Staying safe at University
We’ve put together our top tips to help you feel safe in Manchester.
We understand that Manchester is a new area for many of you, and it’s normal to feel concerned about your safety when moving into a big city.
Often, most advice on staying safe includes things you’ll probably already do in your day-to-day life, but we’ve put together some top tips to help calm your fears.
You can also find more information on student safety at our student support site.
Top 11 safety tips
- Download the SafeZone app – our mobile app designed to give you peace of mind on campuses across the city or living in accommodation. Search ‘Safe Zone’ on Google Play or the App Store.
- Always lock your windows and doors when you leave your room and hall.
- Be aware of your surroundings and keep valuables hidden (or left at home if they’re not needed); check your student contents cover.
- Stick to well-lit streets and avoid shortcuts such as alleyways and car parks.
- Walk and travel in groups, especially at night. Arrange a place to meet if anyone gets lost.
- Use a licensed taxi that you can trust – if you don’t have money on you, StreetCars drivers can take your student card as temporary payment. Quote the Manchester SU safe taxi scheme when calling the taxi. You can go to the Students’ Union after 12pm the next day to pay your fare and retrieve your student card.
- When drinking, pace yourself and never leave your drink out of sight. Find more information on drug and alcohol awareness.
- The best way to ensure you aren’t harmed by drugs is to avoid using them. If you choose to use drugs, you need to stay safe and informed. Read through our harm reduction advice to find out how to access testing kits, dose more safely, and get help if something goes wrong.
- Don’t give anyone your ID or bank details, either in person, online or over the phone. You’ll likely receive phishing emails throughout the year and phone calls from people claiming to work for the University, ignore and report them.
- Seek support from an advisor or anonymously report if you or someone you know has experienced harassment, bullying, or discrimination or has a safeguarding concern; use our report and support system.
- Make sure you check in your guests and let your flatmates know you have visitors. Always report anyone or anything strange in your halls of residence to Campus Support and Security.
Sexual assault and consent
Our ResLife Team are committed to making sure you feel safe and have all the information you need on the University’s zero-tolerance policy towards sexual assault (Word, 601KB).
Support is available from the Advice and Response Team, which offers holistic, trauma-informed support to all students involved in an incident. All incidents that are formally reported will be investigated and may result in disciplinary action.
Everyone in our University community must have the opportunity to gain a healthy and positive understanding of consent. We want to empower staff and students to learn more about boundaries, consent and healthy relationships.