You’re just done with high school, and you’re planning on moving to the UK for your studies, like you’ve always dreamed. One minor setback presents itself to you: the costs—so big and so expensive that you can buy a house with it. You contemplate some more and dig a little deeper until you stumble upon one of the less expensive cities in the UK, namely, Manchester.

Manchester is a vibrant city with a lot to offer students. It's also a relatively cheap place to live, with many affordable student areas, especially when compared to other major UK cities like London and Oxford. This city is renowned for its top-quality education system, boasting several leading universities with programmes recognised worldwide. So, it's a one-stop shop for quality education, culture, and exciting events in England.

Moving to Manchester for your studies is an exciting adventure, but it's essential to manage your finances wisely, especially when it comes to accommodation. Manchester is known for its dynamic student community and offers a diversity of housing options to suit every budget.

This article explores some of the best student areas and student rooms in Manchester, helping you make the most of your university experience without breaking the bank. So, without further ado, let’s jump right in!

Cheap Areas to Live in Manchester

If you're a student on a budget, there are a number of areas in Manchester where you can find cheap housing. Here are a few of the most popular options.

Rusholme

Rusholme, also known as the "Curry Mile", is a popular student neighbourhood known for its affordable housing and delicious Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. This suburb offers a variety of housing options, catering to students from the nearby universities. If you’re looking for student accommodation near the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan, then living in Rushlome gives you easy access to both.

Fallowfield

Fallowfield is a popular student neighbourhood known for its proximity to the universities, lively nightlife, and affordable housing. The area is home to the University of Manchester, Platt Fields Park, and various student housing options, including shared houses, flats, apartments, and halls.

Victoria Park

Victoria Park is a popular student neighbourhood where you can find cheap housing in Manchester, known for its tranquil setting, affordability, and accessibility. It's conveniently close to both the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University, and it offers a mix of shared houses and purpose-built student accommodations. The neighbourhood boasts a charming park, perfect for leisurely strolls and outdoor activities.

Withington

Withington is a popular student neighbourhood with a strong student presence and lower rent prices than more central neighbourhoods. It's located within a manageable distance of the universities and offers a lively high street with plenty of amenities. Withington is an excellent choice for students who want a slightly quieter environment while still being connected to the city's bustling life.

Longsight

Longsight is a diverse and affordable student neighbourhood with a strong sense of community. It's not as close to the universities as some other areas, but it offers some of the most affordable housing and a variety of budget-friendly shopping centres and markets for students looking to save on groceries.

Levenshulme

Levenshulme is one of the cheaper areas to live in Manchester. It’s a vibrant neighbourhood, right on the outskirts of Manchester city centre. It offers a unique charm with its independent shops and restaurants, in addition to excellent transport links to the city's universities. Shared houses are common in Levenshulme, making it a budget-friendly option for students.

Gorton

Gorton is a highly affordable student neighbourhood in Manchester, offering excellent value for money. Like Longsight and Levenshulme, it's a bit further from the universities than some other areas, but it's well-connected by public transportation.

Cheap Housing in Manchester

Now that we’re through talking about affordable student areas in Manchester, it’s about time we discussed cheap student accommodation in Manchester. Again, without further ado, here are our top picks:

iQ Fletcher House

If you’re looking for student accommodation that’s just within walking distance from the centre of the city, iQ Fletcher House is the one for you. This cheap student housing in Manchester offers you a self-contained apartment and has everything you might need during your stay, including Wi-Fi, 24/7 security, laundry, a common social room, and all-inclusive bills. Other amenities include an on-site cinema room, an on-site gym, and a games room. It’s worth mentioning that this student accommodation is close to the University of Manchester.

Weston Court

If you’re looking for student accommodation that’s near Manchester city centre, Weston Court will easily do the trick. It is an eight-minute ride from the University of Manchester, while you can reach Manchester Metropolitan University in 14 minutes on foot or less. Besides that, the building is also surrounded by multiple exciting entertainment places as well as various great dining spots.

Weston Court offers three single-room styles, all within shared apartments. These options are: Gold Non-Ensuite, Silver Non-Ensuite, and Bronze Non-Ensuite. All residents at Weston Court get to enjoy superfast Wi-Fi and all-inclusive rent that includes contents insurance, laundry services, and provides access to all the building’s facilities. The property has on-site management and maintenance teams, a free on-site gym to keep healthy, and an on-site convenience store so that you can shop conveniently. The property also has a fantastic social life, which is further enhanced through its regular social events.

Manchester Student Village

Manchester Student Village is a student accommodation located at Lower Chatham Street, just a short walk from Manchester city centre. This will place you at the heart of life, entertainment, and many fantastic eateries. If that doesn’t impress you enough, maybe knowing that you get to choose between single rooms, en-suite rooms, and studio rooms will; there’s a room for everyone here.

Whatever type of room you choose, you will always get to enjoy high-speed Wi-Fi, free contents insurance, and all-inclusive rent. You will also have various services, some of which are provided through the on-site management team. Other services include an on-site car park, an on-site maintenance team to quickly resolve maintenance issues, and a social events calendar. 

Other property highlights include a gym, a games room, and a chillout space with large TVs. For more convenience, quiet study rooms, laundry facilities, and an on-site convenience store are also available. The property also features an outdoor terrace space.

Mansion Point

With many restaurants and excellent transport options nearby, this student accommodation in Manchester, Mansion Point, has an ideal location. Multiple green spaces are within your reach, including the famous Platt Fields Park, a six-minute stroll away. It has everything you need for a unique day out; from tennis courts to bowling greens to a football pitch, you can play as much as you want. Amazing universities near you also come in abundance. The property is just an eight-minute drive from the University of Manchester.

You can choose between en-suites with private bathrooms and studios with private bathrooms and kitchens. Whichever your choice is, you can benefit from free Wi-Fi throughout the building as well as great on-site facilities. The available on-site facilities include an on-site cinema room, storage, laundry rooms, bike storage, and vending machines. In addition, you’ll find study zones, a communal area with TVs, an outdoor social space, and a shared games area to relax with your flatmates.

Rusholme Place

Rusholme Place, a student accommodation right in the heart of the city, is within a short walking distance of both Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Manchester. The property’s studio rooms and en-suite rooms come in three styles: gold, silver, and bronze.

The building offers a free high-speed Wi-Fi connection, 24/7 security, contents insurance, and all-inclusive bills. The property contains various facilities, which include bike storage spaces, car parking (for a small fee), and laundry rooms. You will find a communal area that holds regular social events to help you interact with your flatmates more. Kitchen and common area cleaning services are provided every fortnight, and free bedding packs are provided every fortnight for international students as well.

Top Tips for Finding Affordable Accommodation

Now, we think it’s safe to assume that you know all about the best cheap areas to live in Manchester and the most affordable student rooms in Manchester. To put the cherry on top, we, in this section, provide you with top tips and tricks when looking for flats to rent as a student.

1. Start Early

Start searching for accommodation well in advance, as the best deals tend to go quickly, especially at the beginning of the academic year.

2. Look for Student-Specific Accommodation

Purpose-Built Student Accommodation, or PBSAs, are your best options. They are much more affordable, and they allow you to be a part of the student community!

3. Consider Sharing

Sharing accommodation with other students can significantly reduce your living costs. This is a great way to save money on rent and utilities.

4. Budget Wisely

Calculate your budget, taking into account not just rent but also utility bills, food and drink, and other expenses. This will help you effectively manage your finances.

5. Check the Transport Links

Ensure that the area you choose has reliable public transportation options to make commuting to your university easier.

That’s all, folks! Manchester offers a wide range of affordable student areas, catering to various budgets and preferences. By considering the cheap housing in Manchester listed in this blog post and following the tips for securing economical accommodation, you can enjoy your time in Manchester without worrying about excessive living costs.

Manchester’s universities are highly esteemed and famous worldwide; you can check out our blog on how to get a UK student visa if you are not familiar with the process. Good Luck!