Most students in Manchester live in a university hall in their first year, then move into a shared house in Fallowfield, Withington or Rusholme. University of Manchester halls start at about £122 a week and private rooms and flats in the city centre cost more. Rent in a shared house is usually lower but bills are often extra. This guide covers the main options, what they cost, where to live and when to apply.
Prices on this page come from the universities’ own accommodation pages and one student-money guide, and each figure says where it is from. Rents change every year, so check the current price before you apply.
Student accommodation options in Manchester
University of Manchester halls
The university lists 19 halls on its accommodation search page, grouped by area. The “from” prices below are the ones shown on that page. It does not state an academic year for them, so treat them as a guide to the range, not a quote.
| Area | Distance from campus | Halls (from price per week) |
|---|---|---|
| City campus | 0.3 to 0.7 miles | Whitworth Park (£122), Weston Hall (£198), Denmark Road (£234), Square Gardens (£226), Horniman House (£248) |
| Victoria Park | 0.6 to 1.3 miles | Burkhardt House (£180), Rusholme Place (£199), Wilmslow Park (£215), Daisy Bank Hall (£225), Manchester Gardens (£255), plus catered Hulme Hall (£201), Dalton-Ellis Hall (£194) and Saint Anselm Hall (£196) |
| Fallowfield | 1.5 to 1.9 miles | Sheavyn House (£180), Richmond Park (£180), Uttley House (£207), Unsworth Park (£227), plus catered Ashburne Hall (£178) |
Two things to know. Catered halls (Ashburne, Dalton-Ellis, Hulme and Saint Anselm) include meals, so their “from” price is not directly comparable with self-catered halls. And Uttley House is allocation-only, so you cannot apply for it directly.
The lowest 2026/27 price I could confirm is at the university’s Campus Living Village in Salford: £142 a week, or £5,964 for a 42-week contract, for a single room with a shared bathroom. The university’s page puts it at about a 32-minute bus journey from campus, so factor in the commute.
Manchester Metropolitan University accommodation
Manchester Met says its accommodation guarantee covers new full-time undergraduates who are looking for a place in Manchester. Ropemaker Court is for first-year and returning Manchester Met students and is mainly home to 18 to 22 year olds. One-semester stays are considered if rooms are available. The university’s page does not list prices, so use its booking pages for current rents.
Private purpose-built student accommodation
Private providers such as Unite Students, iQ and Vita Student run buildings in and around the city centre. Rooms are usually en suite or studios, rent often includes bills and Wi-Fi and contract lengths vary by building. They suit second-years who want to live with friends without the hassle of a house, and postgraduates who want privacy. Compare what is included before you compare the weekly price. Our guide to university halls versus private student housing explains the differences.
Shared student houses
Shared houses are the usual choice from second year. Save the Student lists typical weekly rents of £70 to £115 in Fallowfield, £85 to £125 in Withington and £105 to £145 in the city centre. The page does not date those figures, so use them as a rough guide. Bills, internet and agency fees can add to the cost. The same guide says groups often start looking in January and the best houses go quickly.
Where to live in Manchester as a student
- Fallowfield: the classic student area in south Manchester, with the largest supply of shared houses and some university halls. Buses run along Wilmslow Road.
- Withington: another popular south Manchester area, with typical house rents a little above Fallowfield’s in Save the Student’s figures.
- Rusholme and Victoria Park: close to the University of Manchester, with several university halls within about 0.6 to 1.3 miles of campus.
- City centre and Oxford Road corridor: the most convenient for both universities, and where most newer private blocks are. It costs more.
- Salford: an option for students at the University of Salford or anyone prepared to trade a longer commute for a lower price. See our Salford student accommodation guide.
Wilmslow Road and Oxford Road are the main bus routes between south Manchester, the universities and the city centre, so living on or near them cuts your commute.
How and when to apply
- University of Manchester: you choose five preferred halls and the university considers them in the order you list them. Allocation does not depend on when you apply, as long as you apply before midnight on the day before A-level results are released in England and Wales. After that, applications are processed by date. For 2026/27 entry, the guarantee deadline was 31 August 2026 for most students and 31 July 2026 for visiting and exchange students. Once you get an offer you have around four days to accept it and pay a £400 advance licence fee. Check the official application page for the dates that apply to you.
- Manchester Metropolitan University: new full-time undergraduates seeking accommodation in Manchester are covered by the guarantee. The university warns that availability in some properties becomes limited as the academic year approaches, so apply early.
- Private halls and houses: book early for the best rooms. For houses, expect to commit months ahead, so read the contract carefully. Our student accommodation checklist covers what to check before you sign.
What to check before you book
- Contract length. A shorter or longer contract changes the real cost of a weekly rent, for example a 42-week contract compared with a full-year one.
- What the rent includes: bills, internet, contents insurance, laundry and cleaning.
- Distance and bus route to your own campus, not just to the city centre.
- Deposit, guarantor requirements and what happens if you withdraw or your plans change.
- Safety basics: secure entry, working smoke alarms and a responsive landlord or manager. See our student accommodation safety guide.
For help planning the rest of your costs, read our student budgeting tips. Comparing another city? See our guides to Leeds, Sheffield and Birmingham, or browse all UK city guides.
Frequently asked questions
How much does student accommodation in Manchester cost?
University of Manchester halls are listed from £122 to £255 a week, depending on the hall. Typical shared-house rents are roughly £70 to £145 a week depending on area, with bills often extra. Private city-centre rooms vary by building, so check each provider’s current prices.
Where do most students live in Manchester?
Most live in south Manchester, in Fallowfield, Withington and Rusholme. First-years often start in a hall, and more students now choose the city centre where new private blocks have opened.
Does the University of Manchester guarantee accommodation?
It guarantees an offer of a room in a hall of residence to students who meet its conditions. For 2026/27 entry, the guarantee deadline was 31 August 2026 for most students. Check the university’s apply page for the current conditions and dates.
When should I start looking for a student house in Manchester?
Many groups start in January for the following September, because the best houses go early. Do not sign anything until the whole group is confirmed and you have read the contract.
