A truly international university, our community includes more than 44,000 students, 12,000 staff, and 550,000 alumni from 190 countries working together to tackle the world’s biggest challenges.
University of Manchester - Online and Blended Learning
About
The University of Manchester’s Online and Blended Learning programmes are here to bring you flexible access to world-leading education on your terms. With online learning, you’ll receive the same renowned teaching and support as on-campus students, while having the freedom to study at your own pace.
Choose from a range of online qualifications, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses and online master’s courses – covering everything from an Educational Leadership in Practice MA to a Pollution and Environmental Control MSc – and gain unique skills in your chosen area.
Educational excellence The University of Manchester is a world-renowned Russell Group institution, ranked 34th best university in the world, 10th best in Europe and 6th best in the UK (QS rankings, 2025). We’re recognised for delivering leading research and teaching across our wide range of specialist departments – and our distance learning offering is no different. Each course benefits from expert teaching from professionals with real-world experience in their field. High-quality tools and support Our online university courses benefit from the same level of teaching support as our on-campus learners.
We’re a university that’s invested heavily in technology to keep you connected to your course leaders and fellow online learning course students – including interactive platforms like our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and discussion forums to enable collaboration. Rest assured, you’ll always feel supported throughout your online study. Study from anywhere in the world Online degree courses with The University of Manchester enable you to work where and when it suits you – so you can tailor your learning around your other commitments. Whether you’re caring for family or studying while in employment, our online courses run for a range of fixed and flexible durations – enabling you to work and pace yourself through the high-quality learning materials at your own convenience.
Steeped in history and always evolving, our home on Oxford Road places community, sustainability and innovation at its heart. Completion of a £1 billion, ten-year Campus Masterplan has transformed the area, and future developments will continue to improve our research, learning and working environments.
Historic buildings
Iconic buildings with fascinating histories and world-changing stories to tell.
- Whitworth Hall
- Christie Building
- Beyer Building
- Coupland Building
- John Owens Building
- Sackville Street Building
- Rutherford Building
- Samuel Alexander Building
An evolving campus
New buildings, major refurbishments and important conservation works.
- Nancy Rothwell Building
- The Old Quadrangle
- Brunswick Park
- National Graphene Institute
- Graphene Engineering innovation Centre
- Royce Hub Building
Beautiful green spaces
Delightful outdoor spaces to be enjoyed across campus.
- The Old Quadrangle
- Brunswick Park
- Alan Gilbert Square
- University Green
- Whitworth Park
A single campus
Three Faculties located within one university campus.
- Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Science and Engineering
Cultural institutions
Wondrous cultural institutions in Manchester and the north-west.
- The Whitworth Art Gallery
- Manchester Museum
- The John Rylands Research Institute and Library
- Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre
- Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama
Facilities
- Research facilities
- Conference facilities
- The University Library
- Cultural institutions
- Accommodation
- Race relations
From your initial expression of interest right through to graduation, you’ll receive all the support you need. We can support you with enrolment and subject assistance, administrative logistics and fee options, online learning skills, workload management and special circumstances including a possible professional entry route.
To apply for this visa, you must have a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) issued by the University. The CAS is a unique reference number which confirms that the University has agreed to be your sponsor, and provides information about you and your study to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) as part of your visa application.
If you currently hold a different UK visa, you may be able to still use this when you choose to study. If you do, you should ensure that you’re still able to meet the conditions for which your visa was issued.
Further information about other eligible visa types is available on our Student Support site.
Receiving your CAS number
Once you have accepted an unconditional offer for your programme of study, you'll be invited to complete the Right to Study check. If the check identifies that you require a CAS to study at The University of Manchester, this will be sent to your academic School for them to start preparing your CAS.
If you’re undertaking a one-year master's degree, you are required to pay a deposit of £1,000 before the CAS can be issued. Visit our deposits and early payments page for further information.
Once your CAS has been created, you'll be sent an email asking you to check your draft CAS in MyManchester and confirm that your details are correct. Once you have confirmed these details via MyManchester, we will process your CAS and email it to you as soon as it’s ready, but no more than six months before your course start date.
How to apply for your visa
Our guidance will help you complete your online visa application form and tell you what documents are required as part of your application. Please read this guidance carefully, including the financial evidence requirements.
Student route applications can take up to three weeks to be processed and may take longer during busy periods or if your application has to be processed by a British embassy in another country. You can find out how long it will take for your application to be processed via the UKVI website.
How to fund your online course
See how you can fund your online course including loans, scholarships, bursaries and tuition discounts.
Loans, self-funding and employer funding
- Postgraduate loans
- Employer funding
- Self-funding
Scholarships
- Equity and Merit Scholarships
Equity and Merit Scholarships are for academically excellent students who have the potential to make a significant contribution to sustainable development in their home countries but cannot afford to study at Manchester without a scholarship.
There are 30 scholarships available – with 10 for online students - for students from Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
The scholarships cover full tuition fees, and for students who will be studying in Manchester, the award includes return international airfares, living expenses and visas.
- Manchester Master's Bursary
The University of Manchester is committed to widening participation in master’s study and awarding a number of bursaries each year.
For the 2024/25 academic year, there are 125 bursaries worth £4,000 per selected student. The bursaries are aimed at helping students from underrepresented groups access postgraduate education.
If you match the relevant criteria and have applied for an eligible master’s course, you may apply for the Bursary. Having a confirmed master’s course placement isn't needed at this stage.
- Manchester Alumni Scholarship
If you're a current or recent student at The University of Manchester and plan to start a master's course in the Faculty of Humanities or the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, you may be eligible.
- Faculty of Humanities
£3,000 reduction on fees paid directly to the University at the start of the course.
Eligibility criteria:
- Available to UoM graduates who have received a first-class honours degree by enrolling on a Faulty of Humanities master’s course.
- Students applying will need to apply within three years of receiving their degree.
- The scholarship is available for international, EU and home students who study full-time, part-time, or by distance learning.
- You may be eligible to apply for other bursaries across the University; please contact the School in which your course will be based for further information.
Please note that you will not normally receive the Manchester Alumni Scholarship should you be successful in applying for another University scholarship.
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
£1,000 reduction on fees paid directly to the University at the start of the course.
Eligibility criteria:
- Available to UoM graduates enrolling on a Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health postgraduate taught master’s programme.
- You must have graduated in the previous year or be graduating currently with a first-class honours degree.
- The scholarship is available for international, EU and home students who will study full-time or part-time.
You must be self-funded and must not receive any other funding support.
Tuition discounts
- Early application discounts
- NHE employee discount
- Alumni discount
Discounts and scholarships are not accumulative. If you quality for more than one, you will be awarded the one that is the highest amount.
We’re ranked the 6th best university in the UK and 52nd overall in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (2024).
Our commitment to achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals is unmatched. That’s why we’re the only university in the world to rank in the top ten for social and environmental impact in every year of the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.
Our university is a powerhouse of research and discovery; we were ranked fifth for research power – the quality and scale of research and impact – in the UK government’s Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.
The institution is the most popular in the UK for undergraduate applications (UCAS 2023 cycle), and it is the second most targeted university by the UK’s leading employers (The Graduate Market, 2024).
World rankings
Using different methodologies, international rankings typically compare universities from across the globe for their research performance and academic reputation.
| League table | World | Europe | UK |
| QS World University Ranking 2025 | 34 | 10 | 6 |
| QS World University Rankings: Europe (2024) | 7 | ||
| Academic Ranking of World Universities (2024) | 52 | 15 | 6 |
| Times Higher Education (2025) | 53 | ||
| Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings (2024) | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Times Higher Education ‘Most International University’ rankings (2024) | 23 | ||
| QS World University Sustainability Rankings | 9 | 6 | 4 |
Online learning gives you access to the high-quality experience from The University of Manchester, with the flexibility to study from anywhere in the world. The online model is ideal for working professionals who want to study alongside their careers and other commitments by offering flexible, part-time study.
- Teaching excellence
- Flexibility
- High quality resources
- An online community
- A global approach
Making friends and fitting in
Our campus community
We create a sense of belonging here through our diverse and inclusive community initiatives on campus, including:
- Student societies and clubs – join one of the 400 societies/clubs and find like-minded people and explore new interests.
- Community events – there are regular events, from cultural festivals to sports tournaments, that bring students together and help build our strong sense of community.
- Sustainable campus – our commitment to sustainability ensures we promote a healthy environment, with green spaces and eco-friendly practices.
Religion, faith and culture
We have a diverse community with a mix of beliefs, faiths and cultures and we recognise this is an important part of many students' lives.
There are chaplaincy centres, prayer rooms and dedicated religious clubs and societies within the Students' Union.
Clubs and societies
There are many ways to get involved and find something that's right for you, including;
- 400+ societies – discover your passion and connect with others through over 400 diverse societies.
- Over 60 sports clubs – with so many sports on offer, you can find one that interests you and explore the different ways to get involved.
- Give it a Go – our Students’ Union’s ‘Give it a Go’ programme lets you try out different societies before committing and is a great way to explore new interests and meet people.
- Volunteering and leadership – many societies offer leadership roles or volunteering opportunities, which can be a fun way to boost your CV and give you valuable experience.
Sport and fitness
Taking part in sports gives you the chance to develop your teamwork skills, make new friends and enjoy some downtime between studying.
You can get involved in a number of different ways, including:
- exploring a range of activities for beginners through the Sporticipate programme;
- using the local sports facilities, with discounted rates for students, including three fitness suites, two 50-metre swimming pools, indoor courts and outdoor pitches;
- enjoying a whole city of sport, including the National Cycling Centre, regional tennis and athletics centres and a national squash centre.
