The Press was founded in 1904, primarily as an outlet to publish academic research being carried out within the Victoria University of Manchester. Today, the Press is an international concern, publishing work by authors from all over the world and selling books to a global audience.

Throughout this century the Press has maintained its links with the University, and views its relationship with the University as an integral aspect of its future development. Manchester University Press is the third largest University Press in the U.K and publishes textbooks for use by academics teaching in higher education, students and the interested general reader. Currently publishing 145 new titles a year, 14 journals and around 60 reprints from its extensive backlist, the Press sells more than 150,000 books each year. The Press also exports some 50 percent of output to more than 60 countries using representatives in Britain, Ireland and Europe and agents elsewhere including North America, Canada and Australia.

Most of the traditional publishing processes are carried out in-house; and the Press has well-established editorial, production, design and marketing departments. At present 18 people are employed by Manchester University Press. In addition the various departments within the Press regularly call upon an established pool of professional freelance