10 Reasons to choose us
1. Global reputation
2. Research Centres
3. Excellent teaching and learning resources
4. Linguistic and Cultural Institutes
5. Range of courses
6. Increased career opportunities
7. Residence Abroad
8. Language Experience for All Programme (LEAP)
9. A welcoming, International community
10. Language related social events
1. Global Reputation
The University of Manchester has a worldwide reputation for research, teaching and innovation. In the most recent survey conducted by the Times Higher Education Supplement, the University is ranked 30th globally.
In the British Government's Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) Manchester's scores are amongst the highest in the UK. The latest RAE results (2008) propelled the University of Manchester to the top 5 research institutions in the UK.
The School also boasts a number of prestigious names, ensuring top quality teaching and research. These include, Professor Mona Baker (Translation Studies), Professor Vera Tolz (Russian Studies), Professor Hong Liu (Chinese) and Professor Yaron Matras (Linguistics).
2. Research Centres
The School boasts a variety of language related research centres. They aim to promote collaborative developments, creating new approaches to ideas. Recent centres, which have been created include:
- Centre for Translation and Intercultural Studies (CTIS)
- Centre for Chinese Studies (CCS)
- Centre for Latin American Cultural Studies (CLACS)
More information and a full list of Centres.
3. Excellent teaching and learning resources
Within the School of Languages, Linguistics and Cultures, The University Language Centre offers a range of teaching and learning resources:
- A library of multi-format materials in some 70 languages.
- TV/VCRs showing a range of satellite channels from around the world.
- Multimedia PCs for computer aided language learning, multilingual word processing and DVD viewing.
4. Linguistic and Cultural Institutes
The School of Languages, Linguistics and Cultures is home to branches of two of the world's most prestigious linguistic institutes:
- The Confucius Institute - a partnership with the Office of Chinese Language Council International and Beijing Normal University.
- The Goethe-Institut Examination Centre - part of a world-wide network of Goethe-Institut Centres.
The School has fostered very strong links with other cultural delegations based in Manchester such as the Alliance Française and the Instituto Cervantes. The School is also host to the Spanish Embassy Education Office and has recently linked up with PLIDA Commerciale to offer PLIDA certificates.
5. Range of courses
Studying languages at Manchester gives you a choice of more than 350 undergraduate modules and 150 postgraduate modules. Some examples of areas you could study are French Popular Music, Morality and Politics in German Drama, Italian Visual Culture, Classical Islamic History.
6. Increased career opportunities
A degree from the University of Manchester is recognised worldwide. A recent survey of 736 top international and national employers ranked Manchester fourth in the UK for the standard of our graduates. The University of Manchester careers service has consistently been voted the best in the country by recruiters. It also offers advisors specialising in careers in languages and a huge range of languages careers resources. Find out more about careers opportunities for graduates in languages.
7. Residence Abroad
Anyone taking a languages degree here at Manchester spends their third year abroad. Our residence abroad programme has a number of unique features to make your experience unforgettable:
- A wide range of destinations such as, Russia, Mexico and Egypt.
- Free comprehensive travel and medical insurance for the year abroad.
- A dedicated year abroad coordinator to ensure your year goes smoothly.
Find out more by reading our students' residence abroad blogs.
8. Language Experience for All Programme (LEAP)
In addition to your chosen degree programme, the University of Manchester offers the opportunity to study an additional language, which you can do in your own time or include as part of your course credits (LEAP). You can chose from languages such as: Catalan, Dutch, Urdu, Greek.
This programme is not limited to Languages, Linguistics and Cultures students so you might wish to consider learning a language alongside any degree that you choose to study at the University of Manchester.
9. A welcoming, International community
The University has a lively, cosmopolitan campus with a welcoming feel. We have more accommodation than other university in the UK, including over 9,200 places in Halls of residence. In addition we guarantee accommodation to international students for the full duration of their degree programme.
Manchester is the UK's 'second city', multi-faith, with all the amenities you would expect of a modern European metropolis.
A range of services for international students are available to help you both before and during your studies, including an airport collection service, orientation courses and specialist advisers.
Manchester attracts students from more than 180 countries and has a truly multi-cultural campus. Our students come from a range of countries, including South Africa, China, Taiwan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Brazil, Iran, Greece, Italy, Cyprus, Poland, Kuwait, Czech Republic, USA, Japan and Egypt.
10. Language related social events
We offer a variety of language related social events to give you an opportunity to use your language outside the classroom. For example:
- Palaver festival - an annual celebration of language and performance.
- Face to Face - this scheme brings Home and International students together, for a chance to practise their language skills for free.
- Societies - There are almost 30 societies specifically for International and language students.
The University campus is very close to the Cornerhouse cinema - Manchester's international centre for contemporary visual arts and film. They show a number of foreign films and hold film festivals, such as the Spanish and Latin American Viva Film Festival.
Click here to see what current students in the School of Languages, Linguistics and Cultures think of Manchester and the University.