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Arrival

On these pages you'll find everything you need to know about moving to Manchester. You can make your move much easier by booking onto our free Orientation Programme, which runs from 13 to 16 September.

The Programme will give you practical advice and introduce you to the University and the city of Manchester. You will get the opportunity to meet other new students as well as students who have been here for some time.

You can come to as many or as few of the sessions as you like and we do not ask you to sign up in advance for any events, but you will need to book a place in advance.

Before you travel

The International Office arranges a range of pre-departure briefings in many cities around the world. The briefings cover topics ranging from the visa application process and academic life to accommodation and payment of fees, all aimed at helping our incoming international students.

If we are arranging a pre-departure briefings in your area and you hold an offer from us, we will contact you to invite you to the briefing.

British Council pre-departure briefings

If we are not organising a briefing in your country or city, or you are not able to attend, you might wish to book on one of the in-country briefings organised by the British Council or other external provider. These will not tell you specifically about Manchester but they will give you good general advice about coming to the UK and about living here.

At the moment we are aware of British Council events in:

India

  • Delhi: 5 and 26 July (students can choose one date)
  • Mumbai: 6 July
  • Hyderabad: 8 July
  • Chennai: 10 July
  • Bangalore: 12 July
  • Pune: 15 July
  • Ahmedabad: 22 July
  • Kolkata: 31 July

China (all events running from 2pm to 5pm)

  • Shanghai: 19 May and 22 June
  • Jinan: 1 June
  • Beijing: 2 and 30 June 
  • Wuhan: 15 June
  • Nanjing: 16 June
  • Chengdu: 22 June
  • Shenzhen: 23 June
  • Guangzhou: 30 June

Japan

  • Tokyo: 2 June

Brunei

  • 10 August, 9am to 12pm

Malaysia

  • Kuala Lumpur: 29 June
  • Kuching and Kota Kinabalu: 13 July
  • Penang: 20 July
  • Kuala Lumpur: 24 August

Arrival Guide

Make sure you have a look through our Arrival Guide, which will give you lots of advice on planning your move to Manchester.

Accommodation

If you are planning to stay in University accommodation, you will need to apply before 31 August to be sure of getting a place. If you intend to find private accommodation, it is a good idea to find out what is available and how much it will cost before you travel.

Banking

Having a UK bank account is essential for many of the services you may need during your stay in Manchester. There are some things you can do to prepare before you leave your home country.

Connect with other students

You can find out about Orientation events, meet other new students and get advice from the Orientation Team by joining our Facebook and Sina Weibo pages, following Orientation on Twitter, or by emailing us at orientation@manchester.ac.uk.

Immigration and visas

You must make sure that you have fulfilled the necessary immigration requirements before leaving your country.

Recommended vaccinations

We strongly advise students to get vaccinated against meningitis C and MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) before arriving in Manchester.

Registration

Completing the online registration process confirms you as a member of the University and entitles you to attend lectures and use University facilities. You can complete your registration online from 1 September from any computer with an internet connection.

Transport

Manchester has excellent direct transport links with most countries and if you arrive at Manchester Airport you can take advantage of our free airport collection service.

Upon arrival

Health care

International students who are here for longer than six months are entitled to free heath care under the National Health Service. Find out more about registering with a doctor, emergency care and other health services.

Orientation

Our four-day Orientation Programme will help you settle into your new home quickly and is a great way to meet new friends before the start of term.

Registering with the police

Visitors to the UK from certain countries will be required to register with the local police. The University can help make this process quick and easy.

Staying safe

Manchester is a safe and welcoming city. But like anywhere else, there are some simple things you can do to make sure you and your belongings stay safe and secure while you are living here.

Preparation checklist

As well as the tasks that you will definitely need to get done before you get to Manchester – sorting out your accommodation, planning your travel, getting a visa – there are other things that you might not think of that will prove to be really useful when you are here. Have a look at our checklist, which could form the basis of a 'to do list' of your own.