The University of Manchester Intitute of Science and Technology (UMIST) was established in 1966, but its origins date back to the Mechanics' Institution, formed by industrialists in 1824.

The Mechanics' Institution was originally based near St Peter's Square, Manchester, and moved to Princess Street, Manchester, in 1853.

The industrialist John Henry Reynolds responded to fears that Britain was losing its leading position as an industrial nation, by setting up a programme of classes, focusing on subjects that served the industrial needs of the Manchester region. The classes were a success and, in 1883, Reynolds converted the Mechanics' Institute into the Manchester Technical School.

From 1892, the Technical School was funded by Manchester Corporation and became known as the Manchester Municipal Technical School. It was renamed the Manchester Municipal College of Technology after the First World War.

In 1956 the College of Technology gained independent status as a university college. It was renamed the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) in 1966, but remained largely independent of the Victoria University. It merged with Victoria University in 2004 to become the University of Manchester.