Student life in Manchester

Manchester for film, TV and Media students

Manchester has always been home to a huge array of film, TV and media organisations. Now, thanks to Media City UK a sprawling 200-acre hive of media-activity across the border in Salford, Manchester is the beating heart of the UK’s media community. Media City is an innovation hub that hosts our very own Futureworks Studios alongside household names such as the BBC, ITV, Coronation Street, The Lowry, and the Imperial War Museum. Media City is further dressed in fashionable theatres, cinemas, galleries, eating and drinking establishments, shops, workspaces and eventful public places. It’s as diverse and eclectic as the people it serves, the events it promotes and the businesses it houses and Media City’s dock10 studios is the UK’s leading television facility producing well-known TV shows that are distributed to worldwide audiences. Media City has fast become the darling of the UK’s Film, TV and media establishment and is a must-visit location for students seeking to soak up the vibrant atmosphere of UK film, TV and media culture.

Manchester for Sound & Music students

Manchester also has a rich musical heritage; it’s the birthplace of many bands, musicians, singers, songwriters, producers, and music genres. With epic locations such as the Epping Walk Bridge, Salford Lads Club and Sifters Records, respective destinations for fans of Joy Division, the Smiths and Oasis, Manchester has music running through its streets. From our local, The Kings Arms, to the Eagle Inn, the favoured live venue of 1043 Recordings our in-house record label, and from the Band on the Wall to the Oast House, Matt & Phreds, the O2 Ritz, the Yard and many more, live music venues are booming across our city, blasting out a range of genres and options for everyone to enjoy. With ‘Madchester’ rising slowly from its slumber following the recent reformation of Oasis, our city’s sounds are once again the UK’s hottest topic. It’s a great time to be a student in our city, especially those studying sound & music, as our melodious Manchester is on the brink of a new audio renaissance.

Manchester for Art and Design students

Manchester is also home to an exhausting and eclectic array of artists, agencies, creative communities, designers, galleries, game studios, museums, video game arcades, and VFX houses. It’s a veritable A to Z of the arts, a close but open, creative community with which we are proud to have links through our industry connections. The innovative art communities, pictureful destinations and creative industries that thrive amidst our city are but a brushstroke on a vast canvas of culture for students to explore whilst studying with us at Futureworks. For our Art & Design students, whether you’re seeking more contemporary destinations such as the Castlefield, Smolensky or Home galleries or prefer to wander the rich tapestry of the Northern Quarter, go retro in the Bury Arcade Club, drink and game in NQ64, or mooch crafted curiosities in Affleck’s Palace, there are eyefuls of inspiration everywhere you look.

Manchester for every student

We love our city and our students, so we’ve created a guide to student life in Manchester. It covers all the above and more, from student discounts (everyone loves a bargain) to the events that help shape our city’s diverse culture. We offer our nightlife recommendations for the venues that keep Manchester buzzing after dark, provide who scores the best in sports venues, and cinemas, theatres, comedy stores, places to game, arcades, shopping destinations, and much more.

Check out the Futureworks Guide to Student Life on our website and go and explore our magnificent Manchester!