5 Interesting Museums in Manchester for Students to Visit

Manchester’s well established reputation as a city of music, sport, and industry will be known by students in the city and beyond. This heritage is important in defining life in the Northwest, and the impressive selection of museums in Manchester help to tell the story of their city in a fun and fascinating way.

In today’s article we’ll be taking you through five of the most interesting sites that we believe students in the city will love. You never stop learning, and in Manchester these places make statement that even truer.

National Football Museum: Exploring British Culture Through Sport

Even for those that aren’t devoted football fans, the National Football Museum is a temple to what the sport means to people in Manchester and beyond. The exhibitions showcase how the beautiful game has impacted people, power, and politics around the world, while also displaying some of the most impressive artefacts from football’s long history.

Inside, there are plenty of interactive zones that allow you to get up close and personal with various aspects of the sport. Perhaps the best activity is the penalty shootout challenge in which you can take a penalty against a virtual goalkeeper (Try and break the weekly record for bragging rights over your mates).

What You’ll Learn: 

• The history and social importance of football in the UK.
• How to take the perfect penalty.
• How the Jules Rimet trophy went missing after the 1966 World Cup

People’s History Museum: The Story of Rights and Representation

Manchester’s history as a home for political activists and revolutionaries is no secret. Emeline Pankhurst, the legendary suffragette was born in the city after all!

At the People’s History Museum you’ll explore how the involvement of people and the movements they represented have shaped how the UK is governed. The exhibits focus on themes such as suffrage, trade unionism, migration, and civil rights. This makes it a particularly important destination for anyone studying politics, history, or law.

What You’ll Learn: 

• How banners shaped protests in the UK.
• The stories of famous activists and reformists.
• Why politics matters in everyday life.

Science and Industry Museum: Innovation in Action

The North of England played a key role in the Industrial Revolution that turned the UK into a driving force of global innovation. In Manchester, this heritage is more evident than in many cities across the country.

At the Science and Industry Museum, this legacy is celebrated by connecting past creations to modern discoveries. The museum is located on the site of the world’s oldest surviving passenger railway station and includes an extensive collection of working machinery, early computers, and engineering marvels.

For anyone looking for an intriguing insight into how industrialism shaped the world we live in today, this is easily one of the best museums in Manchester to visit

What You’ll Learn: 

• The story of Stevenson’s Rocket, the world’s first steam powered passenger train.
• How innovation helped maintain the British Empire.
• Manchester’s role in the Industrial Revolution.

Manchester United Museum: A Story of Success, Heartache, and Fanaticism

Found in the heart of their Old Trafford home, the Manchester United Museum and stadium tour is another hive of footballing activity in the city.

Taking visitors on an immersive journey through the story of one of the world’s most famous football clubs. Far more than just a selection of trophies (although there are many), the exhibitions showcase the impact of the biggest moments in the ‘Red Devils’ existence.

From the story of the famous ‘Busby Babes’ to their unfortunate demise in the Munich Air Disaster, the museum provides a poignant reminder of what football means to the people of Manchester.

What You’ll Learn: 

• What made Manchester United the club they are today.
• How many trophies the club have actually won.
• Why promoting local talent is so important.

The Whitworth: Art Meets Architecture

Situated on the edge of Whitworth Park, The Whitworth Gallery offers a peaceful and intellectually stimulating escape from the city centre.

It’s wide ranging collections span historic fine art to contemporary pieces that challenge social norms, all housed within a beautifully renovated building that blends original architecture with modern design.

The gallery often collaborates with artists, academics, and local communities to produce exhibitions that challenge conventions and encourage deeper thinking. It’s a place to slow down, reflect, and engage with creative ideas.

What You’ll Learn: 

• How art can shape society.
• Alternative insights into contemporary issues.
• How the museum was renovated.

More to Learn

The superb selection of museums in Manchester help tell the story of this ever evolving Northern powerhouse, and passes the knowledge onto its student population. These spaces offer a destination for you to indulge in critical thinking, inspiration, and connection to your new home.

Read through our Manchester student living page to learn how to make the most of the city’s academic and cultural landscape.