Regeneration and integration are at the heart of the University of Salford. In the revitalised Salford Quays, the former technical college has brought new life to the Old Fire Station opposite its Peel Park campus. The once-derelict building has been transformed and now has its own micro-brewery (beer labels designed by a student) and in-house bakery. The café bar business is to be further integrated into academic and research programmes, providing students with a real-world learning environment. The tie-in reflects the industry-focused university, which prioritises building work experience placements and live briefs from working experts into degree courses to boost employability. Its efforts appear to be working — Salford has shot 27 places up our graduate prospects index to rank 54= based on more than three-quarters of graduates being in high-skilled jobs or postgraduate study 15 months after finishing their degree. Students are within striking distance of Manchester, which is home to top sport, culture, shopping, music and nightlife.

What is the University of Salford’s reputation? 

A 19-place rise in our main academic table brings Salford to 72nd place this year, buoyed by improved rates of student satisfaction as well as the supercharged graduate prospects. Salford also shifted up a level in the latest Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023), where it earned silver overall (up from bronze in the previous assessment) underpinned by silvers for the student experience and student outcomes. Students are increasingly on board too. In our analysis of the latest National Student Survey, Salford ranks 82= for teaching quality (up seven places) and 80= for the broad experience (a 23-place gain).

There was a strong performance by Salford in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) in which 78 per cent of its submissions were rated world-leading or internationally excellent. 

New resources include the university’s £16 million facility Energy House 2.0, which is made up of a pair of detached houses built inside a huge chamber. Scientists can simulate wind, rain and snow and a wide range of temperatures to establish the most effective ways to reduce carbon and control running costs in modern homes. The North of England Robotics Innovation Centre serves small to medium-sized enterprises that seek to develop and apply robotics and automation in their businesses. 

What degree courses have been discontinued and what new courses are available?

Closed from September 2024 are: comedy writing and performance; criminology with security; digital media; intelligence analysis; media technology; nutrition and exercise as medicine; politics; psychology with English language; and social policy. A degree in sports journalism launches in 2025.

What are the University of Salford’s entry requirements — and my chances of getting in?Courses demand from 64 to 128 Ucas tariff points. Contextual offers are up to two grades below the standard requirement. In 2023 more than 6,200 first-years were accepted on to courses, just under a fifth (19 per cent) through clearing.

What are the graduate prospects?

Helping to propel rates of graduate employment, Salford forges links with organisations including technical recruiter Morson, Peninsula Group professional services company, Barratt Developments, Northern Care Alliance and Health Education England.

What is the University of Salford campus like?

Of Salford’s three campuses, Peel Park is the main site. Teaching buildings are being added on  campus, where the Victorian redbrick Peel Building has been joined by the £55 million New Adelphi teaching centre for art, performance, and design and technology students, offering a theatre, acting and recording studios and art and design workshops. The £65 million Science, Engineering and Environment (SEE) Building, also at Peel Park is fully electric-powered (with 154 roof-mounted photovoltaic panels providing renewable energy) and features open spaces to promote collaborative working. Hands-on learning facilities include a wind tunnel and the Morson Maker Space for manufacturing and digital fabrication. The campus will soon house the Greater Manchester Institute of Technology, due to open in late 2025. It will specialise in construction, engineering, health and digital skills.

Courses in nursing, midwifery, psychology, social sciences, sports and health are based at the Frederick Road campus, where a new Clinic Building is in development to support healthcare trainees, ten minutes from Peel Park. A free bus service connects Frederick Road with the MediaCity campus at Salford Quays. The university is part of the wider Salford Crescent and University District master plan to redevelop the city and link the centre of Manchester with MediaCityUK, where it has a campus in the same development as the BBC and ITV.

Everything you need to know about the University of Salford’s student life and wellbeing support

Greater Manchester is a huge student hub in the north, home to about 100,000 students. The city offers something for everyone — from art to football. There is a swimming pool with sauna and spa, five fitness suites and a multi-use sports hall as well as a 3G pitch, which is the site of Salford’s British Universities and Colleges Sport (Bucs) football and rugby league fixtures.

Students can self-refer to the counselling and wellbeing service, which offers an initial triage appointment followed by services running from self-help, in-depth wellbeing sessions, workshops and therapeutic groups or counselling. Salford’s security team, students’ union and accommodation provider share training and best practice on suicide prevention. There is also Rafiki, a student-led peer support listening service, and a 24/7 student care line staffed by counsellors. 

What do the students say? 

"Salford stands out with its diverse student body and a culture that fosters a sense of belonging. Our supportive community goes the extra mile to ensure every student's journey is exceptional."
Simeon Anyalemechi, students’ union president and operations management master’s graduate

What about student accommodation at the University of Salford?

First-years are not guaranteed a room, but 1,300 are ringfenced for new undergraduates. About 75 per cent of students are able to live-in.

How diverse and inclusive is the University of Salford?

Breaking into the top 50, Salford is up 20 places in our social inclusion index ranking at 45th. Its proportion of students from non-selective state schools (96.8 per cent) is in the top 25, and the proportion of students from deprived areas represents 16 per cent of the intake, putting Salford in the top quarter of UK universities. Outreach work aims to raise aspirations among young people from low-participation neighbourhoods around Salford and Greater Manchester.

Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at the University of Salford

Financial support includes the Salford Inspire Fund of £150 a year for learning resources, plus an extra £350 for students from low-income backgrounds. Bursaries of £550 support estranged students, care leavers and student carers.