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Manchester is one of the most popular student cities in the country for a reason. 

It has an amazing music scene, legendary nightlife, and endless shops… what more could you want?

Manchester is a large, well-connected city with excellent public transport, making it easy to get around, whether you’re studying at the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, or any of the nearby colleges.

While Manchester is more affordable than London, it’s not the cheapest place to live (based on rental values), so budgeting is still key to staying on top of your finances. Rent and bills can add up quickly, and when you’re a student, every pound matters.

If you’re thinking about studying in Manchester, or you’re already here and getting ready to move out of halls, starting yourstudent housesearch early is a smart move. This guide breaks down the best student neighbourhoods, average rental costs, andhow to handle student bills.

Studying in another city, or just need some general advice? Read ourstudent moving guide or our guides to other cities. Here’s everything you’ll need to know about student accommodation in Manchester…

Where to live in Manchester? Breaking down the city’s best student neighbourhoods 📍

Manchester is a major city in the North West of England, renowned for its culture and general vibes. While it’s a large, urban city, you're never far from some chill green space. 

The student population is spread across Greater Manchester, with different neighbourhoods offering different vibes. Here are the most popular areas for students:

Fallowfield: Best for student nightlife 🪩

  • A short bus ride or cycle from the University of Manchester and Manchester Met, with frequent buses running along Wilmslow Road.
  • Home to huge student developments like Richmond Park and Unsworth Park, alongside traditional shared houses.
  • Mostly large student house shares and some purpose-built accommodation, ideal for big groups.
  • Known for a buzzing social scene, it’s one of Manchester’s most student-heavy areas.
  • Close to parks and green spaces, including Platt Fields Park.
  • Generally, it is more affordable than living closer to the city centre, making it popular with second- and third-year students.

Victoria Park: A quieter student life 🌳

  • Located just south of the city centre, within walking distance of the universities and a short bus ride from Oxford Road
  • Popular student developments include Rusholme Place and iQ Daisy Bank
  • A mix of purpose-built student accommodation and shared houses
  • Quieter than Fallowfield, but still close to Rusholme’s famous Curry Mile for food and nights out

Didsbury: Chilled spot for final year and post-grads🏡

  • Located south of the city centre, around a 20–30 minute bus or tram journey to the University of Manchester and Manchester Met
  • A more residential, leafy area with a mix of shared houses and smaller student or young-professional flats
  • Known for its independent cafés and restaurants, especially around Burton Road and Didsbury Village
  • Close to green spaces like Fletcher Moss Park and the River Mersey, ideal for walks and downtime away from studies
  • Quieter than Fallowfield and the city centre, but still well connected via the Metrolink and bus routes
  • Generally more expensive than Fallowfield, but popular with postgraduates and final-year students looking for a calmer lifestyle

Northern Quarter: Trendy luxury in the city centre 🛍️

  • In the heart of the city centre, walking distance from Manchester Uni and Manchester Met
  • Home to high-end purpose-built student accommodation, including self-contained apartments with bills included
  • Known for its independent shops, cafés, bars, and creative scene, it is one of the most expensive student areas in the city

Near Campus (Oxford Road): Best for convenience 👍 

  • Centred around areas like Whitworth Park and Denmark Road, right next to the main university campuses
  • Mostly purpose-built student accommodation and smaller shared houses or flats
  • Excellent transport links, with buses, trains, and trams nearby, plus the uni is within walking distance
  • One of the more expensive student areas due to location, but perfect if you just want to roll out of bed and into lectures 

It really depends on your priorities. If you’re all about nightlife, then you can’t go wrong with Fallowfield or Oxford Road. If you prefer getting away from the hustle and bustle, then Didsbury or Victoria Park are popular options, especially if you’re looking for a house share.

Average rent costs 💷

Now that you have an idea of each area, here’s a guide to how much each costs on average.

Types of student housing in Manchester 👀

(Average rent costs as of December 2025)

Accommodation type

Typically for / location (Manchester)

Bills included?

Average rent

Key features

University-owned student halls

Usually first-year students, near Oxford Road campuses

Yes

£150–£250 per week

En-suite rooms, some shared bathrooms, term-time contracts, close to campus

Private purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA)

City centre (including Northern Quarter) Fallowfield, Victoria Park, near Oxford Road

Yes

From £230–£320 per week

En-suite rooms or studios, central locations, gyms, study spaces and communal areas

Private student housing

Fallowfield, Rusholme, Withington, Victoria Park, Didsbury

No

Typically £110–£150 pppw (in a 4–5 bed house)

Traditional terraced houses, living with your mates, bills usually split separately

 

Bills Included vs. Rent-Only? 🤙

Student halls and apartments typically include bills in your rent, so there’s only one payment to worry about each month.

With student housing, you can organise your own bills, which is cheaper and gives you the power to pick suppliers that work for you. If you’re on the hunt for cheap student accommodation in Manchester, then a student house with your own bills is the best option. 

Find out what to expect in our Manchester student bills guide.

Never sorted bills yourself before? Set up a bills package with Fused and roll all your bills into one payment and split the cost with your housemates- it’s easy.

Average student accommodation rent by area in Manchester 🏘️

Here’s what you can expect to pay for housing in each area:

(Average rent costs as of December 2025)

Area

Average rent per person per week (pppw) for a 4–5 bed student house

Distance to University of Manchester

Distance to Manchester Met

Fallowfield

£110–£140

10–15 min bus/cycle

15–20 min bus

Victoria Park

£120–£150

10–15 min walk or short bus

15 min bus

Didsbury

£130–£170

25–30 min bus or tram

30–35 min bus or tram

 

Private student housing vs. Purpose-built halls: Which is right for you in Manchester? 🤔

Student accommodation depends on you and your lifestyle. Student halls are great for first-year students as a transition into living away from home; you’ll meet new friends and only have to worry about one payment to cover rent and bills. 

In your second year, you’ll probably want to get the student house experience with your new mates. Here’s a quick look at the two types of student accommodation in Manchester and how they compare:

Purpose-built student halls (PBSA) 🏠

Student halls are either owned by the university (typically for first-year students) or private developments (popular with international students as well as any student who wants higher end, independent living.) Prepping for your first year at uni? Take a look at our uni packing guide so you don’t forget anything! 

Most PBSAs come with bills included, on-site security and en-suite rooms, so there’s very little to sort when you arrive. Manchester has loads of choice when it comes to student halls, especially around Oxford Road and Fallowfield. Many buildings also offer gyms, study spaces and communal areas, making it easier to meet people and settle in quickly.

The downside? Rules. Guest policies can be fairly strict, so if you’re asking, “Can my boyfriend/girlfriend stay over?” The answer is usually yes, but with limits. 

Halls are convenient and social, but they don’t always feel like a proper home; that’s where your student house comes in. 

Student housing 🕺

From second year onwards, most students are keen to get that proper student house experience. Grabbing a takeaway with your housemates or getting ready together for a night out just hits differently when you’re sharing a house, not a corridor of rooms.

Manchester has loads of popular student housing areas, including Fallowfield, Victoria Park, Didsbury and Chorlton. Where you end up will depend on where you study, your budget, and what kind of lifestyle you and your housemates want.

Depending on the tenancy agreement, you might be offered a bills included deal, but it’s more likely you’ll need to sort your own bills, either separately or with a bills package..

House hunting 101: A checklist for group shares ✅

  1. Start the house search early
    Kick off house hunting between November and January for the next academic year. The sooner you look, the better house you’ll get. 
  1. Check your guarantor
    A guarantor is someone who agrees to pay the rent if you can’t. For most students, this will be your parent or guardian. Most student landlords require a guarantor, so make sure you’ve got someone lined up before you commit to a house.

  2. Save up for your deposit
    You’ll need to pay around five weeks’ rent upfront for your deposit. Your landlord puts this in a government-approved deposit protection scheme and you should get it back at the end of your tenancy (as long as there’s no damage or unpaid rent). Read our guide to getting your deposit back so you don’t lose out at the end of your tenancy. 
  1. Furnished or unfurnished?
    Most Manchester student homes are already furnished, so you won’t need to worry about buying a bed or a desk. Check out our list of what to pack for uni helpful useful reminders.

  2. Go through the inventory on move-in day
    When you get the keys, go around the house and take photos of everything, especially any existing damage. You’ll need this as evidence if there are any disputes at the end of your tenancy. 

Solving the bill headache 💆‍♀️

Found your dream student house? Congrats! Before you get too settled, you’ll need to sort the bills. 

Students in Manchester need to budget for: 

  • Power: Gas and electricity
  • Water and sewerage
  • Broadband
  • TV Licence

You’re exempt from paying council tax, but you’ll need to tell Manchester City Council.

Average student bills in Manchester 💳

Here’s a quick overview of average bills for students in rent-only student houses in Manchester:

Bill

Supplier

Frequency

Approx. Cost

Notes

Gas & Electricity

Your choice

Monthly

Around £202.33 for a four/five-bedroom student house

The supplier can vary

Water

United Utilities

Monthly

Around £50 per month

—

Broadband

Your choice

Monthly

£20–30 per month, not including setup fees

—

Council Tax

Your local council

—

Free, unless you have non-student/part-time housemates

Full-time students are exempt

TV Licence

TV Licensing

Annual, Quarterly, or Monthly

£174.50 (annual) / £44.89 (quarterly) / £29.10 for first 6 months then £14.54 monthly

Needed live TV or BBC iPlayer

 

Total bills per person per month (split between four housemates): £74

Student bills packages 📦

Instead of setting up separate accounts with different suppliers and chasing housemates for money every month, you can bundle all your bills into one easy monthly payment with Fused.

You’ll also get a choice of superfast broadband deals from providers like Virgin Media, BT and Sky, so you’re covered whether you’re streaming, gaming or studying.

Student houses aren’t exactly known for being warm, so an unlimited energy package can help you avoid nasty bill surprises and keep the heating on when winter hits.

Manchester student life? Mad fer it! ✨

Manchester student life is incredible, it’s no wonder thousands of students travel to the city to study every year. 

Whether you’re moving into halls for your first year, house hunting with mates in Fallowfield or Victoria Park, or looking for something closer to campus along Oxford Road, planning ahead makes all the difference.

Start your search early, set a realistic budget, and make sure everyone in your friendship group understands the costs involved, especially when it comes to bills.

Once you’ve found the right place, sorting your bills doesn’t have to be another headache. 

With a Fused bills package, you can bundle energy, water, broadband and TV licence into one simple monthly payment, split evenly between housemates. That means less admin, fewer awkward money chats, and more time to enjoy student life in Manchester.