Manchester boasts the highest graduate retention rate outside of London in the UK, and has five acclaimed academic institutions in the city. Renowned as an education powerhouse, Manchester’s strong student and graduate population contributes to the city’s economic success, and the construction progress.
Over 120,000 students a year descend on Manchester, and as these student numbers grow Manchester’s leading research and educational institutions are driving investment in the city centre.
John Cooper, real estate and infrastructure partner at Deloitte, said “Manchester has become an internationally-renowned city for science, technology and innovation, with its region’s universities welcoming thousands of students every year. With over two million sq ft of space delivered since the Corridor’s Spatial Strategy endorsement in 2017, the city’s innovation district is helping to drive world leading research and stimulate regional growth.”
Manchester’s Oxford Road corridor is the city’s hub for tech and education, with innovative site Sister, the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University all located in the city.
The latest Deloitte Manchester Regional Crane Survey revealed the 2026 construction pipeline in the city remains strong as the city centre’s population continues to grow. In 2026, 5,500 residential units are expected to complete, marking the second highest figure since the Manchester Crane Survey began, and a further 15,332 homes have planning permission, providing a significant pipeline.
