Teaching and learning

Our innovative teaching methods and high-tech environment make for a transformative, inclusive and flexible learning experience that is uniquely Manchester.

We give you:

Teaching by real experts, underpinned by internationally significant research and strong links with industry. You’ll be taught by some of the brightest minds in the country, whose world-leading knowledge and passion will inspire you to reach your full potential.

Flexible, multidisciplinary courses that you can tailor to your interests and career ambitions. All our courses are divided into units, some of which are optional. The range of optional course units typically increases as you progress, often including units from other courses, or delivered by other parts of the University.

Courses that challenge your preconceptions and give you a greater understanding of what it means to be a responsible global citizen and provide the skills you need to develop into a responsible leader of tomorrow.

• The Manchester Leadership Programme could form part of your degree, blending community volunteering with a course unit that explores topics such as ethical leadership and social responsibility.
• The Manchester Global Challenge enables you to combine your studies with a year abroad.
• The Manchester Enterprise Challenge allows you to explore your entrepreneurial side.
• Our Ethical Grand Challenges provide an opportunity to learn more about sustainability, social justice and workplace ethics.
• The Stellify Award offers the chance to shine bright through a wealth of extracurricular and co-curricular activities.

Personalised learning that puts you at the heart of your academic experience. As well as practical facilities such as the Alan Gilbert Learning Commons, which is open 24/7 during term time, our virtual learning environment gives you study materials and activities online, as well as interactive sessions with staff and other students – so you can organise your studies to suit you.

Blended, flexible learning opportunities for greater flexibility and choice. Our commitment to blended and flexible learning is part of our University strategy to create increased student choice and flexible learning through combinations of face-to-face, online and blended learning. This is not online teaching, but about augmenting your in-person lectures, seminars, labs, Q&As, discussions, and workshops with high-quality online materials for self-study.

We have already introduced digital enhancements such as etextbooks and digital document annotations, and will deliver new modes of teaching to make learning accessible to all. The exact mix of learning styles will depend very much on what works for each subject of study, and we are continuing to shape our flexible learning approach in partnership with our students and our staff. Our Flexible Learning Programme will create the right conditions and support structures to allow us to explore new and exciting ways of teaching and learning.

The chance to satisfy your curiosity about the world via our University College for Interdisciplinary Learning courses, which allow you to broaden your horizons and introduce you to different disciplines. Drawing on the best teaching talent across the University, you can take courses that showcase Manchester’s latest research and challenge conventional thinking – exactly what university is all about.

An education that encourages independent critical thinking and analysis, assessing you not only on your academic knowledge, but also on skills that employers value, such as how to work as part of a team, deliver presentations and tackle problems creatively.

Courses that reflect the needs of industry and business, making sure you gain the skills and knowledge to enhance your employability and flourish in your chosen career.