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Making your application

All undergraduate applications must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Please read the following guidelines before making your application:

  • You can apply to UCAS from 1 September for entry the following autumn.
  • The normal closing date for receipt of applications is 15 January following which you can apply through UCAS Extra. The deadline for international applications is 30 June.
  • If you are applying to Oxford or Cambridge, or for programmes leading to a professional qualification in Medicine or Dentistry, then the closing date is 15 October in the year prior to entry.
  • In many cases you can defer entry by one year, especially if you wish to gain relevant work experience or improve your language skills. Please check with the admissions team for the relevant subject before submitting your UCAS form.

Our UCAS code is M20 MANU.

Further information on the application process is available on the UCAS website.

International applicants

International applicants apply via UCAS in the same way as applicants from the UK. You will need to satisfy our general entry requirements, along with a specified level of ability in English language.

Disabled applicants

We are committed to providing equality of opportunity through the best possible level of support to prospective and current disabled students. If you have a disability or medical condition, or you require additional support needs, we encourage you to disclose it in your application form. This information will enable us to get in contact with you to identify what adjustments can be made and what support you will require once you arrive.

Minors (under the age of 18 on 1 September in your year of entry)

If you have not reached the age of 18 at the start of your course, you are legally considered to be a minor (ie not yet adult).

We will carry out a risk assessment to determine what special arrangements, if any, need to be agreed before we can make you an offer. Our Process for Admitting Minors document explains how we guide you through the risk assessment and what information you will need to provide.

Adult returners to education (mature applicants)

The University welcomes applicants who are returning to education after employment or other experiences.

Your application will be considered against the standard entry criteria of the course to which you applied. We recognise, however, that standard selection measures and procedures may not enable you to demonstrate your full potential.

Depending on your course choice and your individual circumstances, our admissions staff may invite you for an interview or to take an additional test. They may also ask you to provide additional information to ensure that we can make an informed decision on your application.

Care leavers

If you have spent any time in local authority care, you are encouraged to disclose this in your UCAS application form. Having this information will enable us to make a more rounded decision on your application.

The University’s Student Guidance Service provides a wide range of support and guidance to every applicant who has experienced local authority care. If your application is successful, we will offer you a Care Leavers Bursary.

The University also has a network for care leavers who are currently studying at The University of Manchester.

Criminal convictions

If you have a relevant criminal conviction that is not spent, you are required to declare this on your application. If you declare a relevant criminal conviction it does not mean that you will be automatically excluded from the application process. We will carry out a risk assessment to find out whether your conviction will permit you to study on your chosen course.

If you are offered a place on a course that involves working with children or vulnerable adults, we will request a Criminal Records Bureau enhanced disclosure before you start the course. UCAS indicate this requirement to you at the point of application.

Mitigating circumstances

Mitigating circumstances may be personal or family illness, other family circumstances, change of teachers during a course, problems with school facilities or an unusual curriculum followed by your school or college. We recommend that information on mitigating circumstances that have affected or are likely to affect your academic performance should be included in your referee's report. We cannot usually take into account information that is supplied after an adverse decision has been made on an application by the admitting academic School. If you encounter mitigating circumstances after you have submitted your application, please inform the admissions staff in the School to which you applied as soon as possible.

Where mitigating circumstances have already been taken into account, for example, by the relevant exam board, we will not be able to make further allowances.

Re-application

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful, you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry. In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved. We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations as a student at the University when we assess your suitability for your chosen course.

If you are applying for a place for the same year of entry through UCAS Extra, you should provide additional evidence of your suitability for the course. If you are applying through clearing, you are required to meet the clearing requirements. In both UCAS Extra and clearing all places will be subject to availability.

Deferred entry

The University welcomes applicants who are planning to defer their entry. Applications for deferred entry are considered equally alongside other applications up to the point of confirmation. Deferred entry is granted on the discretion of admissions staff; some Schools wish to ensure that you use your gap year constructively before they accept your deferral so please contact the admissions staff for your chosen course before you apply. Deferred entry is normally granted for one year only and for two years at the maximum. Please also be aware that some English language test results, such as IELTS or TOEFL, are only valid for two years from the test date.