On the sixth day, God created Manchester- and on the seventh, is the UCAS application, where you have to pick five universities. If you’re like me and have always been set on going to the University of Manchester (or had an Oasis-loving Dad eager to visit you in the city), then the decision to have UOM as one of your five choices is an easy one. However, if you are still struggling with the back and forth of ‘which university is right for me?’, then hopefully this blog will provide some insight into life as student here and what you can expect.

When choosing a university, it is important to consider several factors. Start by evaluating whether the course matches your interests and whether it provides opportunities for studying or working abroad, if this is something you’re interested in. You will also need to think about how far from home you feel comfortable being, as well as exploring the university’s extracurricular activities and sporting opportunities. Lastly, you will need to take into account the city itself. Are you someone who is suited to a bigger city, like Manchester, or would you prefer somewhere slower paced?

With these factors considered, I knew that Manchester was the perfect choice for me; As an English language student, I researched the course units ahead of applying and was pleased to find modules that aligned with my interests. The opportunity to study abroad for a semester, rather than a full year, was ideal for me. Additionally, UOM is not only a top university for English, but also overall, as it continues to place highly in national rankings. I was also eager to attend a Russel group university, due to the leading research and level of teaching.

Open days are essential in getting a glimpse of the university and the campus. They are also the perfect opportunity to see whether the city is somewhere you feel like you could call home. Feeling settled in a new environment is a significant part of the transition in moving away and shapes your experience over the next few years. I knew that I loved Manchester when I first visited on the open day- With it being a big city, there was so much going on and it felt vibrant and full of life. The music culture was also a major attraction, not just because of the Oasis-loving Dad in my ear, but the chance to attend events like Warehouse Project and enjoy the city’s unique music scene.

Once you have these questions answered and decide on applying for UOM, you are probably still curious as to how your life will look like as a student here, and how it compares to your expectations.

Before university, my expectations were probably similar to those of many other students. The expectation that you arrive at your halls with your entire wardrobe, where you’re greeted with a new group of best mates and immediately have the time of your life, all while effortlessly achieving top grades. This expectation was quickly confronted by reality. It takes time to find your people, settle in and get used to a new way of learning- Changing your expectations to a more realistic one will help ease this transition, which is something I wish I kept in mind in the first few weeks!

As a first-year student, your halls of residence will likely be on one of three campuses: The City campus, Victoria park or the Fallowfield campus. It’s important to research which one suits your practical needs, like having an en-suite or not and proximity to the university for example, as well as which suits your lifestyle, as some hold a reputation for being more social and livelier than others.

In my first year, I stayed at Unsworth Park on the Fallowfield campus. The accommodation itself was great, with a social atmosphere and amenities like pool tables and on-campus bars. Being in Fallowfield, means it is close to plenty of other student bars and clubs. However, it’s worth noting that it is further away from the university and city centre, so having a bus pass is recommended. With that being said, living in a student bubble is an amazing experience and a perfect opportunity to make friends.

In terms of your day-to-day life, you will attend lectures and seminars at university. The number of contact hours is significantly fewer than in school, with more independent study. It’s a good idea to develop the habit of working in the library or similar spaces and perhaps teaming up with a course mate for added support. If you decide to join a sport or a society, there will be lots of time for training, matches, and plenty of drinking and non-drinking related socials for all societies. During your free time, it’s great to explore the city and meet up with new friends. Adjusting to this newfound independence will also be quite time-consuming to begin with, including tasks like laundry and food shopping!

It is safe to say that my expectations of student life weren’t met to begin with, however, now I can confidently say that they have instead been exceeded, meaning I haven’t once regretted applying for UOM. The aspects of the course, the university and vibrant city, have shaped my experience into being the best one. So, when considering UOM, make sure you match your preferences to what the university has to offer, so you can also have the best experience.