The Digest consists of consolidated statistical data relating to University, collected for each annual session. The first edition was issued in March 1986, and was thereafter issued after each academic session until 1996/7. The statistical data is divided into the following chapters:
- Student Numbers
- Applications for UG courses
- Entry standards for UG courses
- Student load
- Academic staff
- Age distribution of academic staff
- Ancillary staff in academic departments
- Staff/student ratios
- Finance
- Academic departmental unit costs
Digests for 1991-1992 to 1992-1993 have additional chapters for:
- Degrees awarded
- PhD Thesis submission rates
- First destinations of Manchester Graduates
The format of the 1994-1995 Digest is:
- Student Numbers
- Student Load
- Academic Staff: Student Ratios
- Admissions
- Degrees Awarded
- First Destinations of Manchester Graduates 1993
- Staff Numbers
- Research
- Income and Expenditure Estimates