The University of Manchester Conferences and Venue

The University of Manchester Conferences and Venues provides a broad choice of bookable spaces for organisers planning conferences, meetings, training days, receptions, dinners, weddings, filming projects and residential events in Manchester. Its portfolio brings together modern conference facilities, historic university buildings, cultural venues and flexible meeting rooms across the Oxford Road and city-centre campuses.

The range includes small rooms for interviews, board meetings and workshops, as well as larger lecture theatres and conference facilities for national and international gatherings. University Place is designed for substantial conferences, with a 600-seat lecture theatre, numerous breakout rooms, exhibition space, hybrid event capability and on-site technical support. Other locations include the neo-Gothic Whitworth Building, Manchester Museum, the Whitworth Art Gallery, Core Technology Facility and Manchester Meeting Place.

Organisers can plan events for anything from a handful of delegates to audiences of up to 1,000 people. Depending on the venue, facilities may include built-in audio-visual equipment, presentation technology, Wi-Fi, exhibition areas, reception spaces, private dining rooms and technical assistance. The team also supports residential conferences and summer events, with access to university accommodation during the vacation period.

For social and celebratory occasions, the university offers distinctive settings for formal dinners, drinks receptions, civil wedding ceremonies and private functions. Whitworth Hall and other historic spaces provide an elegant backdrop, while Manchester Museum and the Whitworth Art Gallery offer memorable surroundings for receptions and cultural events. Catering is available through the university’s hospitality operation, with menus prepared for conferences, dinners and receptions.

Located close to Manchester city centre and within easy reach of Piccadilly railway station, the venues are convenient for delegates travelling from across the UK. The experienced conferences and venues team can advise on suitable spaces, layouts, hospitality, technical requirements and event logistics.