The Ultimate Guide to Student Life in Manchester

Student Discounts

As a Futureworks student, you may be entitled to discounts on everything from dining out to NHS prescriptions. Make sure you’re not paying more than you need to by checking out the links below:

16-25 Rail Card There’s every reason to be happy if you’re aged 16 to 25, because with this Railcard you’ll enjoy 1/3 off rail fares when you go by train. You can also apply for one if you’re a mature student in full time study, as long as you’re eligible.

Bus & Tram Travel Card Students can save up to 40%* on unlimited bus and tram travel
Student Bus Pass students travel for less with our wide range of discounted student bus tickets.
Totum We all love money off the stuff we buy and that’s where TOTUM, powered by NUS extra, helps by giving you access to loads of great student discounts and offers on a huge variety of online and in-store national brands.
Unidays Free discounts for sixth form, college and university students.
Student Beans Unlocking a world of student discounts from thousands of stores online and in-store

Save the Student Save the Student provides free, impartial advice to students on how to make their money go further
NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS) – link to NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS) – NHS (www.nhs.uk) If you have a low income, you may be able to get help with NHS costs this scheme which covers: prescription, dental and eyecare costs.

Events

Manchester Pride One of the UK’s leading LGBTQ+ charities. They campaign for LGBTQ+ equality, celebrate LGBTQ+ life and create opportunities that engage people in Manchester.
Parklife One of the largest metropolitan music festivals in the UK and takes place in Heaton Park, Manchester. The festival has a variety of music genres including hip hop, grime, rock club and house.

Manchester International Festival The Manchester international festival is a biennial international arts festival that includes skill development workshops and creating activities.
Indie Flicks Monthly international film festival. Indie flicks are always looking for passionate people who want to be part of a film fuelled social environment, expand their creative knowledge and most importantly who love film!
Sounds of the City In the heart of Manchester city centre, sounds of the city will be taking place over Castlefield Bowl for a series of concerts with some big headline artists.
Manchester Film Festival An independent film festival that champions cinema from around the globe.
Play Expo Manchester The UK’s favourite arcade, indie and retro game show comes to Manchester. Full of everything you love about gaming & free to play!

Format The ultimate gaming social. Bringing together the best aspects of gaming into one place

Cultural

Caribbean and African Health Network
CAHN is a Black-led organisation set up to address the wider social determinants to eradicate health disparities for Caribbean & African people in the United Kingdom. Working with the Black community and cross-sector organisations to build community resilience, relationships, and a social movement to improve health outcomes for Black people.

Manchester Chinese Centre
The Manchester Chinese Centre is a non-profit charity to promote the understanding and awareness of the Chinese culture in the UK. They provide various services of support as well as Chinese language courses, interpreting services, workshops and actives / events.
Pakistani Resource Centre
The Trafford BME Mental Health Service was set up in April 1995 to work with South Asian individual’s (aged 18 years and above) experiencing mental ill-health, their carers, families and communities who reside within the borough of Trafford. The team can converse in Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi and English.
Wan Yin Society
Wai Yin Society has been supporting, empowering and working in partnership with Chinese individuals and families since 1988, they were founded by a group of community-minded Chinese women. The Society aims to challenge all forms of discrimination and social exclusion through the provision of diverse and reactive services, delivered by a team of qualified social workers, nurses and other professionals.

Kwan Wai Project
The Wai Yin Chinese / Vietnamese Mental Health Project was set up in 1999 as one of the many projects at Wai Yin as a result of needs identified during research funded by the National Lottery.

Buildings, Museums & Art Galleries

Cinemas & Theatres

Comedy, Games & Arcades

Sports

Nightlife

There are certainly no shortages on places to go in Manchester. The city is jam packed with pubs and clubs; we have put together some top places that our students love to go. Just remember to be safe and drink responsibly.

Concerts & Gigs

Northern Quarter

Deansgate

Printworks

Oxford Road

Other places around Manchester

LGBTQ+ Nightlife

Canal Street is a famous area of fun and exciting gay bars, located just south of China town. The village is both party central and a living piece of social history – proof that Manchester is one of the world’s leading gay-friendly cities.

Gay culture has flourished into a village-like community with a combination of bars, clubs and restaurants and green spaces set alongside a stretch of the Rochdale canal. The village welcomes all members of LGBT community providing entertainment 7 nights a week.

Health & GP

Why should you register with a GP?
As a student, you should register with a local GP as soon as you can. That way, if you are unwell or need to discuss any mental health concerns, you can access the services quickly and easily whilst you are at university.

How can you find a GP?
You can find a local GP by typing your postcode into the NHS website, this will then tell you about the closest GPs in your area, and how to register. Once you’ve chosen a surgery, you’ll need to fill in a registration form. These are usually available on the surgery’s website, or you can pick one up at the surgery.

Help with healthcare costs:

Students aged 16, 17, or 18 and are in full time education are entitled to free NHS prescriptions, as well as NHS dental treatment.
Students aged 19 or over, may be able to get some help under the NHS Low Income Scheme. To do this, you must complete a HC1 form

Below are some local GP’s close to Futureworks:

Blackfriars Medical Practice
138 Chapel Street, Salford, Manchester, M3 6AF
0161 819 4790

Trinity Medical Centre
The Angel Living Centre, St Phillips Place (off Chapel Street), Salford, Manchester, M3 6FA
0161 983 0190

Mocha Parade Medical Practice
94 Littleton Road, Salford, Manchester, M7 3SE
0161 839 2721

The Docs
55-59 Bloom Street, City Centre, Manchester, M1 3LY
0161 237 9490

Claredon Surgery
Pendelton Gateway, 1 The Broadwalk, Salford, Manchester, M6 5FX
0161 983 0190

New Islington Medical Centre
Ancoats Primary Care Centre, Old Mill Street, Ancoats, Manchester, M4 6EE
0161 272 5660

Walk-in Centres in Manchester:
City Health Centre, 2nd Floor in Boots (Arndale), 32 Market Street, Manchester, M1 5SL

Shops & Shopping Centres