The University of Manchester was formed in 2004 by the merger of the Victoria University of Manchester (popularly known as Manchester University) and the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST).

UMIST has the longer history, dating back to 1824 and the establishment of the Mechanics' Institute in Manchester. The Victoria University of Manchester dates back to 1851, when Owens College was formed. Owens College became part of the federal Victoria University of Manchester in 1880, alongside University College Liverpool and the Yorkshire College, Leeds. Both UMIST and the Victoria University of Manchester operated independently of each other until the 2004 merger.