Vita Student First Street Manchester is a studio-only building of 279 apartments at 13 Jack Rosenthal Street, M15 4RB, on the southern edge of Manchester city centre. It opened in 2014 as Vita Student's first Manchester residence, and its pitch is simple: your own studio, with weekday breakfast, fortnightly cleaning and events bundled into the rent.
That bundle is what you are really paying for. This guide sets out what is included, what the studios are like, how far you will travel to campus and what residents say, so you can judge whether the premium is worth it for you.
Vita Student First Street building exterior on Jack Rosenthal Street, Manchester
Key facts
- Address: 13 Jack Rosenthal Street, Manchester M15 4RB
- Operator: Vita Student (Vita Group)
- Size: 279 studio apartments
- Opened: 2014
- Rent (2026/27): from £299 per week on a 44-week contract [PRICE CHECK]
- StudentCrowd rating: 4.03/5 from 11 verified student reviews
- Closest campus: Manchester Metropolitan University, about 0.3 miles
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About Vita Student First Street
First Street is a regeneration district between Deansgate and Oxford Road, with HOME arts centre, restaurants and offices around a central square. Vita Student describes its building as the quieter of its two Manchester residences (the other is Circle Square), aimed at students who want to be near the centre without living on top of the nightlife.
The building's social heart is a double-height glazed "Hub" used as a daytime work and coffee space and for evening events. Vita's newer House of Social building has since opened next door, so First Street now sits in a growing cluster of student housing.
Every apartment is a self-contained studio, so there are no shared flats. That suits students who want privacy, but it also means your social life depends on the communal spaces and events rather than flatmates.
Room Types at Vita Student First Street
Vita lists studios in two main grades, plus an accessible studio. All are around 18 sq m, and prices rise with floor level and view.
- Classic Studio: From £299/week (44 weeks)
- Classic Plus Studio: From £314/week (44 weeks)
- Accessible Studio: Price on request; no contracts listed when checked
Prices are indicative, checked on 30 October 2026, and depend on availability, contract length, floor and booking date. A 39-week contract costs more per week (£329 for Classic, £345 for Classic Plus). Confirm current rates with Vita Student. [PRICE CHECK]
What every studio includes
- Three-quarter bed with underbed storage
- Private shower room with toilet and sink
- Kitchenette with hob, microwave oven and fridge freezer
- Desk, desk chair and pinboard
- Wardrobe and mirror
- Smart TV
- Air conditioning
One detail worth knowing: the room specification lists a non-opening window, so ventilation relies on the air conditioning. Some marketing describes a "large double bed", but the current room listing specifies a three-quarter bed; check at a viewing if bed size matters to you.
The Classic and Classic Plus are listed at the same size. The difference appears to be location in the building and outlook rather than floor space, so ask Vita what the extra cost buys for a specific room.
Facilities and Amenities
Shared facilities
- Double-height Hub and coffee lounge
- 24/7 gym and fitness studio
- Cinema room
- Bookable private study rooms
- Pool and table tennis tables
- Secure bike storage
- Parcel collection
- 24/7 on-site team, CCTV and key fob access
Services included in rent
- Weekday breakfast
- Fortnightly housekeeping
- Free tea and coffee
- Regular events
- Superfast Wi-Fi
- All utility bills and contents insurance
- Online doctor service and partner discounts
Paid extras
- Laundry: on-site washers and dryers, paid via account credit
- Parking: none on site
Location and Nearby Universities
First Street sits just south of Whitworth Street, between the Oxford Road corridor and Deansgate. Travel figures below come from StudentCrowd and Vita Student.
| Destination | Distance | Walk | Other options |
| Manchester Metropolitan University (All Saints) | 0.3 mi | 6 min | 2 min cycle |
| University of Manchester (Oxford Road) | about 0.7 mi | 13 min (Vita) | Buses on Oxford Road |
| Arden University Manchester | 0.7 mi | 16 min | 6 min cycle |
| University of Law Manchester | 0.9 mi | 17 min | 12 min bus |
| Manchester city centre | n/a | 5 min (Vita) | n/a |
Transport: Manchester Oxford Road station is about a five-minute walk, Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop about seven minutes, and the Hulme Street bus stop about four minutes. First Street's own estate guide puts Piccadilly station roughly ten minutes away on foot.
Everyday essentials: HOME cinema and theatre, cafés and restaurants are on First Street itself. Deansgate's shops and supermarkets are a short walk north.
Students at the University of Salford would need a bus or train, so the building is a better fit for MMU and University of Manchester students. Compare other buildings near your campus with our guides to student accommodation near the University of Manchester and Manchester properties close to the Oxford Road campus.
Vita Student First Street Rent, Bills and Booking
- Rent: from £299 to about £345 per week depending on grade and contract length [PRICE CHECK]
- Bills: all included, plus breakfast, housekeeping, Wi-Fi and insurance
- Contract lengths: 39 and 44 weeks listed for 2026/27; StudentCrowd shows options up to 51 weeks
- Advance payment: two weeks' rent when you book (for example £598 on a £299 Classic Studio)
- Guarantor: not required
- Payment plans: one, two or four instalments; changing plan after the cooling-off period may cost £50
- Cancellation: 48-hour cooling-off period, plus No Visa No Pay and No Place No Pay policies with conditions and deadlines
Read the full licence agreement before paying. Once the cooling-off period ends, you are liable for the full term unless you qualify under one of the cancellation policies or find a replacement.
What Do Students Say About Vita Student First Street?
Review volume for First Street is limited, and the sources disagree, so read this section as a guide to themes rather than a verdict.
Ratings (checked 30 October 2026):
- StudentCrowd: 4.03 out of 5 from 11 verified student reviews; ranked 10th among rated Manchester halls.
- Best Student Halls: two Google reviews (January and April 2026), both 5 stars.
- HallBookers: 1.8 out of 5 from two reviews (2015 and 2023).
- Casita: shows 4.5 from 442 ratings, but does not say where those ratings come from, so we do not rely on it.
Positive experiences
The included services earn the most consistent praise. A StudentCrowd reviewer thanked the cleaning team for the fortnightly visits, and another summarised the building as friendly staff and great food. The two 2026 Google reviews both single out reception staff by name and describe the building as safe and comfortable.
Common concerns
Studio size and price. The two critical HallBookers reviews, from 2015 and 2023, both say the studio is small and expensive. One complains about a cramped bathroom, the other about cleanliness and customer service.
Laundry. Older feedback on Feefo (around 2017) criticised the number of washers and dryers and their condition. This may have changed since, so ask about current laundry capacity at a viewing.
Staff and management
Recent public feedback on staff is positive. The 2023 HallBookers complaint about customer service is the main exception we found.
Room quality and maintenance
Students describe the studios as compact but well equipped. We found no recurring maintenance complaint in recent public reviews, though volumes are small.
Location and accessibility
Location is not a source of complaint. The building is genuinely central, particularly for MMU.
Value for money
Value is the most divided theme. Positive reviewers credit the bundled breakfast, cleaning and events; critics feel the rent is high for the space. Your view will depend on how much you use the included services.
Pros and Cons of Living at Vita Student First Street
Pros
- Your own studio, so no shared kitchen or bathroom
- Weekday breakfast, fortnightly cleaning and events included
- Six-minute walk to MMU, about 13 minutes to the University of Manchester
- No guarantor required
- Air conditioning in every studio
- 24/7 gym, cinema and study rooms
Cons
- Rent starts around £300 a week
- Studios are about 18 sq m with a three-quarter bed
- Non-opening windows
- Laundry costs extra
- No parking
- Limited and mixed independent reviews
Is Vita Student First Street Worth Considering?
Worth shortlisting if you:
- Study at MMU or the University of Manchester and want to walk to campus
- Want full privacy without sharing a kitchen
- Will actually use the breakfast, cleaning and gym, which offsets part of the rent
- Are an international student without a UK guarantor
Compare alternatives if you:
- Have a tight budget. Shared-kitchen en-suites cost much less; see iQ Wilmslow Park or Manchester Student Village near MMU.
- Want a larger studio for similar money. Check room sizes at nearby buildings such as iQ Lambert and Fairfield House.
- Want to stay in the same M15 area. Cavendish Place and New Medlock House are both close by.
A simple test: add up what you would otherwise spend on breakfast, a gym membership and cleaning. If that closes most of the gap between First Street and a cheaper studio elsewhere, the premium makes sense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Vita Student First Street located?
At 13 Jack Rosenthal Street, Manchester M15 4RB, in the First Street district on the southern edge of the city centre, about five minutes' walk from Oxford Road station.
What room types are available at Vita Student First Street?
Classic Studios and Classic Plus Studios, both around 18 sq m, plus an accessible studio. Every room is a self-contained studio with its own kitchenette and shower room.
How much does Vita Student First Street cost per week?
For 2026/27, prices started at £299 a week for a 44-week Classic Studio and £314 for a Classic Plus. Shorter contracts and higher floors cost more. Confirm current rates with Vita Student.
Are bills included in Vita Student First Street rent?
Yes. Utilities, Wi-Fi and contents insurance are included, along with weekday breakfast, fortnightly housekeeping and events. Laundry is charged separately.
What facilities are available at the property?
A double-height Hub and coffee lounge, 24/7 gym and fitness studio, cinema room, study rooms, games tables, bike storage, parcel collection and a 24/7 on-site team.
How far is First Street from the University of Manchester?
Vita Student gives a 13-minute walk to the University of Manchester. Buses along Oxford Road are an alternative.
Is Vita Student First Street near Manchester Metropolitan University?
Yes. MMU's main campus is about 0.3 miles away, roughly a six-minute walk.
Is Vita Student First Street a good option for students?
It suits students who want a private studio near MMU or the University of Manchester and will use the included breakfast, cleaning and gym. Budget-focused students may find better value in shared-kitchen en-suites.
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Final Verdict on Vita Student First Street Manchester
Vita Student First Street Manchester offers a privacy-first, services-included way to live centrally, with an unbeatable walk to MMU and a reasonable one to the University of Manchester. Its weaknesses are the compact studios, non-opening windows and a weekly rent near £300. Reviews are limited and split mostly on value, which tells you who it suits: students who will use the breakfast, cleaning and gym. If that is you, shortlist it via the Vita Student First Street listing on Acolyte Living; if not, compare it with other student accommodation in Manchester first.