University of Manchester

The University of Manchester is one of Britain's most famous and forward-thinking universities, with a rich heritage stretching back 180 years and an exciting agenda for the future. Many major advances of the 20th century began here, including the birth of the computer, the splitting of the atom and the founding principles of modern economics. Today, research remains at the heart of the University and the quality, breadth and volume of our research activity is unparalleled in the UK. We are at the forefront of the search for solutions to some of the world's most pressing problems, boasting strong collaborative links with industry and public services.

We are well on the way to securing the kind of international reputation that will strengthen Manchester's position as the preferred destination for the best students, researchers and tutors. Since 2005, The University of Manchester has risen year on year in the influential Academic Ranking of World Universities conducted by Shanghai Jiao Tong University. In 2008, the University ranked sixth in Europe and 40th in the world.

The University has a vast heritage of alumni who have become leaders in their fields and an impressive 21 of our former staff and students are Nobel Prize winners. Today, our alumni can be found in top positions in business, politics and the arts. They include: the Chief Executive of Tesco; the President of Trinidad and Tobago; international architect Norman Foster; broadcaster and journalist Anna Ford; and actors and writers Meera Syal and Ben Elton.

Research excellence

The University of Manchester researches in a wider range of academic areas than any other UK university, and our commitment to research excellence is reflected in the outstanding results received in the recently published results of the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE).

Manchester is ranked third behind only Oxford and Cambridge in terms of ‘research power' with 65% of research activity - amounting to 1,193 full-time equivalent staff - judged to be 'world-leading' (4*) or 'internationally excellent' (3*). This puts us among only a handful of universities with an internationally significant research profile over a wide range of subject areas.

The results highlighted particularly exceptional results across a wide range of disciplines, including Cancer Studies, Dentistry, Biology, Music, Engineering, Sociology, Development Studies, Nursing and Drama.

Further information about Manchester's performance in the 2008 RAE can be found on our website: www.manchester.ac.uk/research/rae2008

Each year, the University attracts more than £250 million of research funding from external sources and we invest a further £96 million of our own funds into research. We are amongst the top three universities for grant funding from the main UK engineering, science and bioscience research councils.

The University has 22 academic schools and hundreds of specialist research groups, each undertaking pioneering multidisciplinary teaching and research, from Engineering and Physical Sciences to Medical, Human and Life Sciences and Humanities.

As a postgraduate student at The University of Manchester, you will make a major contribution to our research excellence, adding to the flourishing research culture of our schools, research groups and institutes. You will also benefit from international research leadership under distinguished scholars. Whether you are studying for a taught postgraduate award or a research degree, you will be directly involved in with cutting-edge research at the highest level.

First class facilities

The University is committed to providing first-class facilities for its students and its researchers. As part of our vibrant community of around 9,000 postgraduates, you will have access to one of the best-resourced academic libraries in the UK and one of the largest and most advanced academic IT services in Europe.

The University is currently investing more than £650 million in the largest and most ambitious capital building programme ever seen in British higher education, including eight new buildings and dozens of major refurbishment projects. As part of this investment we are committed to creating contemporary technology-rich teaching, learning and research spaces that put our students at the heart of the learning experience.

Career prospects

Deciding to embark on postgraduate study is a major step. You are investing significant time and money in furthering your career and knowledge, so it is encouraging to know that The University of Manchester not only gives you a postgraduate qualification that is globally recognised, but also provides access to a careers service that has been consistently voted the best careers service in the UK since 2002.

We advertise vacancies with more than 4,000 recruiters each year through an online service exclusively available to our students and graduates. Our Careers website, well equipped Careers Resource Centre and a wide variety of career-focussed events are complemented by invaluable one-to-one guidance sessions by postgraduate careers consultants, who can help you explore all your options and develop strategies to achieve your goals.

Whether you want a career in academia, business, industry, public services, or want to keep as many options open as possible, postgraduate study at The University of Manchester gives you:

• A globally recognised postgraduate qualification from a university with an outstanding reputation
• Training and development opportunities to help you stand out from the postgraduate crowd
• Access to thousands of potential employers
• Personal support from careers professionals with specialist training in working with postgraduates

Student life

As a student at The University of Manchester, you will become part of a community of students drawn from every corner of the world and every walk of life. It is home to a cosmopolitan group of 36,000 students from around 160 countries. The University goes to great lengths to ensure that a warm welcome is extended to all its students.

The University of Manchester Students' Union (UMSU) is the largest Students' Union in Europe, able to offer a wealth of services to the University's students.

The University of Manchester is at the heart of one of Europe's most exciting cities and the campus is just a short walk from the city centre and all its attractions. Manchester is the original modern city: a lively, vibrant metropolis with events, amenities and cultural attractions to appeal to every lifestyle; a trendsetting music and style capital that still has a place for traditional street markets and local pubs.

Our unrivalled programme of investment in talent and facilities is driven by our ambitious agenda for the future, which aims to place Manchester within the top 25 universities in the world.

If your ambition matches ours and you are looking for an unqualified commitment to excellence, we invite you to join us at The University of Manchester.

Further information: www.manchester.ac.uk

Find out how you can join us for our Open Day on the 25th November 2009: www.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/opendays

Apply online at: www.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate