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The North West is made up of Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and Merseyside. Its two biggest cities, Liverpool and Manchester, are global landmarks in music and football history. The region was the heart of the industrial revolution – at one time, Lancashire produced half the world’s cotton. Many architectural reminders of this era remain, like Liverpool’s Royal Albert Docks and Chester's Victorian centre. The stunning Lake District – home to England’s highest peak, Scafell Pike – needs no filters, while Blackpool is a seaside adventure.

Providers in the North West

City guides

Counties of the North West

Cheshire

With splendid villages and towns, Cheshire often ranks among the most desirable counties in the country.

And strong travel links to Manchester and Liverpool means there’s a good chance you’ll bump into a footballer or television star – especially since MediaCityUK opened in Salford.

Cumbria

Known as the ‘Adventure Capital of the UK’, Cumbria is packed with breathtaking scenery, including the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the North Pennines and the magical Lake District.

As the UK’s largest national park, you'll have so many beautiful lakes and villages to explore, plus England’s highest mountain.

Greater Manchester

Manchester is iconic for music legends like Oasis, The Smiths, and Joy Division, while its two football clubs have fans worldwide.

As well as a large, thriving city to explore, you'll be right next to the beautiful Peak District National Park.

Lancashire

Like any good biscuit selection, Lancashire has a bit of everything – charming cities like Lancaster and Preston, the university market town, Ormskirk, and the classic British seaside resort, Blackpool.

You'll be very well connected to Liverpool and Manchester, yet surrounded by countryside you could mistake for The Shire in the Lord of the Rings.

Merseyside

Liverpool has made enormous contributions to British culture – from The Beatles to Eurovision – validating its previous European Capital of Culture title.

Enjoy the nightlife, shopping, arts, and architecture. Or follow the Merseyside coastline from the historic Albert Docks to find enormous beach dunes at Crosby and Southport.

Study options

Find courses and apprenticeships in the North West: