Film and media school trips to Manchester
As one of the UK’s creative capitals, Manchester offers film and media students the chance to experience both live performance and screen production. At The Lowry in MediaCity – home to some of the world’s leading media companies – students can explore one of the region’s most significant arts venues, showcasing theatre, dance, and visual art. The Royal Exchange Theatre, with its striking in-the-round design, provides another opportunity to discover the city’s distinctive performance spaces, while Manchester’s vibrant theatre scene also brings in touring West End musicals and contemporary productions.
For television enthusiasts, the Coronation Street Exhibition Tour takes students onto the famous cobbles of Britain’s longest-running soap, offering insight into how scripts, filming, and editing bring stories to life. Across the trip, students gain a deeper understanding of how performance spaces, production design, and storytelling techniques come together – leaving with a stronger appreciation of the UK’s creative industries.
SUGGESTED ITINERARIES
Day
1
- Depart school and travel to Manchester
- Guided city walking tour
- Evening meal at local restaurant
- Evening at leisure
Day
2
- Breakfast in accommodation
- The Lowry visit
- Coronation Street Exhibition Tour
- Royal Exchange at leisure
- Evening meal at local restaurant
- Theatre show
Day
3
- Breakfast in accommodation
- Check out from accommodation
- Manchester City Stadium tour
- Return travel
GCSE Media Studies
Manchester is one of the UK's leading media hubs, offering students the opportunity to explore how media products are created, distributed and consumed through real-world industry examples.
Curriculum Links:
- Media Language: analysing visual, technical and audio codes across television, film and digital platforms.
- Media Representations: exploring how social groups, identities and issues are portrayed in media products.
- Media Industries: understanding ownership, regulation, production and distribution.
- Audiences: investigating audience targeting, interpretation and engagement.
- The impact of digital technology on media production and consumption.
A-Level Media Studies
Manchester's creative and broadcasting sectors provide valuable case studies for advanced media analysis.
Curriculum Links:
- Theoretical approaches to media audiences and representation.
- Media regulation and industry developments.
- The role of public service broadcasting.
- Globalisation and media ownership.
- The influence of technology on contemporary media industries.
- Critical analysis of media products and institutions.
GCSE Film Studies
Students can gain a deeper understanding of filmmaking through visits to production facilities, media organisations and film-focused attractions.
Curriculum Links:
- Film form, narrative structure and genre conventions.
- Cinematography, editing, sound and mise-en-scène.
- British film and contemporary cinema.
- Audience responses and film criticism.
- The relationship between production decisions and storytelling.
A-Level Film Studies
Manchester's growing status within the UK screen industries helps students connect theory with practice.
Curriculum Links:
- Auteur theory and film interpretation.
- Film movements and cinematic contexts.
- Spectatorship and audience theory.
- Representation in contemporary film.
- The British film industry and production landscape.
- Independent and mainstream filmmaking.
Creative Digital Media and BTEC Media
Manchester offers excellent opportunities to explore careers and workflows within creative industries.
Curriculum Links:
- Media production processes.
- Content creation for digital platforms.
- Brand development and audience engagement.
- Photography, videography and post-production.
- Social media strategy and digital marketing.
- Professional practice within creative industries.
Journalism, Broadcasting and Communications
Home to significant broadcasting and media organisations, Manchester helps students understand how news and entertainment content reaches audiences.
Curriculum Links:
- News production and editorial decision-making.
- Media ethics and regulation.
- Broadcast journalism and communication skills.
- Audience needs and content planning.
- The role of media in society and democracy.
Careers in Film, Media and Broadcasting
A Film & Media trip to Manchester helps students explore one of the UK's fastest-growing employment sectors.
Curriculum Links:
- Careers in television, film and broadcasting.
- Production, directing and screenwriting roles.
- Journalism and communications pathways.
- Digital marketing and social media careers.
- Creative industry employability skills.
- Higher education and apprenticeship routes into media.
Features
ACCOMMODATION
Situated just a 15-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly train station, this modern hotel offers an ideal setting for school groups wanting to explore the city. Rooms come with flat-screen TVs and air conditioning, as well as a 24-hour snack shop.
- Free Wi-Fi
- 24-hour reception
Situated just a 15-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly train station, this modern hotel offers an ideal setting for school groups wanting to explore the city. Rooms come with flat-screen TVs and air conditioning, as well as a 24-hour snack shop.
- Free Wi-Fi
- 24-hour reception
Excursions
The Lowry
Celebrating the life and work of Salford’s most famous artist, L.S. Lowry, this striking arts venue combines galleries with performance spaces. Students can explore Lowry’s distinctive style, discover contemporary art exhibitions, and attend live performances, providing an inspiring addition to art, drama, and media studies.
Royal Exchange Theatre
Housed in a former trading hall, the Royal Exchange Theatre is as renowned for its unique in-the-round stage as for the high calibre of its productions. Students can take part in workshops, go behind the scenes, and see how theatre design, direction, and performance unite to tell powerful stories.
Theatre / Musical Show
From touring West End musicals to contemporary plays, Manchester’s theatre scene offers students the chance to experience live performance at its best. Coupled with optional backstage tours or Q&A sessions, these visits can help deepen understanding of stagecraft, storytelling, and performance techniques.
Coronation Street Exhibition Tour
Step onto the cobbles of the nation’s favourite soap opera with the Coronation Street Exhibition Tour. Students can explore working sets, discover behind-the-scenes production secrets, and learn how scripts, filming, and editing bring a long-running television drama to life.
Manchester City Stadium Tour
Step inside the Manchester City Stadium and discover how cutting-edge technology shapes the world of modern sport. Students can experience a pre-match team talk and press conference with a holographic Pep Guardiola, offering a fascinating insight into immersive media, digital storytelling, and the role of innovation in live events.
The Lowry
Celebrating the life and work of Salford’s most famous artist, L.S. Lowry, this striking arts venue combines galleries with performance spaces. Students can explore Lowry’s distinctive style, discover contemporary art exhibitions, and attend live performances, providing an inspiring addition to art, drama, and media studies.
Royal Exchange Theatre
Housed in a former trading hall, the Royal Exchange Theatre is as renowned for its unique in-the-round stage as for the high calibre of its productions. Students can take part in workshops, go behind the scenes, and see how theatre design, direction, and performance unite to tell powerful stories.
Theatre / Musical Show
From touring West End musicals to contemporary plays, Manchester’s theatre scene offers students the chance to experience live performance at its best. Coupled with optional backstage tours or Q&A sessions, these visits can help deepen understanding of stagecraft, storytelling, and performance techniques.
Coronation Street Exhibition Tour
Step onto the cobbles of the nation’s favourite soap opera with the Coronation Street Exhibition Tour. Students can explore working sets, discover behind-the-scenes production secrets, and learn how scripts, filming, and editing bring a long-running television drama to life.
Manchester City Stadium Tour
Step inside the Manchester City Stadium and discover how cutting-edge technology shapes the world of modern sport. Students can experience a pre-match team talk and press conference with a holographic Pep Guardiola, offering a fascinating insight into immersive media, digital storytelling, and the role of innovation in live events.
Trip details
All Equity packages are tailor-made to suit the needs of our groups. Here are our standard package inclusions:
- Return travel by coach or train
- 1 free staff place for every 8 full paying passengers
- Half-board accommodation
- Excursions
- London Underground travel (for train groups only)
- 24-hour emergency service support
- All travel documentation, luggage labels and resort information
- Meals en-route. While travelling to and from your destination you need to consider meals. These are not included in the package prices.
Prices are subject to change based on intended dates of travel and final numbers, the Equity team are here to offer you advice and guidance from start to finish, ensuring your school trip runs smoothly and is a great success.
- London – Explore London’s premier TV & film industry, with major studios, iconic locations and plenty of creative excursions.
- Paris – Jump into Paris’s cinematic heritage and creative culture, with plenty to inspire students interested in film & media.
- California – Step into Hollywood and explore California’s unrivalled connection to film, TV and the wider creative industries.
- All Film & Media School Trips – Browse our full collection of expertly planned film & media school trips.
Frequently Asked Questions About Film & Media School Trips to Manchester
Why is Manchester a great destination for a Film & Media school trip?
Manchester is one of the UK's most important creative and broadcasting centres, offering students valuable insight into television, film, journalism, digital media and content creation industries.
How does a Film & Media trip to Manchester support the curriculum?
Students gain real-world experience of media production, audiences, representation, media industries and film-making processes, directly supporting GCSE, A-Level and BTEC specifications.
What media-related attractions can students visit in Manchester?
Popular visits can include broadcasting studios, media production facilities, creative industry organisations, museums, exhibitions and behind-the-scenes experiences linked to television, film and digital content.
Can Film Studies students benefit from a trip to Manchester?
Absolutely. Students can explore filmmaking processes, production environments, narrative techniques and the creative decisions involved in bringing stories to screen.
How does Manchester support learning about broadcasting?
As a major UK broadcasting hub, students can gain insight into how television and radio programmes are planned, produced and distributed to national and international audiences.
Why do teachers choose Manchester for Film & Media educational visits?
Teachers value Manchester's strong links to the UK media industry, outstanding curriculum relevance and opportunities to inspire students considering careers in creative sectors.
