About University of Manchester

Founded in 1824, the Manchester Mechanics’ Institution began as part of a national movement to educate working men. Under John Henry Reynolds, it became the Manchester Technical School in 1883, aligning education with industrial needs. After several transformations, it evolved into the College of Technology, which in 1905 became the Faculty of Technology of the Victoria University of Manchester, and later, after World War II, was renamed UMIST (University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology).

Meanwhile, the Victoria University of Manchester originated from Owens College, founded in 1846 through the bequest of John Owens. The college expanded its mission in the 1860s to include research, moved into the John Owens Building (1873), and became part of the Victoria University in 1880—England’s first civic university.

Throughout the 20th century, UMIST and the University of Manchester collaborated closely in science and humanities before officially merging in 2004 to form The University of Manchester, now the UK’s largest single-site university….