Are you struggling to find space in Main Library, or AGLC? Just want a change of scenery? You might want to consider other options for study spaces. Here’s our round up of hidden study space gems across the campus and the city. From independent cafés to atmospheric libraries, there’s plenty to suit your preferences!
Quiet spots:
If you prefer a quieter atmosphere while you work, head to one of Manchester’s scenic libraries. If you haven’t ventured to Central Library yet, it’s a must! Alternatively, for something a little closer to home on days when you’ve slept through your alarm, try either one of the libraries in Didsbury or Withington.
- Central Library: Monday to Thursday 9am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday 9am to 5pm.
- Withington Library: Monday and Wednesday 9am to 8pm, Tuesday 1pm to 8pm, Friday and Saturday 9am to 5pm. Withington Library will be closed from Monday 12 January and re-opening on Monday 23 February.
- Didsbury Library: Monday and Tuesday 9am to 8pm, Wednesday closed, Thursday to Saturday 9am to 5pm.
- Fallowfield Library: Monday 1pm to 7pm, Wednesday 2pm to 5pm, Thursday 10am to 5pm and Saturday 11am to 2pm.
- Chorlton Library: Monday, Friday, Saturday 9am to 5pm, Tuesday, Thursday 9am to 8pm, Wednesday closed.
- John Rylands Research Institute and Library: Part of the University, but located on Deansgate. The Harry Potter-esque reading room is available for anyone to study in. Open Wednesday – Saturday 9am until 5pm.
- The Portico library: Established in 1860 this historical library on Mosely Street is open to all Mon-Wed and Fri: 10am until 5pm, Thursday: 10am until 7pm and Saturday 12pm until 4pm.
You can visit the Manchester Council website to find more library spaces across the city.
On campus:
The big central spaces definitely aren’t the only study spots on campus! There are countless other options available to students that you may not have even heard of:
- Art and Archaeology Library, Mansfield Cooper Building – Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
- Stopford Library – Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
- Whitworth Park and The Whitworth Art Gallery Cafe – if you enjoy studying outdoors, visit one of Manchester’s most scenic green spaces. Even from the café, you can feel surrounded by nature as you work. Open Tuesday – Sunday 10 to 5pm, to 9pm on Thursdays.
- Alliance Manchester Business School study spaces are open to all students – Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm, Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 5pm.
- School of Environment, Education and Development Student Support and Library in Humanities Bridgeford Street Building, open 9am to 5pm Monday -Friday. There are bookable study rooms via the Library Resource Booker and a range of study space options.
- Nancy Rothwell Building has hundreds of great, flexible study spaces and three cafes available for all students. The building is open Monday – Friday 9am to 6pm.
Cosy Campus Spaces:
We also have a range of Cosy Campus spaces dotted around campus where you can study and make use of hot water and microwave facilities to make a brew or heat up food:
- University Place Drum, open 9am-9pm
- Dover Street Ex Café, open 9am-6pm
- Alan Gilbert Learning Commons, foyer, open 24 hours
- Nancy Rothwell Building, Ground Floor, open 9am-8pm
- Main Library, open 8am-midnight Monday to Friday, and 9am-midnight Saturday and Sunday
- Alliance Manchester Business School, 2.094, open 8am-8pm Monday to Friday and 9am-5pm Saturday and Sunday
- Samuel Alexander Building departmental hubs, West Wing, first and second floors, open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday
Stay up to date with available campus study spaces from the Library’s assessment support page.
Cafés around the city:
Go and grab a coffee and cake to help boost your study power! Here are just a handful of student favourites around the city:
- Chapter One Books, Northern Quarter – the large desk areas that hug each wall are perfect for students to work at!
- Fuel, Withington – this is the perfect spot for group work and serves up some of the best veggie and vegan food in the city on a student budget!
- The Pen and Pencil, Norther Quarter- A great relaxed option! There are also plenty of plug points and food is served all day if you get peckish.
- Foundation Coffee House, various locations – The large open space and fast WiFi is also a bonus.
- The Art of Tea, Didsbury – the attached bookshop makes this the perfect environment for studying. And just in case you didn’t know, University Green has some great cafés right here on campus, including Bold Street Coffee as well as Starbucks and the Café Nero tucked away in Blackwells.
- And finally, the Beehive Restaurant in Grade II listed Oddfellows Hall, offers a large light and airy space just over from Nancy Rothwell Building to grab a cuppa or lunch without venturing too far away from some of the main campus buildings.
City spaces:
The city doesn’t just have cafe’s to offer! If you’d prefer to study in a quieter environment that doesn’t feel as formal as a library, try one of the following work spaces:
- HOME ground floor – this study space is often forgotten about by students but is well worth a visit!
- Manchester Art Gallery cafe and outdoor seating on the Mosley Street terrace – this is the perfect place to work if you fancy having a mooch around the gallery on your study break.
- Colony or Seesaw are other options if you’re in desperate need of somewhere to go to really focus. They’re paid shared workspaces where you can book a day passes.