The University’s Access and Student Success Impact Report 2025 shows how staff, students, and partners at the University of Manchester are striving to make education more equitable and highlights the impact we deliver for young people. 

The report shows strong performance against the University’s previous Access and Participation Plan targets, including continued improvements in student outcomes and the diversity of our intake. Degree awarding gaps have narrowed further, with progress exceeding targets for some student groups, and participation from areas with lower higher education entry rates continuing to improve. 

The report showcases activity across the full student lifecycle, from primary and secondary outreach through to transition, on-course success, financial support, and employability. It highlights the importance of evaluation, data, and evidence of impact in shaping future activity. Priorities for the new Access and Participation Plan cycle to 2029 include continued reductions in awarding gaps, improved continuation for key student groups, and sustained collaboration across the University to support access, belonging, and success.

Highlights from this report include: 

• Working with 62,000 students across 1,550 schools and colleges, 
• The Science & Engineering Education Research and Innovation Hub celebrated the tenth anniversary of its Great Science Share for Schools, 
• Distributing over £11.5 million to 5900 students through the Manchester Bursary and Undergraduate Access Scholarship, 
• Pilot of our new Digital Equity Fund supported by donor-funded Manchester Access and Success Fund, providing 330 laptop vouchers to students, 
• Launching Manchester Momentum, a coaching programme for Undergraduates of Black and South Asian Heritage, 
• Funding 46 students to spend a week in one of seven cities across the globe through Manchester Global Graduates. 

Read the full Impact Report. 

Find out more about Widening Participation.