Student Accommodation Manchester- Which one is the best for you?

Deciding what university to go to is a huge challenge. There are so many elements you have to take into consideration. Entry requirements Distance from home, cost of living, what you need. I’ve been through it myself, and I know first hand how daunting it can be. One element that can have a huge influence on your decision is the student accommodation. In some cases it really can make or break which University you decide to attend.

You can check out ‘Student Houses Manchester: The Survival Guide‘ to help you with what you may need along with other helpful tips for students.

When I visited Manchester on MMU’s opening day, I fell in love with the city. I viewed a variety of accommodations available and was sure this was the place for me. After being granted a bursary I was able to live in one of the nicer student accommodation Manchester metropolitan had available- Birley halls.

After making friends with a group of people on my course, I got a good insight into the other accommodation options available too. 4 years on, I’ve experienced all kinds of student accommodation Manchester has to offer. From the halls available in the city centre to the depths of studentville in the heart of Fallowfield. This article aims to help you identify the best student accommodation for you. The four student halls we discuss are Birley, Cambridge, Cavendish and New Medlock. 

Birley Student Accommodation Manchester

The first student accommodation Manchester Metropolitan University offers that we will be discussing is Birley. Birley is a mix of modern townhouses situated in close proximity to MMU’s brooks building of educational studies. For those studying business, art or science related subjects, be prepared to walk 10-15 minutes to get to your lectures. 

The accommodation comes fully furnished with the option for a ¾ bed and a bathroom shared between 2. You can also opt for a double bed and en suite but this is more expensive and when sharing a bathroom with one other person it almost seems like an en suite anyway. During my time at Birley I was sharing with 11 other students. This did come as a shock purely due to the mixture of personalities but the upside is that you’re bound to find friendship in at least one of your flat mates. 

Birley was a good level of lively with flat parties from time to time. I think it differs from flat to flat but for those who want a mixture of nights out and chilled time, Birley is the place to be. Just be prepared to walk a lot to get into town and to lectures unless you want to spend all your student loan on ubers. In all fairness directly across the road from Birley is a subway, co-op, café and post office so it does have all your necessities close by. Another benefit of Birley is the outside space with a BBQ area which is great if you’re wanting to mix with other people residing in the neighbouring townhouses.

  • Bedroom rating: 8
  • Communal areas:
  • Location: 5
  • Value for money: 6
  • Social experience: 7

Cambridge Student Accommodation Manchester

Next on the list is Cambridge. This accommodation is definitely geared towards those with a desire to party.  This student accommodation Manchester offers furnished cosy bedrooms with single beds and a small space to study. The best part about Cambridge is its close proximity to the lecture theatres and library, meaning you can roll out of bed and stroll across the street straight to your lecture. Perfect if you have a hangover. 

Cambridge is most suitable for those who love meeting new people and making friends. This accommodation is renowned for its lively parties. Close to Oxford Road with great links into the city centre, Cambridge gives you the opportunity to explore Manchester to the fullest. Whether you want a shopping trip to the Arndale or to the Northern Quarter, cheap bars and even better nightclubs, Cambridge is on the doorstep of it all.

  • Bedroom rating: 4
  • Communal areas: 6
  • Location: 7
  • Value for money: 7
  • Social experience: 8

Cavendish Student Accommodation Manchester

If you’re looking for a central location, a great social atmosphere and good value for money, Cavendish is the place for you. This accommodation usually houses up to 13 students per flat with shared living and bathroom facilities. For me this was off putting as the thought of sharing a toilet with so many people seemed daunting and if I’m honest just a bit gross. For many of my course mates it was all part of the experience. 

Cavendish has been fairly modernised on the inside with a bright communal kitchen. The downside of this student accommodation Manchester Metropolitan offers is its lack of shared living space. This meant watching telly together had to be around the kitchen table in the kitchen so not as comfortable for those who like to chill out. 

Similarly to Cambridge, Cavendish is a lively accommodation known for parties. I think this has a lot to do with the fact that it is right next to Oxford Road and a variety of student bars, cheap cocktails and popular clubs. The bedrooms here are slightly bigger than those at Cavendish boasting some great storage space and bright bedrooms. 

  • Bedroom rating: 6
  • Communal areas: 5
  • Location: 7
  • Value for money: 8
  • Social experience: 8

New Medlock House Student Accommodation Manchester

Last but not least on the list of Student Accommodation Manchester has to offer is New Medlock house. Unlike the other accommodation listed, this option is a private partner and therefore not owned by the University. This choice of student accommodation is a modern block of flats with a cosy bedroom and communal area shared by up to 5 students. 

Although this accommodation, like Birley’s, is a bit further away from the city centre and lecture theatres, it comes with some added benefits. The best perk of New Medlock house is that rent includes membership to the Unite gym. New Medlock is also only a few minutes walk to one of the favourite student pubs and sports bars in the city such as Courtyard.

This accommodation has been described to be fairly noisy at times with thinner walls and frequent parties. Therefore this accommodation is probably best for those who enjoy partying and socialising.

  • Bedroom rating: 6
  • Communal areas: 6
  • Location: 6
  • Value for money: 5
  • Social experience: 7

Overview of Student Accommodation at Manchester Metropolitan University

All in all, Manchester Metropolitan University does a good job of providing a range of accommodation to suit all needs. There are options available to suit most budgets and there are other accommodation options not mentioned in this article that house less students per flat making them quieter for those who are not as social.


We hope this article has provided you with a better insight into the student halls for your first year of university. If you’re starting to think about second year housing, check our our blog on ‘Fallowfield Manchester The Ultimate Student Guide‘ for useful information on living in Fallowfield. We also have a blog on ‘Manchester nightclubs‘ if you are new to Manchester. Don’t forget to Enjoy Manchester!

About the author
Craig Johnson

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