Categories > Other Services
The 5 Best Art Schools in Manchester for Creative Growth
Finding the right art class changes everything about how you develop as an artist. Beginners grabbing a brush for the first time and professionals building portfolios can both find incredible local options.
Manchester has an amazing mix of historic university programs and independent community studios ready to help you grow. We’ve spent time looking at these varied options to see what makes each place tick.
Here’s a look at the top spots to help you find the best art schools in Manchester that offer specialised equipment, expert guidance, and a highly supportive creative system!
| How much does art school cost in Manchester? The cost of an art school program in Manchester ranges from £9,250 per year for UK undergraduates to up to £22,500 for international postgraduate courses. |
| Student Status | Undergraduate Fees (Per Year) | Postgraduate Fees (Full Course) |
| UK / Home Students | £9,250 | £9,500 – £11,000 |
| International Students | £19,000 – £21,000 | £19,000 – £22,500 |
1. Manchester Metropolitan University – Manchester School of Art
Website: art.mmu.ac.uk
Address: Cavendish Street
Contact: +44 (0)161 247 1700 | [email protected]
Hours:
- Term Time: Monday-Thursday, 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM | Friday, 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM | Saturday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Vacation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Manchester School of Art combines the heritage of Britain’s second-oldest design school with the modern, RIBA award-winning Lowry Building. This blend creates an inspiring environment for cross-disciplinary collaboration.
You get a curriculum heavily influenced by specialist industry requirements to build career-ready skills immediately.
They blend cutting-edge digital technology right alongside traditional making methods. The £34 million investment in their workshops really shows in the specialised equipment available.
We walked through their open-plan spaces recently and saw firsthand how easy it is for printmakers to learn directly by observing the architecture students next door.
Just a heads up: you might feel a bit lost in the crowd sometimes, as the massive 3,700-student population occasionally makes it hard to secure one-on-one tutor time.
2. Seven Limes Pottery
Website: 7limes.co.uk
Address: 85 Northwestern Street
Contact: 0744 386 0612 | [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday, Thursday, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Tuesday, 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Wednesday, 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Saturday-Sunday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Seven Limes Pottery operates as Manchester’s very first community ceramics studio, putting a serious emphasis on mastering traditional wheel-throwing techniques.
You craft genuinely durable, functional ceramics here that can easily handle your dishwasher and microwave.
Their teaching methods come straight from master potters with over 25 years of experience. With them, you can even learn centering and proper form from scratch instead of relying on pre-made bisque.
They also run as a collaborative space for intermediate potters to transition into independent practice.
Keep in mind that securing a spot takes planning, as they enforce strict advance bookings and don’t allow spontaneous walk-ins.
Customer Reviews
Wonderful throwing taster session
Had a fab time at Seven Limes Pottery! We did a Throwing Taster session, which was a really great experience. The tutor Sam and his assistant Michael were friendly, welcoming and supported us step by step as we were complete beginners. Even before the workshop, Sam was really responsive on email which is also a big plus. We threw a pot each on the wheel and made and decorated our own plate using the paper resist technique. Really couldn’t recommend the experience enough.
- Ella Pollard | Google Reviews
Great experience with brilliant teacher
I had a wheel throwing taster session at seven limes with Jasmine- it was such a great experience, I really enjoyed the process and made 2 lovely bowls which im excited to collect after glazing and firing. Jasmine is a brilliant teacher who made the experience really enjoyable, I look forward to doing more pottery courses here in the future!
- J Turner | Google Reviews
3. Creative Art Courses
Website: creativeartcourses.org
Address: 516 The Gallery Studio, AWOL Studios, Hope Mill, 113 Pollard Street
Contact: 07816 791 023 | [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday, 10:00 AM – 8:30 PM
- Tuesday, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Wednesday, 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Thursday-Sunday, 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Creative Art Courses guarantees plenty of direct one-on-one attention by keeping every studio session capped at just 10 students.
Their tutor brings over 25 years of face-to-face teaching experience, using an experiential method that changes how you perceive form and physical space.
They focus heavily on absolute beginners and adults returning to art after a long break. Because they operate independently, they skip rigid national qualification checklists to focus entirely on your personal goals.
We took a weekend foundation class here and loved how they supplied all the charcoal and paper, so I didn’t have to buy expensive gear upfront.
Just be prepared for a bit of a workout if the Victorian lift breaks, which really happens occasionally, as the studio sits up five flights of stairs.
Customer Reviews
Supportive and inspiring life drawing class
A wonderful life drawing class with a really friendly and supportive atmosphere. I’ve been attending for a while now and it has played a big part in helping me develop my figure drawing skills. Brian, who runs the sessions, has been extremely encouraging and helpful throughout my journey, and he creates a welcoming environment where both beginners and experienced artists can learn and improve. The sessions are always enjoyable, relaxed and inspiring. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to explore or develop their life drawing.
- jignesh mistry | Google Reviews
Perfect kick start for artists
I booked onto the two-day weekend course and would highly recommend this to anyone who has been away from art for a while and needs a kick start, or even to those who have never tried anything at all before.
Brian has the perfect teaching style. Patient and thorough, he was able to support further with one-to-one chats in a creative and relaxed atmosphere. The studio was well stocked and organised to supply us with all the materials and equipment needed in a beautiful and charming setting at Hope Mill.
- Cristina Joy | Google Reviews
4. The Manchester College – City Campus
Website: tmc.ac.uk/
Address: 60 Great Ducie Street
Contact: 03333 222 444 | [email protected]
Hours:
- Building Times: Monday-Thursday, 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM | Friday, 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Reception Times: Monday-Thursday, 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM | Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
The Manchester College ranks as the number one further education college for student achievement in the region. They offer visual arts courses fully accredited by the University of the Arts London (UAL).
Their practising tutors continue to produce independent work across textiles, illustration, and fine art. They give students access to 80 industry-standard workshop studios tailored for specialised mediums like printmaking and 3D design.
Additionally, students even get to experience live exhibition briefs through prestigious partnerships with the Manchester Art Gallery.
Unfortunately, they only offer further education up to Level 3. You can’t complete a full undergraduate bachelor’s degree on this campus.
Customer Reviews
Brilliant support for performing arts
Amazing college i joined in 2023 as a student with adhd and dyslexia i was supported brilliantly and this college really brought my spark back, i studied musical theatre and the college is so so professional and has taught me very valuable skills and experience i have taken into drama school, i also achieved my top grade D*D*D* i cannot thank the college enough 🫶🏼🫶🏼
- Rubie Maria | Google Reviews
Excellent support for acting students
Such amazing support from all staff on the BTec Level 3 Performing Arts (Acting) two- year course. Guided our daughter so well and she’s about to undertake a three-year acting degree at a leading drama school. Highly recommend.
5. House Pottery
Website: house-pottery.london
Address: 56 Copperas Street
Contact: +442076639862
Hours: Available 24/7
House Pottery gives visitors direct, hands-on experience crafting functional ceramic items on professional-grade traditional throwing wheels. They cater entirely to total beginners, fostering a friendly environment where you can socialise while shaping clay.
Their expert teachers guide students step-by-step to ensure everyone leaves with a tangible, personal art piece to keep.
On top of that, this venue focuses heavily on making group learning engaging and fun. They host private corporate events too for up to 65 attendees in their central Northern Quarter studio.
One limitation is their strict age restriction, which excludes young children under eight from attending private parties.
Still, they provide a highly rewarding, tactile craft challenge for older kids and adults looking to explore authentic pottery techniques.
Customer Reviews
Highly recommended patient pottery classes
I highly recommend their pottery classes. The teacher is very patient, and during the sessions, they won’t interfere too much, allowing you to explore on your own. It’s also a great way to pass the time.
- Hayley | Google Reviews
Engaging and practical pottery experience
The pottery class was engaging and practical. I got hands-on experience with clay work and learned useful techniques. The instructor was patient and supportive, which made learning comfortable even as a beginner. I would recommend it to anyone interested in creative activities.
- arbind singh | Google Reviews
