Life at Salford
When you join us, there'll be lots of new things for you to experience on campus or online, whether it be a social event, a job opportunity, support services to help you succeed at University and in your personal life, or coming across a new space or facility you’ve never seen before. Everything we do is about helping you succeed.
We've highlighted some key information below to help you settle in to life at Salford, and you'll find lots of useful videos and resources to help you navigate your first few weeks, on our new SmartStart platform, created especially for new starters.
City life
Located in the heart of Greater Manchester and just 2km from Manchester city centre, you have so much to experience and explore here. From Manchester's buzzing nightlife of the Northern Quarter to its incredible shopping scene, as well as the many parks and green spaces for you to enjoy. Find out more about life in the city.
Watch this video to explore city life in Salford and Manchester:
askUS and other support services
askUS is your one-stop shop for student support, engagement and success. But what does that mean? askUS helps you with lots of different things, from advice on managing your money and identifying bursaries you may be eligible for, to connecting with diversity support, looking after your wellbeing, exploring and practicing faith, and finding a job.
Coming to university is a big step for everyone, so askUS is here to help you navigate University and succeed in all areas of your life – not just your studies. You can find out more about the different services offered by the askUS team on the askUS website.
You can also find askUS online in the Student Hub (once you’re registered) or contact them to find out more or ask a question. Call on +44 (0)161 259 0023 or email askus@salford.ac.uk.
Some askUS services
Wellbeing and counselling - get advice from experienced counsellors and wellbeing advisors.
Diversity and inclusion - we make sure you have fair and equal access to your education and university life, no matter what your circumstances.
Student Voice - sit on the sidelines or help us make the ordinary extraordinary. You decide!
Faith - our Faith Centre on Peel Park Campus is open to students of all faiths.
Careers and Enterprise - access career support and advice on starting your own business.
Money matters - get advice on financial support and how to make your money go further.
Jobs
As a new student, you’re probably wondering where to start. Whether you’re looking for a part-time job or volunteering opportunities to do alongside your studies, thinking about a work placement as part of your course or planning ahead to after graduation, we're here to offer lots of help and support.
Sports Centre
Our on-campus Sports Centre has five fitness suite rooms, a 25 metre pool, dance studio, 30+ fitness classes a week, six court sports hall, two squash courts, health hub, floodlit 3G pitch and two grass pitches. Membership starts at £13 a month, or you can pay as you go.
Getting to campus
It’s a good idea to start planning your journey here if you’re commuting. We have great public transport links with lots of different options for you to use, including buses, trains, trams, bike paths and footpaths. Use the Transport for Greater Manchester route planner to help you.
Our main campus is just over a mile from Manchester’s city centre, which is only a five-minute journey by bus. Lots of buses come past our main campus and the Frederick Road campus, plus you can get free travel on the 50 and 51 buses in between MediaCity and our main campus.
We also have our own train station in between the main campus and Frederick Road campus – Salford Crescent – with links from Manchester and from further afield like Liverpool and Bolton.
If you fancy riding your bike, we have eleven cycle parks that you can access with your student ID card. These are secure facilities you can leave your bike all day. We’ve also got showers in the Sports Centre if you fancy freshening up before heading to classes.
For those who choose to drive, we have car parking at our main campus and at Frederick Road campuses. You may wish to buy a permit from our online store, which will save you money in the long run if you will frequently be driving to campus. However, if you’re able to catch public transport, cycle or walk, we encourage you to do so.
We've recently introduced two brand new common rooms in University House on Peel Park campus and in Allerton Building on the Frederick Road campus. The Common Rooms have been created with commuter students in mind: they feature chill-out spaces, areas suitable for solo and group study, lounge area with a TV, a kitchenette with microwaves, fridges and hot water, charging points, gender-neutral accessible toilets and lockers for commuter student use.
Food on campus
If you fancy a coffee, snack, main meal or treat while on campus, we offer a range of options to suit most tastes and cater for halal, gluten free, vegan and vegetarian diets.
There's something for everyone across all three campuses; from our vegan counter at the restaurant on Frederick Road campus, to Subway, Costa cafes and an outdoor street food trailer on Peel Park campus, as well as a Starbucks cafe at MediaCity.
To find out more about our many different outlets, including opening times, visit our Salfood page.
You can also download the Uni Food Hub app to preorder your food and drink and avoid any queues.
University of Salford Students' Union
The University of Salford Students' Union (USSU) is there to represent your academic interests and make sure every Salford student’s experience is the amazing, life changing experience it should be! A democratically run charity, independent of the university, run by students and working entirely for students.
USSU provides everything from an advice centre to sports clubs and societies, right through to amazing food, drink and incredible events in our on-campus social spot, Atmosphere.
Meeting new friends
We’ve partnered with Umii, a new app which connects students based on shared interests, course and society preferences, so it’s easy to get to know people even before you start.
Simply download the Umii app, set up your profile with your interests, add a quick bio and you are all set. Every day Umii will suggest 3-5 Salford students to connect with and before you know it, you’ll be making friends to meet when you get to campus!
Register with a GP
It is important for you to be registered with a GP and we have a local practice on Peel Park Campus. Once registered you can access the full range of health and wellbeing support - even if you are away from Salford.
Need childcare while you study?
You can book a visit to the on-site nursery and explore the different learning environments, observe the wonderful opportunities provided for children between the ages of 0-5 years and meet their dedicated team of educators.
Busy Bees at Salford offers high-quality care, in a fun and safe environment. For more information, visit the Busy Bees website, call +44 (0)161 295 0722 or email salford@busybees.com.
Staying safe on campus
Salford and Manchester, like any big cities, have some areas that are not as safe as others. We have a range of resources, including our SafeZone app, to ensure your safety while at University.
If you’re new to the area or are living away from home for the first time, we also have some top tips on how to keep yourself, your friends and your belongings safe.
Top security tips
- Avoid isolated places, especially at night. Be aware of your surroundings, stay with friends and try to stick to busy, well-lit routes.
- Look out for one another. If you’re going out, make sure you tell a friend where you’re going, who with and what time you expect to be back. When you’re out with friends make sure you keep track of how much you’ve had to drink, and never leave your drinks unattended.
- Try not to use cash machines late at night, and always have a quick look around you before using the machine to make sure no one is hanging around or watching you. Check cash machines for signs of interference before you use them.
- Avoid carrying large amounts of cash around with you.
- Mobile phones, laptops and other gadgets are attractive to thieves. Be careful about where you take them and how you use them. You can register your belongings on www.immobilise.com. This is a free UK property register, supported by police forces and used by them, insurers and the second-hand trade.
- Use the free campus bus service to travel safely around the University.
- Never get into a taxi on the street unless it is a black cab. Make sure you plan how to get home after a night out, try to stay with friends and only use private-hire cabs that you have booked by phone.
- Don’t accept lifts from strangers.
- Never let ‘tailgaters’ enter secured doors behind you and never leave your room unlocked when you leave it - even if it is only for a short period of time. Do not allow anyone in until you are sure who they are - anyone from the University, council, or gas and electric companies will be able to show you their ID.
- Trust your gut feelings and avoid people and situations that make you feel uncomfortable. Walk away if someone is being aggressive and if you still feel threatened make sure you tell someone, whether this is a bouncer on a night out, police, or our University Security Team. You can contact University Security at any time on +44 (0)161 295 3333.
Studying in Salford as an international student?
We've got some additional information that might be helpful, from our International Student Society to LEAP, our free course to help improve your English skills for academic use.
The University of Salford Students' Union (USSU) also organises events which involve fun activities such as trips to other cities, games or other social gatherings.