Exploring Manchester on a Student Budget
Author: Rosie Buckley (@rosiewithapen / contentncoffee.com)
Moving to a new city is an exciting and fresh new chapter, but being wise with your money and budgeting is key if you want to make the most out of your time in Manchester. Whether you want to discover hidden gems, have an affordable and fun experience, or simply want to explore the area, this article will help push you in the right direction.
Exploring the City For Cheap
Manchester has an extensive range of transport links, making it easy to navigate the city and get around. There are free bus services which operate around the city centre. For students studying at any college or the University of Greater Manchester, you can also buy student Bee Bus tickets. A System One Membership is also an option for full-time students between the ages of 16 and 26, which enables you to buy low-cost Greater Manchester travel tickets for buses, trams, and trains. If you use the train often, it’s worth getting yourself a 16-25 railcard, which costs £35 for one year or £80 for three years.
Experiences
Entry to Manchester Museum is free, and there’s plenty to discover, from unique collections to events and exhibits. There are also many other museums and galleries in Manchester that offer free entry, such as The Science and Industry Museum (although tickets still need to be booked in advance) and The Whitworth. If you’re looking for something a little more action-packed, then Lane 7 might be more up your street. They offer a variety of games, including bowling, ping pong, karaoke, darts, golf, and more. Studentbeans also offers student discount at Lane 7, so you can enjoy your evening while sticking to your budget. Whenever booking an experience like a trip to a bowling alley or an evening watching a film at the cinema, always check for student discount and student tickets.
Food and Drink Ideas
The Manchester Arndale Food Market is renowned for its diverse range of independent street food vendors. There’s something for everyone, so whether you fancy Indian street food, Italian food, or authentic Thai food, you’ll find what you’re looking for here. These vendors range in price, allowing you to consider your options and buy something that fits within your budget. The Corn Exchange Manchester is another place you can go for food and drink, full of popular restaurants, and many of these offer student discount and exciting offers. If you’re looking to eat and do some shopping too, then the Northern Quarter Makers Market is the perfect location for this. It takes place on the second Sunday of each month, is free to attend, and features amazing bakers, makers, and creators.
Budgeting Ideas
As well as choosing affordable places to go, keeping track of where your money is going will help you avoid financial stress.
- Using student discounts: Apps like UNiDAYS, Student Beans, and TOTUM offer student discounts across various sectors, including food, drink, travel, entertainment, beauty, and more.
- Categorise your spending on your banking app: Many banking apps allow you to do this, so you can see if you’re overspending in a certain area.
- Set weekly budgets: A week when all your bills come out will be more expensive than a week when you’ve got nothing on. Managing bills can be made easier if you plan ahead and create a budget for the week they’re due.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve chosen to move to Manchester for your studies, you’ve made a great decision! If you’re still deciding what to do next, then we can help you find what you’re looking for at 360 Apprenticeships. Based in Manchester, our team are dedicated to finding the perfect match between candidate, employer and training provider to make sure every applicant gets the most out of their apprenticeship. You can find out more about what we do on our website.
Author: Rosie Buckley (@rosiewithapen / contentncoffee.com)
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