Study in the North West

The North West has over 200,000 students, the largest number anywhere outside of London and the South East. With Liverpool and Manchester being home to respectively, The Beatles and Oasis, two of the most famous bands in the world, these are a duo of dynamic yet diverse cityscapes each offering a completely unique experience.

With Liverpool still on a high from its stint as European Capital of Culture, now is a very exciting time to study in Liverpool, as this city is shaping history in the North for the 21st century. Having undergone a renaissance of urban regeneration, positive change and architectural and cultural achievement throughout the 90's, the city’s resilience, ability to show positive, forward thinking and steely determination make it the special, unique and thriving city that it is today.

Manchester is the original party city. It is also a hub of cultural activity, with world-class live events, international sporting competitions and award-winning museums and galleries; Manchester’s cultural scene is hard to beat. Home to the most famous football team in the world- 'Manchester United', and its status as rock capital of the world, this is truly a world class city. It also worth mentioning Manchester's thriving Lesbian and Gay scene. There is a huge range of stylish gay and lesbian bars and clubs in the Gay Village.

Manchester is fast overtaking London as the Media capital of the UK. It’s home to Granada TV studios, where the worlds longest running soap 'Coronation Street' is filmed, and with the BBC relocating to Greater Manchester London, there is a wealth of job opportunities for graduates in the media industries.  

With living and travel costs amongst the lowest in the country, why not 'Let It Be' Liverpool or Manchester that you choose to study in!

City Stats

Liverpool
Granted city status in 1880
Population of 435,500,
Bands from Liverpool include The Beatles, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, The Lightning Seeds, Elvis Costello, The Searchers, The Zutons
Football Teams-Liverpool FC, Everton FC
Famous films from Liverpool-Letter to Brezhnev (starring Alfred Molina), Revengers Tragedy (starring Christopher Ecclestone, Eddie Izzard and Derek Jacobi), The 51st State(starring Samuel L Jackson), A Hard Days Night (starring The Beatles)

Manchester
Granted city status in 1853
Population of 436, 100 
Bands from Manchester include-Oasis, Take That, Morrisey, Happy Mondays, The Verve, Joy Division, Buzzcocks,
Football Teams: Manchester United, Manchester City.
Famous Films from Manchester: A Taste of Honey (film version of the famous play), Hobsons Choice (award winning film starring Prunella Scales in one of her first roles) East is East (another award winning film starring Om Puri), 24 Hour Party People (Starring Steve Coogan and Paddy Considine)

A little bit of history

When Britain was the world's maritime superpower, Liverpool was at the helm. The city was an enormously important mercantile centre, particularly well placed for trade with the New World. By the early 19th century, 40% of the world's trade passed through Liverpool's docks, contributing to Liverpool's rise as a major city. Tragically however, Liverpool had close links with the Atlantic Slave Trade and now invests substantial time and money into educating people of the wrongs of the slave trade and promoting diversity and integration. Black History Month is a major part of Liverpool's cultural calendar. Liverpool's status as a port city has contributed to its diverse population, which draws from a wide range of peoples, cultures, and religions.

Manchester was the world's first industrialised city and played a pivotal role during the Industrial Revolution. It was the primary international centre of cotton spinning and textile manufacture. During the 19th century it acquired the nickname 'Cottonopolis', a play on words of it being a metropolis of cotton mills. In fact, we at Smaart have our northern office based in a converted mill in the Ancoats district of Manchester.
Manchester was credited as the main regional driving force behind indie bands of the 1980s including Happy Mondays, The Charlatans, Inspiral Carpets, James, and The Stone Roses. These groups came from what became known as the "Madchester" scene that also centred around what is widely recognised as the world’s most famous nightclub- the 'Hacienda'.

Culture Highlights 2009

Liverpool

Fashion v Sport
Exhibition exploring the creative and fluid relationship between the two worlds of contemporary fashion and sportswear.
Walker Art Gallery, Free Entry, Until 31st May 2009

Hub 2009
Britain's biggest free urban festival, activities include skate parks, BMX demos, live music and graffiti art by a range of international performer.
Wellington Dock, Free Entry, 23 - 24 May 2009

Molière's The Hypochondriac
Liverpool's Poet Laureate, Roger McGough, dips his magic quill again by adapting another classic Moliere comedy - The Hypochondriac. Moliere's last play is a scathingly funny lampoon on both hypochondria and the 'quack' medical profession.
Liverpool Playhouse, from £9. 19th June - 11th July 2009

Shirley Valentine
As part of the Liverpool Comedy Festival 2009, Willy Russell's multi-award-winning comedy, starring Pauline Daniels as the eponymous heroine.
Royal Court, Liverpool from £10 23rd April - 9th May 2009

Manchester

It Felt Like a Kiss
As part of the Manchester International Festival, the extraordinary theatre company Punchdrunk produce alongside Blurs Damon Albarn, a site specific piece of theatre telling the story of America’s rise to power in the golden age of pop. This comes highly recommended by the Get Smaart team and early booking is advisable. Hardman Square, Spinningfields as part of the MIF. From £10 2 – 19 July 2009

Anthony and The Johnsons
A genuine one-of-a-kind performer, Antony Hegarty shot to fame in 2005, when
I Am a Bird Now beat a host of big names to win the prestigious Mercury Music Prize. He is playing 2 nights in Manchester’s Opera House  and will be joined by the 36-piece Manchester Camerata. 
Manchester Opera House, From £15 3-4 April 2009

Same Teens Festival
Same Teens was founded by a group of Mancunian kids who were fed up with not being allowed into local gigs and so decided to promote their own. In the space of two years, they’ve worked with big names such as Foals and Black Kids. This year, the gig is headlined by the Mystery Jets, with an array of support bands and DJ sets solely for 14-19 year olds.
Pavilion Theatre, £5, Fri 3 & Sat 4 July 2009

Flailing Trees
Artist Gustav Metzger will be challenging your sense of security regarding taking your surroundings for granted with Flailing Trees, an arresting and poignant new piece of public art that will stand in the Manchester Peace Garden for the duration of the Festival.
Manchester Peace Garden, Free Entry, Fri 3 - Sun 19 July 2009