How to Apply to Business at the University of Manchester: A-Level and IB Requirements for the Alliance MBS BSc Management, and Routes and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

Undergraduate business at The University of Manchester is taught by Alliance Manchester Business School (Alliance MBS). The main degree is the BSc Management, UCAS course code N201, institution code M20. Here is what you need to know for September 2027 entry, based on Manchester’s official information, for students at high schools in China (including A-level and IB students at international schools), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. The courses

• BSc Management (N201): three years with a common first year covering accounting, finance, management, work psychology, marketing, sociology and economics. You can then keep a broad management degree or choose a specialism that appears in your degree title:
  • Accounting and Finance;
  • Human Resources;
  • Innovation Strategy and Entrepreneurship;
  • International Business Economics;
  • Marketing.
• Final year: a dissertation, a live consultancy project with a client company, or a broad mix of course units. Selected units grant exemptions from professional exams.
• Placement version: BSc Management with Industrial/Professional Experience (UCAS code N203) takes four years, including a full-year work placement.
• Other Alliance MBS degrees (2027 entry, all AAA at A-level and 36 IB points with 6,6,6 at HL):
  • BSc International Management (N247): four years, with a full year at a partner school in Europe, the USA, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia or New Zealand;
  • BSc International Business, Finance and Economics (N1N3): three years;
  • BSc Accounting (N400): three years, with a higher GCSE Mathematics requirement (7/A);
  • other courses such as IT Management for Business and Fashion Management; see each course page.

2. Entry requirements: A-level, IB and GCSE

• A-level: typical offer AAA, normally made on three A-levels only. Because of demand, Manchester may prioritise applicants by the number of preferred subjects: Accounting, Business Studies, Economics, English Language/Literature, Geography, Government and Politics, Law, Mathematics/Further Mathematics, Politics, Psychology, Quantitative Methods, Sociology and Statistics.
• A*: Alliance MBS does not issue offers with A* as standard practice, but may take A* into account at confirmation for applicants who narrowly miss their offer.
• One sitting: in most cases three A-levels should be completed in one sitting. The combination of Mathematics, Further Mathematics and a native language is not accepted.
• IB: 36 points with 6, 6, 6 at Higher Level.
• GCSE/IGCSE: at least 6/B in English Language and Mathematics; BSc Accounting requires Mathematics at 7/A. English Literature does not replace English Language.
• AP: the business course pages do not list AP offers; AP applicants should email ugadmissions.ambs@manchester.ac.uk before applying.
• Selection: strong exam results are the main factor, alongside predicted and prior grades and evidence of interest and commitment in the personal statement. Applicants are not normally interviewed, except some with non-standard backgrounds such as mature applicants or those under 17.

3. Students at high schools in China

• Senior high school graduates: Manchester does not accept the Gaokao for direct entry and expects a recognised foundation programme first, because UK students usually complete one more year of school.
• Foundation routes recognised for business:
  • the INTO Manchester International Foundation Programme in Humanities and Social Sciences;
  • the NCUK International Foundation Year.
  Both require AAA with Mathematics as a subject module and an EAP score of A (A in writing and speaking, B in listening and reading). Ask the school about other foundation programmes.
• International school students: A-levels and the IB are accepted for direct Year 1 entry (see above).
• University students: Manchester’s China page says students with at least one year at a recognised Chinese university may be considered for direct entry to some first-year programmes; check with admissions first.

4. Students at Canadian high schools

• British Columbia: the Senior Secondary Graduation Diploma with at least five Bs in acceptable grade 12 courses is generally considered to meet UK entry requirements.
• Other provinces: Alberta and Saskatchewan require at least a 65% average in five grade 12 courses; Ontario requires the OSSD with an 80% average in six grade 12 U/M courses, studied in person.
• Business specifics: country pages are general guidance. Manchester does not state a math course requirement for Canadian applicants, so take grade 12 math and check with the business school before applying.

5. Transfer students

• No direct entry into Year 2 or 3: because of first-year assessment and study options, all Alliance MBS degrees start in Year 1 in September, and applicants must meet the entry criteria.
• Internal transfers: current Manchester students wanting to move into first year at Alliance MBS should email ugadmissions.ambs@manchester.ac.uk to check eligibility.
• Resits: requirements are not raised for a first resit but may be for later resits.

6. English requirements

• IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any component, GCSE/IGCSE English Language at 6/B, or an accepted equivalent.
• Applicants with English as a second language IGCSE may be asked for another qualification or a higher grade.
• Some test results are valid for two years and must be valid on the start date; summer pre-sessional courses can help if you fall short.

7. Tuition and scholarships

• Tuition (September 2027 entry, per year): £10,050 for home students; for international students £35,300 for BSc Management and BSc International Management, and £34,800 for BSc Accounting and BSc International Business, Finance and Economics.
• Additional costs: Manchester says students should normally be able to complete their programme without additional study costs beyond tuition.
• Global Futures Scholarships: for students from listed countries starting in September 2027. Undergraduate awards are £36,000 (£12,000 a year for three years, with a 60% average required in Years 2 and 3), deducted from tuition. Canada is eligible; mainland China is not on the list. Canadian students who apply by the UCAS deadline are sent a scholarship application form.

8. Timeline (September 2027 entry)

• 12 May 2026: start your UCAS application.
• 1 September 2026: UCAS applications can be submitted.
• 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time: equal consideration deadline; courses with places may accept applications until 30 June 2027.
• 31 August 2027: last date to meet offer conditions.
• Deferral: deferred entry is at the school’s discretion, normally one year and two years at most.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Senior high school students: complete INTO Manchester or NCUK foundation (AAA with Mathematics), then apply through UCAS
• International school students: AAA at A-level (ideally in preferred subjects) or 36 IB with HL 666; GCSE English and Mathematics at 6/B
• IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each component)
• Apply through UCAS by 13 January 2027 with a personal statement showing interest in business

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• BC: at least five Bs in acceptable grade 12 courses; take grade 12 math and confirm with the business school
• Apply by 13 January and go for the Global Futures Scholarship (£36,000 over three years)

Transfer students:

• No entry into Years 2 or 3; start in Year 1, and current Manchester students should email admissions about internal transfer

Sources: The University of Manchester, BSc Management (2027 entry); BSc Management with Industrial/Professional Experience; BSc International Management; BSc International Business, Finance and Economics; BSc Accounting; 2027 undergraduate course list; China (mainland) country information; Canada country information; How to apply; Global Futures Scholarships. Information is for September 2027 entry. Check Manchester for the latest details.