Rankings and reputation

Manchester is a name that lends weight to your postgraduate degree, not only because of our rich heritage, but also our current rankings.

According to the 2024 Academic Ranking of World Universities, we are the 52nd best university in the world and the 6th best in the UK.

A reputation built on research

Our research focuses on some of the world's most difficult challenges, from poverty, cancer and sustainability to nuclear energy and applications of the wonder-material graphene.

We are recognised at a global level for the quality and volume of our pioneering research. The breadth of our research activity outstrips that of any other UK university and, in 2018/19, we attracted more than £391 million in external research funding.

In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), 93% of our research activity was recognised as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, confirming Manchester as one of the UK's top research institutions. We were also ranked eighth in Europe in the 2019 Reuters Top 100 Most Innovative Universities.

What our research credentials mean for you

You'll benefit greatly from our continuous investment in the best research facilities and a dynamic research culture that encourages innovative, cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Our programmes are led by distinguished researchers working at the forefront of their disciplines, ensuing that your qualification comes with a reputation that will open doors across the world.

Close industrial partnerships with organisations from many sectors inform our postgraduate research programmes, providing exceptional opportunities for research with commercial applications, as well as the chance to develop business and entrepreneurial skills and experience relevant to your future career.