The University of Manchester is a member of the prestigious Russell Group and is one of the UK’s largest single-site universities with more than 44,000 students on campus – including more than 10,000 international students. The University is consistently ranked among the world’s elite institutions for graduate employability and world-class research across a diverse range of fields including cancer, advanced materials, global inequalities, energy and industrial biotechnology. According to the QS World University Rankings 2025, The University of Manchester is ranked 34th in the world, 7th in Europe and 6th in the UK.
The University of Manchester’s Middle East Centre at Dubai Knowledge Park opened in 2006 and is the largest and fastest-growing in the University’s international network, comprising five hubs in key business cities around the world, including Dubai, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Manchester. The Centre offers a dynamic portfolio of blended learning part-time Masters degrees for working professionals, including the University’s top ranked MBA programme, MSc Financial Management and MA Educational Leadership in Practice. The Centre has also recently launched a range of short business professional development courses for executives that are delivered in Manchester.
Since 2006, the Centre has supported over 3,400 Part-time MBA and specialist Masters’ students in the region and graduated more than 2,400 students. The Centre also works in regional collaborations with a range of industry groups, professional bodies and companies, and supports a regional alumni association with more than 5,500 members in countries across the region.
Economic growth area
Dubai and the region continue to be an area of dynamic economic growth, with solid business infrastructure, a healthy and developing business environment, areas of skills development that are supported by government, and businesses that are facing the challenges of maintaining economic growth through a period of economic change.
Dynamic and vibrant city
Dubai shares many similarities with Manchester; both are dynamic and vibrant cities that have transformed themselves to make a major impact on the world. Manchester was at the heart of the first industrial revolution and is still today a centre of research, innovation and learning; and Dubai is at the forefront of the new wave of 21st century, knowledge-based economies.
Executive educational facilities
The Middle East Centre, based in Block 2B at the knowledge hub, Dubai Knowledge Park, offers study, library and classroom facilities for students and visiting faculty from The University of Manchester in the UK, as well as office space for the regional team, which coordinates and supports all student activities, including highly interactive and intensive workshops conducted by visiting faculty. A recent expansion at the centre has also increased the range of facilities available for students.
Our students and alumni
We are delighted to have supported such a large number of talented MBA graduates from the Middle East region. Since our first class graduated in 2009, we have launched The University of Manchester Alumni Association Middle East to support our many alumni in the region through a very active programme of professional and social events and networking opportunities.
Our Vision
We will be recognised globally for the excellence of our people, research, learning, and innovation and for the benefits we bring to society and the environment.
Our Mission
The University of Manchester’s mission statement is, "The Creation of excellent learning and research environments for the University of Manchester through the delivery of effective and responsive building design and management of the project process "
Within the region, our mission is, "To be acknowledged as the preferred prominent provider and partner of Transnational education in our region and closely aligned with The University of Manchester's global strategic goals, building capacity and furthering economies and communities in our region to make a meaningful impact".