D materials discovered in 2004 (Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, Nobel 2010). Computer Science: the Alan Turing heritage (he taught here after WW2 at the Computing Machine Laboratory). The Manchester Baby (1948): the world's first stored-program computer, developed here. Engineering: 200+ years of industrial heritage (Rutherford split the atom here in 1917). For Romanians: if you want to specialise in Materials Science (graphene), a history-rich CS programme, or traditional Engineering with a global reputation, Manchester is among the top 3 UK options.
Can I get into Manchester with a Romanian Baccalaureate?
Yes, the Romanian BAC is accepted at Manchester. Typical threshold: a BAC average of 9+ and 9+ on the relevant subjects (more accessible than Edinburgh/Imperial!). Equivalent to AAB-AAA at A-Levels. By faculty: Medicine MBChB: AAA required plus Chemistry 9.5+ and Biology 9.5+; Engineering/CS: 9+ average plus Maths 9.5+ and Physics 9+; Alliance Manchester Business School: 9+ average plus Maths 9+; Standard Humanities: 9+ average. Predicted grades come from your form teacher in the UCAS form.
What IELTS do I need for Manchester?
The minimum IELTS for Manchester varies by course: Standard (most courses): 6.0-6.5 overall, no component below 5.5. Higher level: 7.0 overall, no component below 6.5 (Medicine MBChB, Dentistry, Law LLB, English Literature). TOEFL alternative: 90+ overall. For Romanians: aim for IELTS 6.5+ as a minimum, and 7.0+ for competitive courses. Manchester is more relaxed on IELTS requirements than Imperial/LSE. Valid for 2 years. An international school taught in English can be an IELTS waiver.
How much does 3 years at Manchester cost in total for a Romanian?
3 years BA Humanities/Arts: ~£105,000-£120,000 total all-in. 3 years LLB Law: ~£115,000-£130,000. 3 years BSc CS/Engineering: ~£125,000-£150,000. 4 years MEng Engineering: ~£150,000-£180,000. 3 years BSc Alliance MBS: ~£125,000-£145,000. 5 years MBChB Medicine: ~£240,000-£290,000. Annual breakdown: tuition £20-39k + accommodation Manchester £7-10k + living £4-6k = ~£31-55k/year. Compared with London: 3 years of Manchester CS ~£135k vs 3 years of London (UCL/Imperial) CS ~£155-200k. A saving of ~£15-65k by choosing Manchester over London!
Can I stay in the UK after graduating from Manchester?
Yes, through the Graduate Route visa. After graduating from any Manchester degree (BSc, BA, MEng, MBChB, LLB), you are automatically entitled to 2 years on the Graduate Route (3 years for a PhD) to look for a job in the UK without a sponsor. Visa cost: £822 + £1,035/year IHS. Manchester graduate salaries: Engineering/CS: £30-50k starting (Manchester has a growing tech hub, plus you can apply in London). Medicine MBChB: £32-37k NHS, rising to £55-80k. Alliance MBS: £30-50k starting (consulting, banking, big 4). For Romanians: Manchester has a solid reputation in UK industry plus a global alumni network. An active city vibe for young professionals.
What are the best Manchester courses for global careers?
For Engineering/Materials careers: BEng/MEng Materials Science and Engineering (world-leading thanks to the National Graphene Institute), MEng Mechanical, Aerospace, Civil, Electrical Engineering. Top recruiters: Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Siemens, Jaguar Land Rover. For CS/Tech careers: BSc Computer Science (the Turing heritage!), BSc AI, BSc Software Engineering. Recruiters: Amazon, Microsoft, Google, the Manchester tech hub. For Medicine careers: MBChB Medicine, 5 years, with training at Manchester Royal Infirmary plus other NHS hospitals. For Business/Finance careers: BSc Management, Accounting, Finance at Alliance Manchester Business School (triple-accredited by AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA, the top UK Business School outside London). For Law careers: LLB Law (Manchester does NOT require LNAT, an advantage!).
Our mentors for the UK
They studied at Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, LSE and other UK universities. Now they guide you.
