The Alternative Prospectus was established in 1974 to give the opinions of Manchester students about courses, accommodation and the University in general to prospective students. Information on the quality of courses was originally provided by the student representatives on various departmental boards, which had been established by the University in 1973. The Prospectus made combined both light-hearted and serious criticism of the academic and support services provided by the University.
The 1975/6 edition is not present. Some editions from the late 1980s and 1990s are not present; it has not been possible to identify which specific years are missing because later editions of the Prospectus have not been dated.