Manchester University & metropolitan - guide and information

The home of perhaps the worlds greatest football club and the world's most tempestuous rock and roll band, Manchester is an exciting and rewarding place to live and of course Manchester University is just slap bang in the middle of it all. Previously renowned as a grim relic of Britain's industrial heritage, the city has undergone significant changes in the past two decades. The rain still falls by the bucket load but visitors to Manchester will be presently surprised by what they find.

In 1996 the city's main shopping area was devastated by the largest ever IRA bomb blast on the British mainland. A miracle that nobody was killed, the attack combined with a successful bid for the 2002 commonwealth games provided the opportunity for a dramatic face lift. The city centre now blends glass fronted office blocks and glittering leisure developments with the beautifully styled Victorian buildings of the past.

The scene

Unlike the "Madchester" days of the early 1990s, clubs such as the infamous Hacienda, Home and Sankey's Soap no longer figure in the weekend line-up.

Gunned up gangsters robbed the city of its big name dance nights after the safety of clubbers was threatened. After a brief lull, the city is alive and above all safer again with a scene built on smaller more experimental club nights and a saturation of trendy bars. You'll still find your fit and funky house nights but down the road theirs likely to be a samba, drum and base, funk fusion, dub, electric soul or Latino alternative. If Indie is more your scene, the city that brought you Oasis and the Stone Roses will oblige with renditions at any one of a number of mosh pits and gig houses.

The gay capital of the north, Manchester has an enormous gay scene centred on its "Gay Village"; over 30 bars and clubs based around the universally popular Canal Street area. The highlight of the year is the Mardi Gras where village regulars dress up in all sorts of outrageous costumes for a carnival through the city's streets to raise money for charity.

For those with more than a passing interest in the arts, Manchester is a hive of activity. The Royal exchange and Contact theatres, the Cornerhouse cinema, and newly completed Lowry Arts Centre are the jewels in the crown of a thriving cultural melee. The city centre has a vibrant Chinese quarter complete with an authentic decorative gate and many great restaurants whilst curry lovers will feel right at home on Rusholme's "curry mile" at the South end of the city's main student area.

Living

So where do you want to live. There's loads of opportunities from Fallowfield (a particular favourite) to Moss Side (!) We are waiting for a student to write more...so don't hold your breath but do check back.

Pubs & Clubs

There's 'thousands' to choose from but once again the scuffy student who promised us content has passed out in a gutter somewhere. So if you can finish this off and we feature your write up, we send you FREE beer! So click here to send your review!

Extra Information

How do you get there? Well as wioth all big cities your imagination should sort this on out. Trains, Planes (if you're loaded), buses and of course the automobile! Don't try biking, unless you live in Moss Side. Who's come form there? Mick Hucknell, Caroline Aherne, Les Dawson, Matthew Kelly (?) and Emmeline Pankhurst (Suffragette leader).

Summary

Choose Manchester for :

Cool night life, cheap rent, Boddington's bitter.

Don't choose Manchester for :

A suntan, superstar DJs, a good night's sleep!

Contacts

We suggest you start with the University, then the accommodation office and then the pub. Of course the latter makes for more interesting conversations with the Uni and the Accommodation office!

Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PL

tel: 0161 275 2077
website: www.man.ac.uk
email: ug.prospectus@man.ac.uk