FAQs

At UCEN Manchester, you can study for a university-level qualification in a supportive, career-focused environment. Our courses combine academic study with opportunities to develop the practical skills, experience and professional networks needed for your future. Find out more about why you should choose UCEN Manchester.

We offer a range of higher education qualifications, including:

• Higher National Certificates – HNCs
• Higher National Diplomas – HNDs
• Certificates of Higher Education – CertHEs
• Foundation degrees
• Bachelor’s degrees
• Top-up degrees
• Postgraduate and professional qualifications
• Access to Higher Education courses.

The qualifications available will depend on your chosen subject. UCEN Manchester has its own degree awarding powers whilst other courses are validated by our partner universities, Sheffield Hallam and Manchester Metropolitan.

Explore our courses

A foundation year is an additional year at the beginning of a bachelor’s degree. It can help you prepare for degree-level study if you do not currently meet the standard entry requirements.

A foundation degree is a standalone higher education qualification, normally completed over two years of full-time study. After completing a foundation degree, you may choose to progress into employment or apply for a one-year top-up degree to achieve a full bachelor’s degree with honours.

Yes. Students join UCEN Manchester from a wide range of backgrounds and at different stages of their lives.

You do not need to be coming directly from school or college. We welcome applications from adults returning to education, people looking to change career and applicants with relevant professional or life experience.

Information for adult learners

Part-time study is available on selected courses. Check the individual course page for the available study options, timetable and application route.

Access, Foundation & Degree Courses

Yes. Our open events give you an opportunity to:

• explore our campuses and facilities
• speak to course tutors
• meet current students
• learn about student finance
• discover the support available through Future U
• ask questions about applying and student life.

Discover The Latest Events at UCEN Manchester

How you apply will depend on the course and whether you are studying full-time or part-time.

Applications for most full-time undergraduate courses are made through UCAS. Applications for many part-time, professional and Access to Higher Education courses are made directly to UCEN Manchester.

The course page will confirm the correct application route.

Find out how to apply

You will usually need to provide:

• your personal and contact details
• your previous and current qualifications
• your employment history, where relevant
• a personal statement
• a reference
• evidence of any additional entry requirements.

Some creative or performance-based courses may also require an audition, interview or portfolio.

We will review your application against the entry requirements for your chosen course.

Depending on the course, you may be invited to attend an interview, audition, portfolio review or applicant event. We will contact you to explain what you need to do and what to expect.

You may receive:

• an unconditional offer, meaning you have already met the entry requirements
• a conditional offer, meaning you need to meet certain conditions before your place can be confirmed
• an invitation to complete another stage of the application process, such as an interview or audition.

Your offer will explain any conditions and the action you need to take.

If you applied through UCAS, you should respond to your offer through your UCAS account.

If you applied directly to UCEN Manchester, follow the instructions included in your offer email.

Clearing provides another opportunity to apply for a higher education course where places remain available. You may be able to apply through Clearing if:

• you have not yet applied
• you did not receive any offers
• you declined your previous offers
• your results were different from those expected
• you have changed your mind about your original course or institution.

Apply for a Course at UCEN Manchester Through Clearing

We will contact you before your course begins with information about:

• completing enrolment
• your induction and welcome activities
• where and when to attend
• accessing your student account and online systems
• any documents you need to provide
• preparing for your course.

Please check your emails regularly, including your junk or spam folder.

Enrolment and Induction Details at UCEN Manchester

Welcome and Induction will help you become familiar with your course, campus and the support available.

Activities may include:

• meeting your tutors and other students
• course induction sessions
• campus and facilities tours
• introductions to the library and digital systems
• information about Future U support
• Students’ Union activities
• advice about studying successfully at higher education level.

Starting higher education is a significant transition, and it is normal to need advice or support while you settle in.

Your course team and the Future U Student Support Team can help with academic skills, disability and inclusion, mental health and wellbeing, money, careers and employability, and wider student life.

Support For Your Learning Experience

Students will normally have access to a personal tutor or another named member of the course team.

They can help you:

• review your progress
• understand academic feedback
• identify your strengths and development needs
• set academic and personal goals
• discuss concerns affecting your studies
• access specialist support where needed.

UCEN Manchester works with Manchester Student Homes to help students explore safe and suitable accommodation options.

Options may include private halls of residence, shared houses and privately rented apartments.

You should begin considering accommodation as early as possible, particularly if you are moving to Manchester from another area.

Find The Best Student Accommodation in Manchester

UCEN Manchester does not provide a nursery for childcare. However, if you're a full-time undergraduate student with dependent children, you may be able to receive a Childcare Grant from Student Finance England to help towards the cost of registered childcare of your choice.

Unlike a loan, this funding does not need to be repaid. Eligibility depends on your household income and personal circumstances. Find out if you're eligible and how to apply on the Student Finance England website.

Tuition fees are shown on the individual course page and within our Fees and Finance section. Fees can vary depending on the qualification, mode of study and year of entry.

Eligible students may be able to apply for financial support towards tuition fees and living costs.

The support available will depend on factors including:

• the course you are studying
• your previous study
• your residency status
• your household circumstances
• whether you study full-time or part-time.

Fees and Finance To Study at UCEN Manchester

Applications are normally made through the relevant student finance organisation for the country in which you ordinarily live.

Apply as early as possible. You do not need to wait until your place is unconditional before beginning your student finance application.

Apply online for student finance

Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for additional support such as:

• UCEN Manchester bursaries
• Disabled Students’ Allowance
• childcare support
• grants or allowances for students with dependants
• hardship or emergency support
• external scholarships or charitable funding.

Eligibility criteria apply.

Higher Education Fees and Finance at UCEN Manchester

Funding entitlement depends on your individual circumstances, the course and any previous higher education study.

You should check your entitlement with your student finance provider before enrolling or progressing to another qualification.

Our campuses provide specialist learning environments designed around the subjects taught at each location.

Depending on your course, facilities may include:

• performance and rehearsal spaces
• film, photography and sound facilities
• art and design studios
• construction and engineering workshops
• science and sports facilities
• computing suites
• libraries and study spaces
• cafés and social spaces.

Explore our campuses and facilities

Support is available to help you develop the skills needed for higher education.

This may include help with:

• academic writing
• research and referencing
• time management and organisation
• preparing for assessments
• understanding feedback
• presentations
• digital study skills
• confidence in learning.

Study Skills Support Information at UCEN Manchester

Our Disability and Inclusion Team supports students with disabilities, long-term health conditions, sensory impairments, neurodivergence and specific learning differences.

Support may include:

• discussing your individual needs
• reasonable adjustments
• a Personal Learning Plan
• support with Disabled Students’ Allowance
• liaison with your course team
• signposting to specialist assessments or services.

Contact us as early as possible so that appropriate support can be considered before your course begins.

Disability Support Available at UCEN Manchester

Future U provides a range of mental health and wellbeing support.

Depending on your needs, this may include:

• information and self-help resources
• wellbeing conversations
• short-term structured support
• counselling
• access to external specialist services
• support to remain engaged with your studies.

You do not need to wait until you are in crisis before asking for help.

Support Resources

Future U can provide information and guidance about:

• student finance
• bursaries
• budgeting
• financial hardship
• unexpected changes in circumstances
• external sources of financial support.

Please tell your Personal Tutor as soon as possible if a change in your health, finances, caring responsibilities, housing, employment or personal circumstances could affect your studies. Your course team and Future U can help you explore available support and the options for continuing your studies.

Speak to your Personal Tutor, course team or Future U before making a final decision.

We can help you understand:

• the support that may help you continue
• whether adjustments can be considered
• the process for taking a break from study
• the academic implications
• how your tuition fees and student finance may be affected
• the process for formally withdrawing.

Do not simply stop attending, as this could affect your academic record and student finance.

UCEN Manchester’s policies, procedures, terms and conditions, and student protection information are available in the Policies section of our website.

Policies belonging to our university and awarding partners are available separately.

Policies and Procedures at UCEN Manchester

Manchester offers a wide range of music, arts, culture, sport, food, entertainment and employment opportunities.

Our campuses provide access to the city while maintaining smaller, specialist learning communities.

Explore life in Manchester

You will have opportunities to meet other students through:

• Welcome and Induction
• your course
• Students’ Union activities
• clubs and societies
• student events
• volunteering
• student representation
• social and enrichment activities

UCEN Manchester Student Union Information

Students can help shape their course and the wider UCEN Manchester experience through:

• student representatives
• course-level meetings
• surveys
• focus groups
• Students’ Union activities
• student panels and consultations

Student Voice: Get Your Voice Heard at UCEN Manchester

Our events programme may include student showcases, performances, exhibitions, guest speakers, employer events, workshops and community activities.

Discover The Latest Events at UCEN Manchester

Careers and employability support is available from the beginning of your course and continues after you graduate.

We can help you:

• explore career options
• understand where your course could lead
• develop your CV and applications
• prepare for interviews and auditions
• find work experience and employment opportunities
• develop professional networks
• consider further study or self-employment
• make confident career decisions.

Careers Advice and Support at UCEN Manchester

Our courses are designed to help you develop subject knowledge alongside practical, professional and transferable skills.

Opportunities vary by course but may include:

• live briefs
• placements
• performances and productions
• employer projects
• industry speakers
• professional portfolios
• networking
• volunteering and work experience.

Check the individual course page for opportunities linked to your chosen subject.

Eligible students will receive information about graduation, including booking, guest tickets, academic dress and the ceremony arrangements.

Depending on your qualification, you may be able to progress to:

• the next level of your current course
• a top-up degree
• postgraduate study
• professional qualifications
• further specialist training.

Your course team and careers support can help you explore your options.

Graduates are encouraged to remain part of the UCEN Manchester community through our alumni network.

The network provides opportunities to stay connected, hear about events and support current and future students.

UCEN Manchester Alumni Overview

Yes. Your relationship with UCEN Manchester does not end at graduation.

Our careers and employability support can continue to help you as you move into employment, further study, self-employment or the next stage of your professional development.

You can support them by encouraging them to:

• attend an open event
• research their course carefully
• respond to application and enrolment emails
• apply for student finance early
• disclose any support needs
• consider accommodation and travel
• attend Welcome and Induction
• ask for help when they need it.

Students in higher education are normally treated as independent adults.

Data protection and confidentiality requirements mean we will not usually be able to share information about a student without their permission. There may be limited exceptions where there is a serious and immediate concern about their safety or the safety of others.

You can still contact us to share a concern, although we may not be able to confirm what action has been taken.

Students can access support through their course team and Future U.

Please encourage them to contact us directly so that we can understand their circumstances, discuss their options and connect them with the most appropriate support.

Support For Your Learning Experience

Still Have a Question?

Our teams are here to help.

Email our team or call on 03333 222 444.