The Manchester Access Programme (MAP) first came to life in 2006, making it one of the earliest examples of a university widening access initiative of its kind. At that time, the University of Manchester recognised a difficult reality: talented students from less advantaged backgrounds often faced significant barriers, not in ability, but in confidence, in knowledge of the university landscape, and in understanding how to navigate a path to a research-intensive institution like Manchester.

MAP was created to help level that playing field. It brought together personalised application support, helped to foster a sense of belonging at university, supported academic preparation, and contextual offer making. These were all designed to give students the tools, the reassurance, and the opportunities they needed to progress.

MAP set the foundations for an institutional commitment to our civic responsibility to widen access for young people across Greater Manchester. This innovation placed us at the forefront of access work and we’ve been sharing learning, insights and best practice with colleagues across the sector ever since.

From its beginnings as a small pilot of just 104 learners, as we celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2026, the programme now welcomes up to 750 students in every cohort. Over these two decades, 8,536 students have completed MAP, with 3,370 progressing to the University of Manchester, and many more securing places at other universities nationwide. The scale of that achievement is remarkable – and the personal stories behind those numbers are even more powerful. 

As we reach this milestone we are also looking forward. We’re reconnecting with MAP alumni and creating space for those former students to find one another, share their journeys, and stay connected to the programme that helped shape their next steps.

• If you were part of MAP at any point over the last 20 years, we’d love for you to join the MAP alumni LinkedIn group and be part of that conversation.