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Key Highlights
- The University of Manchester has an overall acceptance rate of 60–70%, while international undergraduate acceptance rates remain much lower at around 9–10% in recent years.
- Application data from 2020 to 2024 shows a steady rise in applicant volume alongside a decline in acceptance rates, indicating increasing selectivity.
- Competitive courses such as Medicine, Computer Science, and Law require strong academics, well-crafted personal statements, and timely applications to improve admission chances.
The average Manchester University acceptance rate in 2026 is around 60 to 70%. This means that the university is mildly selective while giving admissions to students. The acceptance rate for international students is generally lower than this, with around 10 to 15%. Manchester University is ranked 7th in the UK, 11th in Europe, and 35th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026 with an impressive student-to-staff ratio of 13:1. So, understanding the acceptance rate of the University of Manchester helps you to analyse your chances of getting in.
In this article, we have mentioned the Manchester University acceptance rate, and you can read along to check what truly matters for your application success.
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About the University of Manchester
The University of Manchester stands as the largest single-site university in the UK and a proud member of the elite Russell Group. It is known for academic excellence, with over 10,000 international students from over 160 countries. The Manchester University admission for international students is quite competitive. Students are required to be academically excellent along with a good extracurricular profile to increase their chances of getting in.
The University of Manchester is highly recognised by official ranking bodies such as QS. It was ranked at 35th position globally under the category of world university rankings 2026 by QS. Also, US News has ranked the University of Manchester at 68th place globally for academic excellence. The university offers a wide range of courses for international students in STEM and non-STEM fields.
Also Read: University Acceptance Rates Dashboard: Country-wise Data
University of Manchester Acceptance Rate for International Students
The overall acceptance rate at the University of Manchester is approximately 60 to 70%, making it moderately competitive compared to other UK universities. This means that out of all the applications, just 60 to 65 applications per 100 are selected and given admission into the university. According to the College Board, the University of Manchester’s acceptance rate for undergraduate courses is 66%.
International students also need to consider that the acceptance rate at Manchester University in 2026 varies depending on the chosen course of study. Some courses, including Medicine, Computer Science, and Law, are quite competitive with a low acceptance rate at the University of Manchester. Moreover, the specialised and high-demand master’s courses are very competitive as well. Here, students need to be well prepared with an excellent academic profile, extracurricular activities, and profile documents.
University of Manchester Acceptance Rate Trends
The University of Manchester’s acceptance rate has been declining over the past five years. It means that there is rising competition and increased applicant volume. Between 2020 and 2024, the university witnessed a 15.7% rise in undergraduate applications, while the number of admitted students fell by 8.6%. As a direct result, the overall undergraduate acceptance rate dropped by 21.3%, signalling a shift toward more selective admissions.
Overall Undergraduate Acceptance Rate Trends in Previous Years
In the table below, we have mentioned the overall acceptance rate for undergraduate courses in the past 5 years:
| Year | Applications Received | Applicants Accepted | Overall Acceptance Rate |
| 2024 | 92,500 | 9,985 | 10.79% |
| 2023 | 93,450 | 9,630 | 10.30% |
| 2022 | 92,310 | 9,600 | 10.40% |
| 2021 | 88,330 | 11,070 | 12.53% |
| 2020 | 79,925 | 10,925 | 13.67% |
International Undergraduate Acceptance Rate Trends
Check the undergraduate acceptance rate at the University of Manchester for international students in the previous years.
| Year | Applications Received | UG Admitted | International Acceptance Rate |
| 2024 | 36,990 | 3,630 | 9.81% |
| 2023 | 35,240 | 3,340 | 9.48% |
| 2022 | 34,145 | 3,300 | 9.66% |
| 2021 | 31,960 | 3,455 | 10.81% |
| 2020 | 29,195 | 4,160 | 14.25% |
The University of Manchester has become even more selective for international students, especially at the undergraduate level. Good academics, a strong personal statement, and timely submissions matter more than ever before.
Also Read: RMIT University Acceptance Rate for International Students
Tips to Get into the University of Manchester for International Students
As the University of Manchester acceptance rate is quite low for international students, they must be prepared before applying to the university. So, here are some considerations for international students that can increase their chances of getting into the University of Manchester.
| Particulars | Details |
| Check Course-Specific Eligibility | Admission requirements vary by program. Always verify academic cut-offs, English language scores, and required documents on the official University of Manchester website. |
| Build a Strong Academic Profile | Grades are important, and high grades are even more so, especially in competitive subjects. Performance in key subjects helps strengthen an application. |
| Apply Within Deadlines | Failure to meet deadlines might restrict your opportunities. Applications submitted on time are thoroughly considered and indicate good intentions. |
| Plan Strategically for Competitive Courses | Some programs, including Computer Science, Engineering, and Business, are highly selective. Writing a good SOP or possessing relevant academic or practical experience can certainly help. |
FAQs
The University of Manchester does not provide country-wise acceptance rates, though Indians belong to the international category. According to recent UCAS trends, international students have an acceptance rate of 9 to 10% regarding undergraduate programs, and it is quite competitive.
For the 2026 admission intake, it is advisable to apply between September 2025 and January 2026 through the application platform, UCAS.
Within the Russell group, the University of Liverpool, Cardiff University, and Queen Mary University of London are some institutions that are relatively less selective in their admission processes because their acceptance rates are relatively higher than other institutions such as Imperial, Cambridge, and Oxford.
Harvard University is one of the most popular and selective universities. This university has continued to maintain its level of selectivity, with only 3-4% of applicants accepted into the university within recent cycles. This puts it among the most competitive universities globally, since less than 4 out of 100 applicants are accepted.
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The acceptance rate of the University of Manchester for international students is low, which is also consistently decreasing over the years. You need to be quite a competitive applicant to get admission here. If you need any help in the application process to the University of Manchester, you must visit Leverage Edu, which can support you throughout the process.
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