Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU)

Manchester Metropolitan University is one of the most prestigious universities in the UK. Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) has a state-owned property, which significantly increases the level of demand for university educational services among applicants. The beginning of the academic activities of the university dates back to 1970. The campus of an urban type university is located in the vicinity of the city of Manchester.

Independent, authoritative sources, secure for the Manchester Metropolitan University is now 64 positions among the most prestigious universities in the UK. And international recognition of Manchester Metropolitan University is based on the university’s entry into 5 percent of the world's best educational centers. As for employers, they are always ready to provide a highly paid position to a graduate with a diploma of MMU.

Kevin McDonnell

Specialist in International Students of the University of Sussex

What challenges might international students face at UK universities?

The usual challenges of adapting to a new country, culture, and teaching style are common. Homesickness and language barriers can also be issues.

However, UK universities strive to support international students. 

Some programs are available online, which simplifies access to education for foreign students. Numerous electronic resources, a convenient platform for studying specialized subjects, and a Personal Account for tracking individual academic achievements — online students receive the same high-quality services, curricula, and comprehensive support as full-time students.

The university includes specialized faculties:

• Arts and Humanities,
• Business and Law,
• Healthcare and Education,
• Natural Sciences and Engineering.

Each faculty manages subject departments and research institutes.

An important part of MMU is the International College, which hosts preparatory courses for foreign students.

All MMU research is focused on five world-transforming missions, each aimed at deepening understanding of the pressing issues facing our planet and global society. The five research missions contribute to a better understanding of the world around us, expand knowledge and provide new insights by working with policymakers, industry, business and society as a whole:

• Combating inequality,
• Championing creative excellence,
• Sustainable development,
• Transforming health,
• Driving economic growth.

The impact of the university's scientific specialists’ discoveries is invaluable — some of the projects to date have a fundamental impact on the field:

• Research in swimming biomechanics contributes to increasing the success of British swimmers, helps transform the World Para Swimming classification system,
• Working collaboratively with sports organizations, identifying safety issues in sport, MMU researchers improve protective equipment through the study of materials, designs, testing procedures,
• The research team is looking for new approaches to nature conservation, focusing on human actions leading to environmental change and the use of new technologies,
• With 20 years of accumulated experience, specialists in bone and muscle science develop policies, treatments, approaches to help people stay healthy in old age,
• Research in cybersecurity helps protect network computer systems, programs, devices around the world from cyberattacks.

MMU and its partners offer students 17 residences with varying levels of comfort, located near the university campus and equipped with everything necessary: high-speed WiFi, utilities included in the accommodation cost, property insurance, common areas and much more. The comfort of the rooms varies in bedroom size and the availability of a private bathroom, while each bedroom is furnished with a large bed, wardrobe for storage, and a study area. Most residences have shared areas: kitchens and dining halls, living rooms with board games and TVs, gyms, laundry facilities, and self-study classes. Employees live in the residential buildings along with students, providing 24/7 assistance when needed.

Since residents have access to shared kitchens, meals are organized on a self-service basis. Cafeterias, restaurants and bars offering dishes from different cultures and nationalities can be found on campus, next to the residential buildings.

Student life is always bustling on the MMU campus: students organize various events, participate in thematic communities, musical groups, sports sections and volunteering. The extensive variety of areas provides not only talent development and potential realization but also friendships between like-minded people. More than 137 thematic societies are represented in such fields as:

• Academic,
• Agitation,
• Religion,
• Hobbies, interests,
• Media, performance,
• Nationality, culture,
• Political perspectives.

Some of the popular clubs:

• Theatre, drama society,
• African-Caribbean society,
• Anime,
• British, Chinese Students Association,
• Astronomy society,
• Book club,
• British Sign Language,
• Christian Union,
• Comics, magazines,
• Creative writing,
• Crochet, knitting,
• Data science, artificial intelligence,
• Debate,
• Darts,
• Esports.

Volunteering is one of the most important areas for personal development in extracurricular life. Students can help the local community by organizing charity events, working in social organizations or at sports events in the city. Volunteering can bring excellent results to a student's resume, which will help them in their future career and admission to university.

Thanks to modern sports infrastructure, students have the opportunity to achieve professional success in one of dozens of sports represented on campus. Sections are led by experienced teachers, almost all of whom have personal achievements. Some of the popular sports areas:

• Archery,
• Aikido,
• American football,
• Cheerleading,
• Cricket,
• Badminton,
• Basketball,
• Tennis,
• Volleyball,
• Equestrian sport,
• Football,
• Swimming,
• Water polo,
• Table tennis,
• Rugby.

Team teams, including the most successful student athletes, regularly participate in interuniversity, city and national competitions, which allows them to win prizes and earn large scholarships.

MMU's creative groups are music, theatre, fine arts, design, radio and much more. Students can realize their potential as a decorator, presenter, journalist, photographer or choir artist by attending specialized classes under the guidance of specialists. Almost all events held on campus cannot do without the help of creative students.

• The Queen's Anniversary Prize in 2019 for contribution to the development of a multitude of languages spoken by international students,
• Research is assessed as world-leading, excellent at an international level by REF 2021,
• Gold status in the TEF scheme, making MMU an outstanding university for student support,
• One of the leading sustainable universities in the UK according to People & Planet ranking,
• More than 200 years of history and tradition,
• Multinational student body — around 5000 international students from 120 countries,
• Cooperation with higher education institutions in Europe, Asia, Africa,
• Comprehensive support: from the application process to job search.

The Manchester Metropolitan University has a rather large size. It trains about 28,000 students in various faculties. Acceptance of documents is carried out and foreign nationals. Moreover, 15% of all students are foreigners. The teaching staff consists of 1,600 teachers. Part of the teachers invited to work from the world's leading universities. Each university faculty is known for an international student exchange program, in which anyone can participate during the entire period of study. Details of student life and the educational process can be found in social networks.

The student of MMU can get additional knowledge using the modern library of the university. Students in need of housing are provided with an excellent hostel on campus.

Adds prestige to the university of multi-year membership in associations such as EUA, UK and ASSOCIATION OF COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITIES.

There are two semesters in the academic year:

• Autumn: September-January,
• Spring: January-July.

Academic classes are held on weekdays, and rest is provided on weekends, international and national holidays, and during vacations. Some campus facilities are also available on non-working days, allowing students to devote time to self-study and their interests. At the end of each semester and at the end of the year, students take profile tests and pass exams to move to the next course.

Approximate list of additional expenses:

• Registration fee, deposits,
• Accommodation, meals,
• Some extracurricular activities,
• Additional academic opportunities not included in the curriculum,
• External exams,
• Individual learning materials,
• Personal expenses.

The admission procedure consists of several stages, some of which can be completed remotely:

• Submission of an application and provision of the required documents,
• Payment of the registration fee for submitting the application,
• Passing an interview and entrance tests,
• Receiving an official acceptance letter,
• Making deposits to reserve a place on the program, in residence, as well as part of the tuition fee,
• Arrival at campus for check-in to residence, attending introductory events, and starting classes.

Every year, MMU completes the education of dozens of specialists in various fields who either continue their academic path or find employment. University graduates achieve incredible success — among the famous personalities:

• John Bishop — comedian, actor,
• Sarah Burton — creative director of Givenchy,
• Steve Coogan — actor, comedian and writer, nominated for the Oscar and BAFTA awards,
• Carl Ennis — CEO of Siemens in Great Britain, Ireland,
• Julie Walters — actress known for her roles in "Harry Potter", "Paddington".

The admission committee, considering the applicant's documents, first of all, evaluates the results of his academic performance at the previous place of study. On the basis of this criterion, enrollment takes place. Traditional English higher education divides the academic year into two semesters.

The cost of educational services cannot be called cheap. Those students who do not want to study full-time can study disciplines using the method of distance education. The exact information about the cost of educational services at a particular faculty or the admission procedure is posted on the official website of the educational institution.

The university offers international scholarships for foreign students: they are awarded to students who have achieved particularly high results in their studies and cover part of the program cost.

Students also have access to state funding programs: grants, loans, credits, and foundation scholarships.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision