Is prior research or work experience required for admission to MA programs at the University of Manchester?

No, for most of the MA courses at Manchester University, the work on research experience is not mandatory as an Indian student. It is definately not always required but if an Indian student has a relevant experience, academic research or internships, they should use it in the application.

Can students from non‑humanities backgrounds apply for certain MA programs at the University of Manchester?

Yes, for some MA programs, Indian students would be required to have a relevant background to apply. Look at the pointers given below - For most of the University of Manchester courses, a Humanities background is not mandatory. The students should have a minimum of 55% or higher in UG level from a recognised Indian university.

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M.A. Courses at University of Manchester

Q: Do all MA courses at Manchester require a dissertation or final project?

Yes, almost all the PG-level courses at Manchester University would need Indian students to submit a final dissertation or project. This is the requirement as part of their 1-year curriculum structure. This final project awards the students 60 credits out of the 180-credit degree. A well researched paper or a practical project needs to be submitted.

Q: Are MA courses at Manchester taught, research‑based, or a combination of both?

The MA programs offered by the University of Manchester are mostly taught based on these, which consist of lectures, seminars and coursework. Look at the pointers given below - In the first semester, Indian students will be taught mostly and then the students will be required to submit a research heavy dissertation. It is ideal for students who want a blend of intensive study and research experience.

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Table of contents

Highlights of MA Courses at University of Manchester 2026
Manchester University M.A. Popular courses
University of Manchester MA Tuition Fees 2026
University of Manchester MA Application Process 2026
University of Manchester MA Admission Dates 2026
+ 2 more items

Highlights of MA Courses at University of Manchester 2026

Ranked at #8 (Shiksha Polularity Rankings) for MA courses at the University of Manchester, Indian students can choose to apply for the courses in fields like Criminology, Playwriting, International Relations, English Literature and American Studies, Film Studies and more at Manchester University.

Indian students apply for the MA admissions at the University of Manchester due to a variety of reasons like excellent academic standards, a really diverse environment and great funding options.

To apply, Indian students are required to meet certain admission requirements like -

A first class UG degree with scores above 60%
English language proficiency
A strong SOP
CV
Really good references

Commonly asked questions
On Highlights

Q: Is the University of Manchester good for MA?

An MA from the University of Manchester can be considered a great choice for an Indian student. The reason being that this university of among the top in the world.

As per QS World Rankings, Manchester University ranks #35 in the year 2026. Indian students go to this university due to the following reasons -

A strong reputation
High employability
Diverse environment

Q: Do all MA courses at Manchester require a dissertation or final project?

Yes, almost all the PG-level courses at Manchester University would need Indian students to submit a final dissertation or project. This is the requirement as part of their 1-year curriculum structure.

This final project awards the students 60 credits out of the 180-credit degree. A well researched paper or a practical project needs to be submitted.

Q: Are MA courses at Manchester taught, research‑based, or a combination of both?

The MA programs offered by the University of Manchester are mostly taught based on these, which consist of lectures, seminars and coursework. Look at the pointers given below -

In the first semester, Indian students will be taught mostly and then the students will be required to submit a research heavy dissertation.
It is ideal for students who want a blend of intensive study and research experience.

Manchester University M.A.
Popular courses

Search for specializations in M.A.

Streams

Specialization

Course Level

Mode of Study

Showing 70 Courses

MA in Playwriting

1 year

1st year Tution Fees

₹37 L

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Exams Accepted

Shiksha Ranking

No. of Scholarship

MA in International Education

1 year

1st year Tution Fees

₹28 L

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Exams Accepted

Shiksha Ranking

No. of Scholarship

MA in International Political Economy (Standard)

1 year

1st year Tution Fees

₹26 L

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Exams Accepted

Shiksha Ranking

– / –

No. of Scholarship

1 year

1st year Tution Fees

₹28 L

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Exams Accepted

Shiksha Ranking

No. of Scholarship

MA in International Education (Globalisation and International Development)

1 year

1st year Tution Fees

₹28 L

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Exams Accepted

Shiksha Ranking

No. of Scholarship

1 year

1st year Tution Fees

₹26 L

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Exams Accepted

Shiksha Ranking

No. of Scholarship

MA in Human Rights - Political Science (Research Route)

1 year

1st year Tution Fees

₹26 L

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Exams Accepted

Shiksha Ranking

No. of Scholarship

MA in Human Rights - Political Science (Standard Route)

1 year

1st year Tution Fees

₹26 L

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Exams Accepted

Shiksha Ranking

No. of Scholarship

MA in International Political Economy (Research)

1 year

1st year Tution Fees

₹26 L

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Exams Accepted

Shiksha Ranking

– / –

No. of Scholarship

Manchester University M.A.
University of Manchester MA Tuition Fees 2026

Is it expensive to study MA at Manchester University? Yes, Indian students have to pay the University of Manchester tuition fee for its MA courses. This fee may range anywhere between INR 23.37 L and INR 41.33 L for the first year.

It is important to know that the fee for Indian students at the University of Manchester increases by 7% each year and the CAS deposit should also be taken into consideration.

Living in the UK can be costly so Indian students should consider other factors like accommodation, transportation, other expenses and more. The total cost after adding all of these factors can go as high as INR 57.93L.

Look at the table given below to understand the full University of Manchester MA Courses fee breakdown –

Fee components	Amount
MA in Sociology	INR 36 L
MA in Politics	INR 35 L
MA in Playwriting	INR 35 L
MA in International Relations (Standard)	INR 36 L
MA in Film Studies	INR 33 L

International students can look for the components given below for a full fee breakdown -

Fee components	Amount (for 1 - 2 years)
Tuition	INR 24.32 L - 43.01 L
Hostel	INR 10.28 L - 11.42 L
Insurance	INR 99.33 K
Transportation	INR 95.23 K - 4.13 L
Others	INR 51.97 K - 73.22 K
Total fee	INR 37.06 L - 60.28 L

These are estimated fees information. Actual values may differ.

University of Manchester MA Application Process 2026

The official admission portal of the University of Manchester can be used for MA admissions. Indian applicants should follow the admission process given below, take a look -

First, Indian students need to check the University of Manchester eligibility requirements.
Now, international students should start the application via the Manchester Postgraduate Admissions Portal.
The application can be completed via this portal after uploading all the docs.
At the end, the applicant should enroll by paying a deposit of GBP 2,500 (INR 3.07L). This will be used for applying for the visa to the UK.

Pro tip: The University of Manchester application fee is not required to be paid.

Compare M.A. at Manchester University with other similar colleges

College	1st Year Tuition Fees	Ranking
University of Manchester	INR 24.47 L - 43.27 L	#24 CUG, 2027
Loughborough University London Compare	INR 24.69 L - 33.13 L	#10 Guardian, 2025
Monroe University Compare	INR 18.04 L	-/-
Tennessee Technological University Compare	INR 22.76 L - 27.53 L	#257 US News, 2026
Arizona State University Compare	INR 20.09 L - 44.88 L	#172 QS, 2027

The values are of the latest years available with Shiksha. For more details, check detailed comparison

View comparisons

University of Manchester MA Admission Dates 2026

There is only one main intake offered at the University of Manchester for MA courses. This is the September/October intake. There is no specific closing date for many of its courses as there is a rolling admissions policy.

Indian students are advised to apply as early as possible for these Manchester University admissions.

University of Manchester MA Rankings 2026

As per Shiksha Popularity Rankings in 2026, the MA courses at Manchester University are ranked at #8. Also, these courses are ranked by some of the popular ranking bodies like QS, Times Higher Education and the Shanghai rankings.

QS ranks this university at rank #20 for its Sociology courses. As per THE, these rankings are #41 for its Arts & Humanities courses.

Given below is the table with the detailed University of Manchester MA rankings -

Ranked by	2024	2025	2026
QS - Sociology	16	20	20
THE (Times Higher Education) - Arts and Humanities	49	43	41
QS - Communication and Media Studies	51	51	51
QS - Politics	49	45	53
ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) - Political Sciences	48	51	– / –
ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) - Sociology	11	101	– / –

View Ranking Details

Manchester University M.A.
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Manchester University M.A.
Students Ratings & Reviews

4.1/5

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Student Views (Based on Reviews)

67% students never faced discrimination in this university

Vibe of Campus

Multi-dimensional

Friendly

Academically oriented

Sporty

Internships3.3

Part time work3.7

Post study jobs3.7

Quality of faculty5

Student Life4.7

Value for money3.3

Public transportation4.3

Safety4.7

Indian Food5

Permanent Immigration3

Anonymous

MSc in International Development: Environment Climate Change and Development - Batch of 2021

4.4

Studying abroad- University of Manchester journey.

Tips: Look, moving from India to Manchester was honestly just a massive jump—it was exciting, sure, but also way more overwhelming at first than I'd planned for. Between trying to survive the freezing weather and just figuring out a totally different uni system, those first few weeks were honestly just a bit of a blur. You really have to be ready to put yourself out there and just start looking for any volunteering or part-time gigs you can find to get some experience. Since I didn’t have any scholarships or anything like that to fall back on, I basically had to be proactive from day one. It’s a lot to take in, especially with the food and the social side of things being so different, but you just have to dive in and figure it out as you go. It’s just a lot.

Likes (Indian Food): I prefer cooking myself. I got all the ingredients options near by the University campus. It is very accessible and easy to shop for Indian groceries. There are many south Asian cafes, restaurants and shops in the campus near Curry mile Road. The pricing is okay.

Dislikes (Permanent Immigration): Look, with the way the rules for staying here just keep on changing all the time lately, you really have to stop and think about what you actually want before you even look at the long haul. Honestly, I’m not really leaning toward the UK for PR or anything anyway. Given my background and everything, I’m pretty sure I’d have a decent chance at getting it if I actually wanted to—it’s just not where my head is at right now. I guess you just have to figure out what really matters to you before jumping into any massive life decisions like that. It’s just a lot to weigh up.

Total Monthly ExpensePound 1325

Prepping time for classes20 hours/Week

Expected Annual SalaryPound

Reviewed on 18 Feb 2026Read more

Anonymous

MSc in International Development: Politics, Governance and Development Policy - Batch of 2025

3.8

Research and multidisciplinary focussed university

Tips: It gives immense opportunity for research and scope for development in the field but there are few opportunities for placement. There are scholarships available and it's good to apply for them but the housing is expensive, especially those offered by the university. It's a cultural shift in terms of freedom and autonomy offered to students and highly commendable for the research and courses they offer and the way they teach.

Likes (Quality of faculty): The professors here are incredible—they’re massive names in their fields, but they’re still completely down-to-earth and will genuinely go out of their way to help you out. The teaching is honestly top-tier. They don't just stand there lecturing at you—they give you real, brutal feedback to actually make you better. But honestly, the real trick here is just surviving the sheer volume of work. They dump the reading lists on you way ahead of time. If you don't skim through that stuff before class starts, you are going to be completely lost from minute one. Pre-reading is the only way to stay afloat, because then you can walk into office hours with specific, smart questions instead of just staring blankly at them. If you actually use those office hours right, the faculty will do whatever it takes to help you nail the material.

Dislikes (Post study jobs): Few companies offer post-study work visas, and very few are available in the domain. The university does not provide opportunities to interact with employers in the space. There are very few opportunities available in the UK to settle in this domain. The economy is not growing well, and this may not be the top choice for recruiters in this field specifically.

Total Monthly ExpensePound 1100

Prepping time for classes30 hours/Week

Expected Annual SalaryPound 28000

Reviewed on 28 Jun 2026Read more

Varuni

MA in Peace and Conflict Studies - Batch of 2027

4.0

Maintain your work life balance.

Tips: Studying here has increased my exposure and growth, and Manchester is a very multicultural place so you'll meet people from all around the world. The classes are intense but you can adjust the schedule accordingly. My program is more research oriented than I had imagined. People are friendly but reserved.

Dislikes (Permanent Immigration): Securing a job is increasingly difficult but I've observed individuals finding employment after months or even years of searching. Ensure your permit is valid and allows you to stay in the country post-graduation.

Total Monthly ExpensePound 1975

Prepping time for classes32 hours/Week

Expected Annual SalaryPound 96775

Reviewed on 31 Aug 2025Read more

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Manchester University M.A.
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Manchester University

Student Forum

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Is the University of Manchester still a good choice for Indian students despite the QS shift?

Answered 6 days ago

Yes. A move from 35th to joint 40th globally keeps Manchester well within the top 3% of the world's 1,500-plus ranked universities. Its subject-level strengths in business, engineering and research collaboration remain intact for Indian applicants.

Kanika Chatterjee

Contributor-Level 6

Why is Uni of Manchester a great catch for Indian students?

Answered 2 weeks ago

University of Manchester is a great option for Indian students.

· University of Manchester is ranked #10 in UK.

· It is rated 4.0 stars out of 5 by Indian students.

· All Manchester University Graduates are eligible for Post-study work for applications submitted before 31 Dec 2026.

Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

How can I get into Uni of Manchester from India for PG Courses?

Answered 2 weeks ago

The students interested in getting into University of Manchester for UG Courses can apply via UCAS Application Portal and for PG Courses through University of Manchester Postgraduate Application Portal.

· UG Degree (60%-75%)

· GMAT (if applicable)

· CV

· English Lang Test (IELTS:

Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

What is the most widely opted specializations in MS at Uni of Manchester?

Answered 2 weeks ago

The University of Manchester offers only a single course in Masters for a time period of 1 year to be completed within. The tuition fee of MS course is INR 33 L. There are other elements of fee like insurance, hostel and transport charges. The specialisation for MS course-

· MRes in Experimenta

Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Which University is better, Warwick or Manchester?

Answered 2 weeks ago

Both the University of Warwick and the University of Manchester are world-class Russell Group universities, but the better choice actually depends upon the academic field and lifestyle preferences of a student.

Look at the basis of comparison given below -

Warwick is actually more prestigious for Eco

Pallavi Garg

Contributor-Level 10

About the author

Loveleen Sharma

Study Abroad Expert

Loveleen Sharma is a B.Com graduate, working as a Study Abroad Expert with Shiksha Study Abroad. With nearly three years of ... Read Full Bio