The University of Greater Manchester is historically known for its student-first approach to aid their academic success and help them become successful professionals in their respective fields, making it a preferred choice for students planning to study in UK. Formerly known as the University of Bolton, its legacy as an academic institution with a “forward-thinking style” dates back to 1824, serving as an origin point. Years of its existence as a major institution in Bolton, Greater Manchester, led to its official status as a university in 2004. This title reward from the Privy Council allowed the university to grow its influence across the Greater Manchester area.
In 2024, it was renamed as the “University of Greater Manchester”. The university has a reputation for maintaining a smaller batch of students in its current class, which allows students to receive personalised attention and support from their experienced teachers and staff members. It is located in Bolton, which is a student-friendly town with a mere 20-minute train ride away from the city centre of Manchester. This location provides students with one of Europe’s most exciting places to explore while focusing on their regular studies, making it an ideal destination to study in UK. Specifically, Indian students will enjoy a warm, welcoming atmosphere and an inclusive environment.
University of Greater Manchester courses are career-focused and offer students a curriculum that aids their professional development in their respective fields of study. All Indian students will find the University of Greater Manchester to be a great place to start their academic journey while planning to study in UK, with an affordable education plan and without compromising on the academic experience equivalent to a metropolitan university.
University of Greater Manchester rankings include the following: 102nd position out of 130 institutions in the UK, showing a significant growth in the past five years, as per the “University League Tables 2026” representation by The Complete University Guide; 54th in North West England by The Guardian in its “University Guide 2026” representation; 2150th global ranking by UniRank; 2328th position for the international ranking (a significant jump through 590 positions), 738th in Europe, and 111th in the United Kingdom.
CUG
102
Guardian
54
Webometrics
2328
The University of Greater Manchester has a streamlined process of application approvals for students in all fields of education. Undergraduate applicants can use the online admission portal, UCAS, to apply for admission while paying a small application fee. All postgraduate applicants can apply online through the university’s official website. The major components for international students to ensure a successful completion of the University of Greater Manchester admission process include academic transcripts, a Statement of Purpose (SOP), 2-3 LORs (Letters of Recommendation), and proof of English language proficiency through the IELTS and PTE Academic scores.
Choosing the University of Greater Manchester for overseas educational purposes will offer a greater advantage in saving a lot of money on the cost of living, as Bolton is very much affordable when compared to other major cities in the United Kingdom, including London and Manchester City centre, leading to a higher return on investment. The university’s focus on improving practical skills through industry-standard projects has a strong impact on students’ career prospects. The University of Greater Manchester ROI is strong in terms of long-term gains for graduates, as they will have the opportunity to utilise the placement across North West England.
| Course | Annual Package |
|---|---|
| Software Engineer | £40,000 |
| Registered Nurse | £34,581 |
| Business Analyst | £38,000 |
| Mechanical Engineer | £36,000 |
| Accountant | £35,000 |
Yes, the University of Greater Manchester is the same as the University of Bolton. The latter changed its name in 2024, from having “Bolton” in the original to “Greater Manchester” at the present moment.
Yes, the University of Greater Manchester is a good place to study for all international students. It is known for its smaller batch size, teaching career-oriented academic programs at affordable prices in a student-friendly environment.
As the name suggests, the former is located in Manchester city, while the latter is from the metropolitan county, Greater Manchester, near the town of Bolton (which is why the former name was “University of Bolton”). The main difference between the University of Manchester and the University of Greater Manchester lies in their exact location and popularity. While the former is a large, research-intensive university, the latter is a comparatively small and distinctive higher education institution.
Yes, Bolton is a safe place for all international students to study in England, UK. The university is situated in a student-friendly place, offering a lower cost of living than other major cities like London or Manchester city centre.
Yes, the University of Greater Manchester offers several scholarships for international students across all its degree levels, based on the particular requirements for an academic program, set by the Branch Offices and Admissions Staff.