Graduate careers in Manchester

Photograph of Manchester by Mike Colvin

With a large and lively city centre, a thriving cultural scene and two Premiership football teams, Manchester is an incredibly desirable place to live both as a student and as a working adult. The BBC is even relocating a third of its offices to Manchester - further indication of how important the city is becoming as a business centre.

Manchester has excellent transport links, especially with the recently renovated Piccadilly train station located in the middle of town. There are regular trains that head all over the country and the journey to London now takes about two hours. Liverpool is half an hour away by car, as is the famous seaside resort of Blackpool. Manchester also has an international airport on the south side of the city with flights to a huge range of destinations.

The city itself is split into two parts: the studenty end and the more glamorous, commercial part. The city starts to become more student-focused around Oxford Street, with a plethora of funky bars and watering holes littering both sides of the road. Since the IRA bomb in 1996 caused massive damage to the city-centre, the redevelopment of the city has been never-ending, spurred on by the city's hosting of the Commonwealth Games in 2002. The northern quarter is a prime example of this regeneration. Providing the backdrop to the recent remake of 1960s classic Alfie, this once rundown area is now teeming with some of the coolest bars, delis and jazz lounges around.

In and around Manchester | Drink at... | Dance at... | Eat at... | Shop at... | The cost of living in Manchester | Getting work in the Manchester area

In and around Manchester

Manchester has always been famous for its successful music exports including Oasis and the Happy Mondays, hence regular music concerts are a major leisure activity. Bigger venues include the Manchester Evening News Arena and the Manchester Apollo but for a more intimate atmosphere try the Roadhouse or the Manchester Academy.

Theatres and arts galleries are also in abundance. Manchester's former stock exchange building is now the modern Royal Exchange Theatre and there are five more centrally located theatres to choose from, offering a range of dramas from around the world. The Cornerhouse is a major attraction for culture vultures and is positioned on the cusp of the student zone. Housing a couple of cinemas, art galleries and an acclaimed bar, it has something for everyone.

Football is another key attraction. Both Manchester United and Manchester City's grounds are well worth a visit. Old Trafford and the City of Manchester Stadium, which played host to the Commonwealth Games in 2002, are both steeped in history and make for a great day out.

Nightlife and shopping in Manchester is thriving with many different types of bars, clubs and retail outlets to choose from. Click the links above for a selection of the best.

Drink at...

  • Robiniskis: A student favourite. Dirt cheap drinks and with bags of atmosphere.
  • Kro2: A cool minimalist bar with a great wine cellar and range of beers.
  • Panacea: A cocktail lovers haven. The onyx bar and beautiful crowd makes this a treat of a night out.

Dance at...

  • Birdcage: The latest addition to the city's club scene will overwhelm you. Eye-popping cabaret shows and a popular student night on a Wednesday called Rehab make this cheesy joint a must.
  • 42nd Street: Located in the heart of the buzzing Gay Village there is never a dull moment in this camp club. The indie night on a Thursday is usually packed with students.
  • Sankeys: This classic Manchester haunt is most famous for its Tribal Sessions night every Friday. Favoured by the more hardcore clubber, there is a free disco bus laid on at weekends.

Eat at...

  • Trof: An upmarket greasy spoon in the heart of student-land, Fallowfield, which serves generous portions and is always packed.
  • The Grinch: Centrally located, this hidden gem has a daily happy hour during which the pizzas are only £5. The hoi sin duck pizza is a house speciality and there is live music every Saturday night.
  • Piccolinos: A slightly more expensive option but a truly wonderful Italian meal is guaranteed. Top tip: make sure you book in advance as it is always rammed.

Shop at...

  • Afflecks Palace: A totally unique shopping experience with over 50 indoor independent shops all under one roof, ranging from bead stands to artists' stalls.
  • Arndale Centre: Recently revamped, this once ugly building looks better than ever. All the favourite high street shops are to be found here, as well as some interesting cafes and art sellers.
  • Oldham Street: This is where the more vintage shops are located. The Pop Boutique is an old favourite and the Oxfam store is a treasure trove. The Vinyl Exchange is not an experience to be missed either.

The cost of living in Manchester

Fallowfield is the hub of student life and still a great place to live as a graduate. Prime locations are any road just off the central part of Wilmslow Road where Sainsbury's is situated. Three desirable roads are Egerton, Derby and Brook Road as these are situated right behind the heart of Fallowfield. Withington is another option for those who prefer a slightly quieter life and is just a bit further down the road.

Manchester is an expensive place to buy property but your money will go further in the north of England than in most areas in the south. Two-bedroom houses in Fallowfield are going for something in the region of £250,000 to £300,000.

On average, for a spacious well furnished property you should expect rent of between £80 and £90 a week. It is still possible to get something of a good standard for £60-£70 though. The prices in this area rise on average by £5 a week per year.

Many young professionals relocate to Didsbury but this area's a bit pricier so this is a move usually taken slightly later down the career path. Fallowfield has good bus links and it only takes 5-10 minutes to get to Didsbury and around 15-20 minutes to get into the city centre.

Here are some pointers for finding affordable accommodation in the Manchester area:

  • Opal Estates are recommended for their ease of use. They are also based on Wilmslow Road so know the area very well.
  • Manchester Student Housing is known for having lots of desirable properties on their books and a user-friendly website.
  • The Manchester Homefinder is published in association with Manchester City Council and is meant to be a trusted source of houses with good reputations.
  • The daily local paper, the Manchester Evening News, has a section dedicated to home searches in the city on its website.

Getting work in the Manchester area

Back in the day, Manchester was a town that specialised in mills and the cotton trade. Now it is a prominent business centre with a very broad range of jobs available so it is hard to pin down a single trade that recruits the largest amount of graduates. However, with the BBC's imminent relocation, media opportunities will be increasing considerably. There is also a large network of law firms and chambers across the city. Corporate firms like Deloitte have a strong presence and run graduate schemes for most sections of their businesses.

Most roles offered in London are also available in Manchester. These positions are often seen as more desirable because graduates face less competition and can be a 'big fish in a small pond' - plus, their money goes further in the north. Every year there is a graduate recruitment fair held in association with Manchester University. Connections Employment Agency Ltd is a well established local firm that provides a recommended advisory service and local newspapers such as the Manchester Evening News and the South Manchester Reporter provide excellent job advertisements both online and in print.

Here are some examples of companies who have advertised for graduates in the past. (Please note: these companies may not be currently recruiting. Their names have been provided as a guideline to the type of work available and areas to look in).

  • Manchester Evening News: (journalism, Manchester)
  • Deloitte: (accountancy and consultancy, Manchester)
  • PricewaterhouseCoopers: (banking, audit and accountancy, Manchester)
  • GRS Graduate Recruitment Service: (recruitment, Manchester)
  • Bell Pottinger North: (PR and marketing, Liverpool, 30 minute drive)
  • Halliwell Landau: (law, Manchester)
  • Kellogg's: (retail, Manchester)
  • Accenture: (management consultancy, Manchester)
  • Royal Bank of Scotland: (banking, Manchester)
  • AWA: (advertising, marketing and PR, Sale, 15 minute drive)

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