Study in Manly, Australia

About Manly

Manly is a beachside suburb of Sydney, across the harbour from the city centre, in the Northern Beaches local government area. The Northern Beaches had 263,554 residents at the 2021 Census, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Manly is linked to Circular Quay and central Sydney by ferry across the harbour, so students can live in a beach community and still reach the city easily.

For students, Manly means English courses steps from the sand and a small, business-focused higher education college. Daily life revolves around the beach, the coastal walks and the ferry wharf.

Studying in Manly

SpainExchange lists 3 active schools in Manly: 1 higher education institution and 2 English language schools. The International College of Management, Sydney (ICMS) is a higher education institution with campuses in Manly and in Sydney's business district. It offers bachelor's and master's degrees to Australian and international students, with business specialisations such as entrepreneurship, marketing, accounting and sports management, and degrees in events, hospitality and international tourism. Work-integrated learning (a professional placement or internship) is part of every ICMS degree. Its Northern Beaches campus, known as the "castle on the hill", overlooks Manly Beach, and its pathway institutions offer diplomas that can lead into the second year of a bachelor's degree.

English courses for international students (ELICOS) last from five to 60 weeks, depending on your level, according to Study Australia. Lexis Sydney's campus is metres from Manly Beach, at 30-32 South Steyne. The school states that it has about 290 students and an average class size of 12, and its courses include General English (also part time), Cambridge and IELTS preparation, English with demi-pair, private tuition, premium small groups and English in Action, with daytime or evening schedules. Fluency Hub, a CRICOS-registered English school with Sydney-based teachers, also runs live Zoom classes and offers regional pricing for students from Latin America. Typical options include:

• General English, full time or part time
• IELTS and Cambridge exam preparation
• English combined with surfing or a demi-pair stay
• online English classes with Sydney-based teachers
• bachelor's and master's degrees in business, hospitality and tourism

Cost of living for students

The Northern Beaches is an expensive area: the median weekly rent for a whole dwelling was $625 at the 2021 Census. Sharing a house with other students is a common way to keep costs down. School accommodation gives a more current benchmark: for 2026 Lexis Sydney lists a single room in a homestay at $415 a week and a dorm bed in its Manly Bunkhouse from $330 a week. Its 2027 fee schedule takes effect on 1 November 2026, so check the current prices.

Public transport in Sydney uses Opal fares, paid with an Opal card or a contactless bank card. Adult fares are capped at $19.30 a day from Monday to Thursday, $9.65 on Fridays, weekends and public holidays, and $50 a week, and off-peak travel is 30% cheaper. Eligible tertiary and TAFE students can get concession fares; ask your school whether you qualify. On a student visa you can work up to 48 hours a fortnight while your course is in session.

Getting around and daily life

The Sydney Ferries F1 Manly route links Manly with Circular Quay, and the private Manly Fast Ferry also runs to the city; OpalPay can be used on some private ferries. Buses connect Manly with the rest of the Northern Beaches. Most of Manly itself, including the beach, the Corso and the ferry wharf, is easy to cover on foot.

Manly shares Sydney's climate of mild winters and warm summers, with the seasons reversed compared with Europe and North America. At the Bureau of Meteorology's Sydney (Observatory Hill) station (records 1859-2020), the average daily maximum is 26.0 °C in January and 16.4 °C in July, and the average minimum is 18.8 °C in January and 8.1 °C in July.

Frequently asked questions

Is Manly a good place to learn English?

Manly has English schools close to the beach, with General English, IELTS and Cambridge preparation, and central Sydney is a ferry ride away. ELICOS courses last from five to 60 weeks depending on your level.

How do I get from Manly to central Sydney?

The Sydney Ferries F1 route runs between Manly and Circular Quay, and the private Manly Fast Ferry is another option. Opal fares apply on Sydney Ferries.

Can I study for a degree in Manly?

Yes. The International College of Management, Sydney (ICMS) offers bachelor's and master's degrees in business, hospitality, events and tourism, with a campus overlooking Manly Beach.

How much does accommodation cost in Manly?

For 2026, Lexis Sydney lists homestay single rooms at $415 a week and dorm beds from $330 a week. Renting privately is expensive: the median weekly rent on the Northern Beaches was $625 in 2021.