Enquire to study in the UK 
Manchester is a city that has it all – a large, dynamic student community, excellent universities and an array of places to explore during the weekends.
Nestled within Greater Manchester lies the University of Salford. Ask any student there and they’ll describe their campus community as supportive, friendly and multicultural. “It’s a lovely choice for international students,” affirms Perle Esmail from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Her brother is a Salford graduate and had recommended his alma mater to her.
“You don’t really feel alone or feel that cultural shock because you’re surrounded by people from different backgrounds and you’ve got the relevant support,” says Esmail, who pursued the International Foundation Year before progressing to the BSc Business with Human Resource Management. “Whenever you feel like you don’t understand anything, there’s always someone there to help you.”
With a community that encompasses 23,000 students, 2,500 staff and 200,000 alumni, Salford continues to be much loved by its students, graduates and staff. Here’s why:
An ideal student city
Students at the University of Salford have unbeatable access to the Great Manchester area. Source: University of Salford
Salford is a campus-based university with unbeatable access to Greater Manchester. The city centre is located within a 20-minute walk and a 10-minute train ride from the university’s very own train station, Salford Crescent.
With such a huge student population, the city of Manchester caters to students at every corner. From street markets to quirky cafés all over the city, there’s always something new to see, taste or experience. Manchester is known for its vibrant cultural arts scene, international food choices and not to mention home to world famous sports teams.
The university’s location strikes the perfect balance between campus and city living. Whether you’re looking to be adventurous, to explore the buzzing nightlife of Manchester’s Northern Quarter, or simply enjoy a cosy afternoon with friends on campus, these are all at your fingertips when you choose the University of Salford.
A home away from home that’s filled with support
The University of Salford welcomes everyone from all walks of life. Home to a diverse, sociable and welcoming community of students from 180 countries worldwide, including 4,000 international students, this is a place where students feel like they belong.
“Whenever I’m on campus, I feel at home because of the diversity. There is a friendly atmosphere and everyone feels welcome, regardless of their background or ethnicity,” says Ololade Obaji, a BSc (Hons) Computer Science with International Foundation Year student.
The city may have much to offer but the Peel Park campus offers just as much. The Students’ Union has over 80 societies and sports clubs that cater to a wide range of interests including faith and culture, media and performance as well as sports like cricket and football.
Salford believes in providing an inclusive and respectful environment for students regardless of religious and cultural backgrounds. The Faith Centre at Salford offers chaplaincy services and is open to everyone. There is a chapel, a Muslim prayer hall, communal kitchens and social spaces. The centre also hosts regular events and activities for faith and non-faith groups to practice their faith or simply find friendship.
Thanks to the strong academic and student support services at Salford, international students can quickly find themselves a home away from home. From learning and visa issues to faith and overall wellbeing matters, the university’s dedicated teams are always ready to offer information and advice.
For international students who have yet to achieve the necessary qualifications to pursue an undergraduate degree here, they can apply to take the International Foundation Year (IFY) first. The programme sharpens one’s English skills to thrive at a UK university-level bachelor’s programme.
Maciej Slomczynski, a BA (Hons) Graphic Design With International Foundation Year graduate, described the English language support as “great.” “It helped me out a lot,” he says.
In fact, he received all sorts of support. Thanks to an introduction from a lecturer to one of the biggest design agencies in Manchester, he won a graphic design position there within a few days. “The support package they offered was fantastic,” he says. “All my questions were always promptly answered and there was always somebody who I could ask for advice.”
Later, Slomczynski would move to Hong Kong, where he landed a job working for Fox (now Disney) and National Geographic, before becoming Lead Art Director at South China Morning Post, one of the biggest news agencies there. “I managed to win a multitude of international awards for my work on different campaigns ranging from infographics, to animation and TV ads,” he says. “A few years later, I have landed in Kyoto to run my own design business.”
The International Foundation Year sharpens one’s English skills to thrive at a UK university-level bachelor’s programme. More language support is available for free via the LEAP (Learning English for Academic Purposes) Programme.
Strong career support
Career support services aim to help students be career-ready by the time they graduate. Source: University of Salford
The move from university to a career in a rapidly changing world isn’t easy — and Salford is fully aware of this. To provide a guiding hand, Career Support Services connects early with students and in many ways, from one-on-one counselling sessions and workshops to helping students find placements, part-time jobs, and volunteer opportunities.
A dedicated team for international students offers guidance on how to find work in the UK and a better understanding of workplace etiquette in the UK and beyond. It’s all free and available even after graduation.
“There’s a big emphasis on career services at Salford,” says student Esmail. “I attended workshops to help me with CV writing and employability skills, so that helped me a lot.”
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