In 2004 the newly constituted unified University of Manchester began a new era as the UK's largest campus, with 34,000 students and 9,000 staff, and a brief 'to build a truly world-class university that will continue to attract the best students, the most talented staff and significant research funds from around the world'. Ambition, innovation and progress, however, have been the hallmark of higher education in Manchester, as with the city of Manchester itself, for over a century and a half. This substantial, highly illustrated volume, produced with the assistance of Manchester historian Professor Brian Pullan, offers a fast-moving, fascinating panorama of university life in Manchester from its roots in the industrial Victorian era to its current position at the cutting edge of twenty-first century change and progress - not neglecting the daily minutiae of the student experience in different periods, contributed as memories and reminiscences by Manchester alumni of every period. As well as reminders of their own time at Manchester - whether a while ago or right now - everyone with experience of university education in Manchester will enjoy revisiting their experience as a part of a wider picture of progress and development that has brought the Manchester project its long-established reputation for excellence. The publication features over 100,000 words and 300 images.