Salford, Greater Manchester • United Kingdom
A practical, industry-facing university on the edge of Manchester city centre — one of the North West's largest providers of nursing and health education, with September and January intakes.
Our take
Salford is the university we suggest when a student wants Manchester without central-Manchester prices. The main Peel Park campus is a short walk or one train stop from Manchester city centre, with a second base at MediaCityUK, so you get one of the UK's biggest student cities — and its large Pakistani, Indian, Nigerian and Arab communities — while paying Salford rents. Academically, the School of Health and Society is the anchor: it is one of the North West's largest providers of nursing and allied health education, alongside a well-regarded built environment portfolio, engineering, and business master's courses with a January start. Fees are mid-table at £16,000 to £22,140 for 2026/27, and automatic excellence scholarships take £2,500-£3,500 off for strong grades. Two honest caveats: the £5,500 deposit is higher than many comparable universities ask, and popular health master's courses such as MSc Nursing and MSc Public Health close months before intake — apply early rather than waiting on final results.
Founded 1896 (university status 1967).
Complete University Guide 2027
QS World University Rankings 2026
Fees & funding
| Undergraduate tuition | £16,000 – £22,140 / year |
| Postgraduate tuition | £16,000 – £22,140 / year |
| Deposit to secure your CAS | £5,500 |
Salford publishes one university-wide range for 2026/27: full-time international courses cost from £16,000 to £22,140 depending on the course. Most classroom-based degrees sit towards the lower end; lab, studio and clinical courses cost more — always check your course page. Taught master's courses fall within the same £16,000-£22,140 range for 2026/27. As a benchmark, MSc Nursing and MSc Public Health are each £17,520. Salford graduates receive a 20% loyalty discount on postgraduate fees. All self-funded international students pay a £5,500 deposit before the CAS is issued; it is deducted from your first-year tuition. Paying the remaining balance in full at or before registration earns a 3% prompt-payment discount, and 5- or 7-month instalment plans are available.
Fees last checked July 2026.
A limited number of awards for high-achieving international students. Terms are updated each cycle, so confirm the current criteria for your course and intake with the international office before you budget around it.
September 2026 starters with top grades — typically ABB at A-level or the equivalent from your country for undergraduates, and a first-class degree for postgraduates. No separate application: you are assessed when you apply, then must accept your offer and pay the deposit by the stated deadline.
September 2026 starters with good grades — typically BBC at A-level or equivalent for undergraduates, and at least a 2:2 degree for postgraduates. Assessed automatically at application; postgraduate research courses are excluded.
UK government award for outstanding master's applicants with leadership potential from countries including Pakistan, India and Nigeria; apply via chevening.org, not the university.
English language
Salford currently expects a formal English test from most international applicants. Salford's published exemptions are narrow: qualifications from majority English-speaking countries and a short list of named institutions (for example, certain Malaysian colleges, with a letter confirming teaching and assessment in English). For Pakistani, Indian and UAE qualifications an approved test is normally required. Nigerian applicants are the useful exception — WAEC or NECO English at grade C6 or above usually removes the need for a separate test at bachelor's and master's level.
Also accepted: PTE Academic 59 overall (minimum 59 in each skill), Oxford ELLT 6 (for courses asking IELTS 6.0), LanguageCert Academic SELT, WAEC/NECO English C6+ (Nigerian applicants, degree-level courses). Pre-sessional English courses are available if you fall short.
Intakes
September is the main intake across all four schools. The January intake (January 2027 in the current cycle) covers Salford Business School, most science and engineering master's courses, and a small number of nursing pathways — most health courses remain September-only. Popular health master's courses fill early: MSc Nursing and MSc Public Health closed for September 2026 well before the start date, so apply as early as possible.
Courses
Entry requirements
Salford publishes clear Pakistan requirements and has a recruitment advisor based in-country. Undergraduate entry typically needs HSSC at 75% or above (FA Humanities is not accepted); students below that can route through the International Foundation Year with HSSC or DAE at around 50-60%. For master's entry, a 4-year bachelor at 2.5/4.0 CGPA or 55% is the usual benchmark, a 3-year honours degree needs around 3.0/4.0 or 75%, and a 2-year bachelor plus 2-year master combination needs around 60%. Plan for IELTS 6.0 (5.5 per band) or PTE — an MOI letter will not normally replace a test.
Full guide for PakistanSalford sets Standard XII requirements by board: typically 70% for CBSE and CISCE, 60% for West Bengal, and 75% for other state boards (roughly BBC-ABB equivalent). For taught master's courses the benchmark is a three- or four-year bachelor degree at around 55% (or 5.8 CGPA); applicants slightly below may still be considered with relevant work experience. The university has regional representatives based in Mumbai, and strong grades qualify automatically for the Gold or Silver Excellence Scholarships.
Full guide for IndiaNigeria is one of Salford's better-served markets. WAEC or NECO English at grade C6 or above usually means no separate English test for bachelor's or master's study — a genuine cost saver. Master's entry typically needs a 4-year bachelor degree at second class lower (2:2) or above from a recognised Nigerian university; undergraduate applicants are considered with an OND, HND, recognised foundation or year one of a Nigerian degree. Salford has an in-country advisor and, given naira volatility, suggests the super priority visa service once your CAS is issued.
Full guide for NigeriaSalford does not publish a dedicated UAE requirements page, so treat this as a guide: students with A Levels, IB or strong CBSE grades from UAE schools are typically considered for direct undergraduate entry, while those with the UAE secondary school certificate usually route through the International Foundation Year first. For master's courses a recognised bachelor degree at a good standard (typically a 2:2 equivalent or above) is usually required. The January intake in business, engineering and construction suits Gulf-based professionals who miss September — ask us to pre-check your documents at /contact/.
Full guide for the UAEHealthcare professionals
If you already hold a nursing qualification, NMC registration (CBT + OSCE) may be faster and cheaper than a second degree — and leads straight to UK employment.
NMC route for nursesWe prepare healthcare applicants for OET as an alternative to IELTS — accepted by the NMC, GMC and GPhC, and often the easier test for clinical professionals.
OET preparationFAQ
Salford is ranked 66th of 130 in the Complete University Guide 2027 league table and sits in the 901-950 band of the QS World University Rankings 2026. Subject-level performance is often stronger than the headline — journalism and media (taught partly at MediaCityUK), nursing and the built environment are the areas it is best known for.
Full-time international courses starting in 2026/27 cost from £16,000 to £22,140 per year depending on the course and level. As a benchmark, MSc Nursing and MSc Public Health are each £17,520. Paying your fees in full at or before registration earns a 3% discount, and Salford graduates get 20% off postgraduate fees.
All self-funded international students pay a £5,500 deposit before the university issues a CAS — noticeably higher than the £2,000-£4,000 most comparable universities ask, so budget for it early. The deposit is deducted from your first-year tuition, and the balance can be paid in full or over 5 or 7 monthly instalments.
Not for most of our markets. Salford's exemptions are limited to qualifications from majority English-speaking countries and a short list of named institutions, so Pakistani, Indian and UAE applicants should plan for IELTS 6.0 (no band below 5.5), PTE Academic 59 or an equivalent test. Nigerian applicants are the exception: WAEC or NECO English at C6 or above usually removes the need for a test. Pre-sessional English is available if you fall slightly short.
Yes. The January intake covers all of Salford Business School's taught master's courses, most science and engineering programmes including data science and construction management, and a small number of nursing pathways. Arts and media courses and most health courses are September-only, and popular September courses can close months early — MSc Nursing and MSc Public Health both closed for September 2026 entry ahead of time.
The Global Gold Excellence Scholarship is worth £3,500 per year for undergraduates (£3,000 for postgraduates) and the Silver tier £3,000 per year (£2,500 for postgraduates) — both are assessed automatically when you apply, with no separate form. A limited-number Salford International Excellence Scholarship of up to £5,000 also runs, and Chevening covers full costs for outstanding master's candidates. Ask us at /contact/ to check which award your grades qualify for.
Yes — its School of Health and Society is one of the largest nursing and allied health providers in the North West, and nursing is a genuine institutional strength rather than a bolt-on. Be clear on one point though: the MSc Nursing (£17,520 for 2026/27) is a post-registration course for already-qualified nurses and does not itself lead to NMC registration. If you are an overseas nurse aiming to register and work in the UK, see our dedicated guide at /nurses/ before choosing a course.
You effectively get Manchester on a smaller budget. The Peel Park campus is a short walk or one train stop from Manchester city centre, so you have access to one of the UK's largest student cities — including well-established Pakistani, Indian, Nigerian and Arab communities, halal food and mosques — while paying lower rents than central Manchester. The university suggests budgeting a minimum of around £10,224 per year for living costs on top of tuition.
Fees, entry requirements, English-language policies and intake dates are correct to the best of our knowledge at the date shown, but universities review them every cycle and immigration rules change. Always treat figures as a guide — we confirm the exact, current requirements with the university before you apply.
Free consultation
Tell us your qualifications and target intake. A Global Pathways advisor will check your eligibility, maximise your scholarship chances and manage your application and Student visa — free.
Email us directly
info@globalpathways.co.ukResponse time
Within 1 working day