Graduate careers in Manchester
Career city: Manchester | Postgraduate study | Local graduate employers | Moving to Manchester | Browse graduate jobs Manchester and the north west
In terms of vibrant nightlife and diverse culture Manchester now rivals London as England’s most cosmopolitan city. Historically linked to the textile industry, it is now one of the main regional legal and financial centres. Corporate firms such as Deloitte have a strong presence and run graduate schemes in accounting and consulting. The Spinningfields business and retail district is also fast becoming the Canary Wharf of the north, populated by graduate recruiters such as RBS and HSBC.
Graduate opportunities in creative industries such as design and publishing also exist in Manchester, and with the BBC’s relocation to nearby Salford Quays, its media presence is set to grow.
Postgraduate study in and around Manchester
The ambitious University of Manchester aims to be one of the top 25 universities in the world by 2015 and have at least five Nobel laureates on the staff. Postgraduates will benefit from the £300m investment programme in teaching and research facilities. The university excels in a wide range of subjects, with performing arts, English, pharmacy, computer science and chemical engineering all making the top five.
Manchester Metropolitan University has a similarly high volume of applications, rating highly in teacher training, environmental science and art and design postgraduate research disciplines.
10 local graduate employers in Manchester
- Deloitte, Manchester (Accounting and finance; Business consulting)
- Rothschild, Manchester (Finance)
- Irwin Mitchell LLP, Manchester (Law)
- Kellogg’s, Manchester (Retail)
- AWA, Sale (Digital communications; PR; Advertising; Marketing)
- The Co-operative Group, Manchester (Management; Finance; Pharmacy)
- Accenture, Manchester (Management consulting)
- MEN Media, Manchester (Finance; Sales; Media)
- RBS Group, Manchester (Banking and finance)
- United Utilities, Warrington (Engineering; Logistics; Management)
(Note: these companies may not be currently recruiting. Their names have been provided as a guideline to the type of work available and what areas to look in.)
Moving to Manchester
It’s on the map for…
- Home of Manchester United FC
- UK’s largest gay population outside London, plus the huge Pride festival
- Exciting music scene – home of Northern Soul and bands like Oasis and Happy Mondays
It’s within commuting distance of…
- Sale – 7 miles
- Warrington – 20 miles
- Liverpool – 36 miles
Monthly lettings costs in Manchester…
- Single room: £228–£412
- Double room: £232–£396
- Bedsit: £260–£360
- One-bed flat: £400–£560
- Two-bed flat: £644–£784