The Best Student Activities in Manchester

Students, welcome to Manchester! The city of football, soap operas, and tonnes of culture!

There is never a shortage of things to do in Manchester, and it is the third most affordable city in the UK, which is a bonus.

From the glitz and glamour of Spinningfields to the edgy nightclubs of Mojo and South, Manchester has something for everyone.

With so much green space surrounding Manchester, you truly get the best of both worlds, whether you want to go for a walk in the Peak District or go shopping.

With approximately 96,200 students studying in the city, Manchester is extremely popular, and for a good reason!

We’ve compiled a list of the top things students can do in this fantastic city. Before we jump into our guide, have you thought about where you will live? Why not look at our current rentals if you need Manchester student accommodation?

1) Visit the Northern Quarter 

The edgy Northern Quarter, located between Piccadilly and Ancoats, is full of charm and character.

It’s easy to get lost in this vibrant neighbourhood, which is home to trendy independent fashion stores, vinyl stores, cafés, bars, and restaurants.

The Northern Quarter wasn’t really a thing until the mid-1990s when a group of businesses came together and created the branded area, which is now thriving.

You can easily spend a day here without leaving the district, where you’ll find hidden bars and secret streets perfect for Instagram!

If you get hungry, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from. Including TNQ, Home Sweet Home, and Noi Quattro for some Italian fare.

While you’re here, go street art spotting; some buildings have designated areas for street art and even invite artists to repaint them, which is pretty cool, right?

2) Visit a Manchester vinyl shop

Piccadilly Records, located in the Northern Quarter, has a fantastic eclectic selection of records from both local and international artists.

This establishment is so well-regarded that it even has its own book, which is quite impressive! There are numerous other vinyl shops to visit in addition to this one, including Vinyl Revival, Vinyl Exchange, and Yes King Records Limited.

Independent record shops have enjoyed a second life due to the recent vinyl craze. So head down to the Northern Quarter and take advantage of it!

3) Visit the Lowry 

This charity is a non-profit organisation brings the best in visual and performing arts to Salford.

With various performances on offer, The Lowry is an excellent excuse to dress up with your friends and catch a show in the evening!

Their vision is to be a world-class arts centre where visitors always have a positive experience.

Popular performers include Iain Sterling and Jen Brister. And a slew of art exhibitions ranging from digital art programmes to LS Lowry talks and tours.

If this is your first taste of Manchester as a student, you have a lot to look forward to in this fantastic city!

We have a head office in Manchester and an award-winning team to fulfil all of your property-seeking needs. If you wish to move to Manchester for university or want to explore your options, visit our Manchester office or call us on 0161 302 8141.