Bridgewater House on Whitworth Street is where INTO Manchester has taught since 2008. The centre prepares students for UK degrees through NCUK programmes, so one foundation year can lead to any of more than 35 NCUK partner universities, the University of Manchester among them. It also runs an international year one and a master's preparation course. You don't need to pick a university before you arrive.
Manchester, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
Official website: intostudy.com
Independent pathway centre run by INTO
NCUK foundation, diploma and graduate diploma
2008
Bridgewater House, Whitworth Street
£15,000 – £20,000
International students, NCUK programmes, per year
£11,500 – £14,500
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on intostudy.com before you apply.
NCUK International Foundation Year (Business)
FoundationDuration
9 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.0, TOEFL: 50
NCUK International Foundation Year (Engineering)
FoundationDuration
9 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.0, TOEFL: 50
NCUK International Year One (Business)
DiplomaDuration
9 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.5, TOEFL: 60
NCUK Master's Preparation
Pre-MastersDuration
6 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.5, TOEFL: 60
One foundation year with a choice of 35+ NCUK universities.
A city-centre building near Oxford Road station.
Help choosing universities after you arrive.
Students progress to NCUK partners such as Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield if grades allow.
The year one diploma leads into second year of a partner degree.
Graduates of the final UK degree can use the two-year Graduate visa.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Whitworth Street runs along the Rochdale Canal, between Oxford Road and Piccadilly stations. Chinatown, the Northern Quarter and the Arndale are all within walking distance.
Manchester has one of the largest student populations in Europe, and rent is well below London's. Trams reach Salford Quays and the Etihad, and Piccadilly has trains to London in about two hours.
CAS from INTO Manchester
Proof of funds for fees and living costs
English test at B2 level or above
TB test certificate, if required
Immigration Health Surcharge payment
Valid passport with blank pages
INTO Manchester accepts applications throughout the year. Apply two to three months before the course starts, longer if you need a visa appointment in a busy season.
Most programmes start in September or January. The international year one mainly starts in September.
A UK Student visa, sponsored by INTO Manchester. Once you hold a CAS, apply online, show funds held for 28 days, and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. Most decisions come back within three weeks from outside the UK.
The business and engineering foundations and the master's preparation course draw the most students. Foundation entry needs completed secondary school and IELTS around 5.0; master's preparation needs a degree and IELTS 5.5.
INTO offers some scholarships and early-payment discounts on programme fees. Several NCUK universities also give awards to students who progress from an NCUK course.
