Manchester Momentum
A coaching programme empowering undergraduate students from Black, Pakistani and Bangladeshi heritage to reach their potential.
Manchester Momentum is the University’s coaching and personal development programme designed specifically for undergraduate students of Black, Pakistani and Bangladeshi heritage.
Coaching is delivered by professionally accredited coaches and offered at times that work for you, including evenings and weekends.
Alongside coaching, you can join community events and activities to connect with other students on the programme.
To be considered for Manchester Momentum, you must:
- be an undergraduate student at The University of Manchester;
- be in the second year of your course;
- identify as Black, Pakistani or Bangladeshi;
- hold ‘Home’ student status (UK residency for tuition fee purposes).
One-to-one coaching
You’ll receive six hours of one-to-one coaching with a professional coach from CoachBright, a social mobility charity that works with universities across the UK. Your coach will help you set goals, explore ways to reach them and reflect on your progress throughout the year.
Community events and activities
You’ll also be invited to a community event or workshop each month. Previous sessions have included a heritage and identity workshop at Manchester Museum, a careers and conversations event with alumni and sector professionals, and a relaxed wellbeing and crafts session.
The programme will support you to:
- Strengthen skills that matter to you – such as time management, exams and assessment preparation, managing wellbeing and critical thinking.
- Grow confidence and motivation
- Build habits that support your development
- Connect with a supportive student community
- Access services and resources to help you succeed
“Having a coach during my second year became one of the most valuable parts of my university experience. My greatest takeaway was the importance of perseverance. Challenges are inevitable, but consistent action matters.”
-Samra Falak
Final-year Medical Physiology student and Manchester Momentum 2025/26 participant
Previous students have told us they developed a range of skills through the programme, including:
- Academic confidence – feel more confident in your studies and your ability to overcome challenges.
- Time management – manage your workload and deadlines more effectively.
- Revision and study strategies – try approaches that help you study in ways that work for you.
- Critical thinking – strengthen your ability to analyse, evaluate and reflect.
- Goal setting and reflection – set realistic goals and track your progress.
- Self-awareness and resilience – build on your strengths and develop strategies to handle setbacks.
- University engagement – make better use of the services, support and opportunities available to you.
- Communication and interpersonal skills – grow your confidence in expressing yourself and building positive connections.
You will be matched with a coach to set goals focused on your individual needs. Together, you’ll create a plan and reflect on your progress throughout the year.
After you complete the Programme, we’ll host a celebration with your coach and peers.
Timeline
| Your journey | When |
|---|---|
| Secure your place on the programme | September–October 2026 |
| Get matched with your professional coach | November 2026 |
|
Programme launch event Begin your coaching journey and start your one-to-one coaching sessions |
November 2026 |
| Heritage and identity workshop at Manchester Museum | November 2026 |
| Be What You See: Active bystander and anti-racism workshop | December 2026 |
| Winter social | December 2026 |
| CoachBright skills workshop | January 2027 |
| Careers and conversations event | February 2027 |
| Spring social | March 2027 |
| Programme celebration event | March 2027 |
Eligible students will be offered a place on the programme and contacted directly by the programme team by phone and email. If you have not received an invitation but believe you meet the eligibility criteria and would be interested in joining, please get in touch with the programme team at studentcoaching@manchester.ac.uk.
FAQs
At The University of Manchester, data shows that not all groups of students achieve degree outcomes at the same rate. Currently, Black, Pakistani and Bangladeshi heritage students are less likely to achieve a First or Upper Second degree compared to their white peers, this is referred to as an ‘awarding gap’. In 2021/22, the awarding gap was 12.5% for Black students and 9.3% for Asian students overall, with Pakistani and Bangladeshi heritage students most affected.
Manchester Momentum is a targeted intervention that forms part of the ‘Coaching’ activity outlined in the University’s Access and Participation Plan (APP). It focuses support where the data shows the biggest gaps, while also complementing wider work across the University to improve inclusivity, belonging and success for all students. For further information on how the University is working on institutional strategies to improve the awarding gap, you can read the APP.
Second year is the perfect time to reflect and plan for success. By this stage, you’re more familiar with university life but may also notice challenges you want to overcome or changes you would like to implement. We also use your first-year results as a baseline to track the impact of the Programme on your academic progress.
The APP highlights that ‘Home’ students from Black, Pakistani and Bangladeshi heritage are at the greatest risk of lower degree outcomes. Manchester Momentum focuses on these groups to provide targeted support where it can make the biggest difference. International students continue to be supported through other University initiatives.
You won’t be able to choose your coach, but we aim to create pairings that work well for you.
If the coaching relationship doesn’t feel right, there may be the option to switch to a different coach. Get in touch with us to discuss.
Coaching is about helping you set your goals and the best way to achieve them. A coach won’t tell you what to do – instead, they’ll ask questions, listen and help guide you to find solutions that work for you.
Mentoring usually involves learning from someone with more experience in a similar field, while academic advising focuses on course-specific choices or study planning. Coaching is different because it’s tailored to your personal growth, confidence and success – both inside and outside of university.
Not at all. You can still take part in the Programme while on placement. The key is good communication with your coach and a commitment to scheduling sessions around your timetable and placement commitments. Coaching can even help you navigate challenges and make the most of your placement experience.
The Programme runs from November 2026 to March 2027. Coaching sessions last around one hour and you’ll meet your coach six times during this period. Coaching sessions take place online, with the option for evening and weekend coaching sessions.
Yes – coaching sessions are confidential. What you share with your coach stays between you, unless you disclose something that means we need to seek further support for your safety or wellbeing.
It’s important to note that coaching is not the same as counselling or mental health support. Coaches are there to help you set goals, reflect, and grow. If you need specialist wellbeing support, your coach can guide you towards the right University services.
You will be encouraged to attend community events, workshops and socials across the length of the programme. They’re a fun way to connect with peers, build your network and feel part of the Programme community. The more you get involved, the more you’ll gain from the experience.
Manchester Momentum isn’t just about academics; it’s also about personal growth, confidence and skills for life and work. The most important thing is to meet the eligibility criteria.
Since we are working to generate data on successful interventions to address the degree awarding gap, priority will be given to students who are not already on track to get a First/2:1, based on data from their previous year of study.
Get in touch
Email the Manchester Momentum team at studentcoaching@manchester.ac.uk.