Commuter student experience
Many of our students choose to live at home and travel to campus to study during their time at Manchester.
We know balancing study with your extracurricular responsibilities can be difficult, and we’re here to support you with any of the unique challenges you face as a commuter student. Find out more about the support available to you, opportunities to meet other commuter students, and information on where to study – including our purpose-built commuter student space.
Living at home
If you decide to live at home while you study, you’ll still have plenty of opportunities to get involved in student life.
The University and Students’ Union both run tailored support services for those living off-campus, including:
- Commuters Society
- Commuter cafes
- Commuter student spaces
- Transport buddy system
As a commuter student, you have access to all of the same support, opportunities and guidance as a student who lives on campus.
Visit our Student Support site to find out more.
Watch the video below to discover how commuter student Hanifah manages travelling to university.
Meeting people and making friends
Each September, we hold a range of events aimed at new students commuting to university from home.
You’ll be able to meet fellow commuter students, get familiar with campus and learn more about some of the support available while you study.
The Commuters Society runs day trips and networking events throughout the year, scheduled at times that accommodate diverse schedules. Come along to an early morning coffee meet-up or afternoon social session for the chance to get to know your fellow students.
On-campus study spaces
We are committed to connecting our communities and offering opportunities for new learning, whether that’s on campus, hybrid or online.
At the heart of this is our renovated Booth Street East building, which comes equipped with a range of spaces and facilities designed to boost your learning.
Find out more in the video below:
Booth Street East building offers our students the following:
Commuter Student Space
Open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, our Commuter Student Space on the fourth floor of Booth Street East offers dedicated facilities for you to study on campus. Here you’ll find:
- comfortable lounge seating for unwinding
- study pods and quiet zones for focused work
- kitchen facilities for meal prep and refreshments
- lockers and drying room for convenience
- multi-faith prayer spaces for reflection
- shower facility to freshen up
Hybrid learning
Booth Street East is a hyflex teaching space specifically designed to enable hybrid learning with moveable, flexible seating and tables, and numerous screens fitted with the latest audio-visual technology. The space is also equipped with video cameras and microphone arrays, allowing you to join in person on campus, or remotely online for maximum flexibility.
Innovative creation
VR pods, podcasting studios, editing facilities, a video studio and more are available to support your creative development.
Sustainability
Manchester’s first zero emissions building, Booth Street East is also the first non-residential campus building to be heated solely by air-source heat pumps to improve thermal performance and reduce emissions.
In addition to Booth Street East, we have study spaces available across campus, from the John Rylands Research Institute and Library in the city centre to the subject-specific student hubs in many of our buildings.
Find out more about our on-campus study spaces.