2035 strategy

From Manchester for the world

Our strategy to 2035

Our North Star

Becoming a great 21st century university

The world is changing, fast. Climate, tech, geopolitics – everything is shifting.

But this isn't the first time Manchester has risen to the moment. We were born as an answer. The first modern civic university, built for an industrial age. Now, it's our turn to define what a great university looks like for the 21st century, creating knowledge for the public good, locally and globally.

Building our foundations

Foundations

Our foundations give our ambition context and meaning – the core commitments that must be true in any future.

Outstanding teaching and research

Learning and discovery for a new world

We will be equally recognised for excellence in our student experience and research, inspiring innovation, and creating the knowledge and graduates that will help change the world for the better.
Our world-class research will expand and feed directly into our teaching, so our students can take on the most pressing challenges facing the world.
Discovery and truth seeking is at the heart of our mission. We champion open debate, cultivate understanding and rebuild trust when views are more polarised than ever.

Values-led and socially responsible

Driven by purpose

We will set the standard for embedding social responsibility across teaching, research and operations – making Manchester the place people choose to work, study and partner with.
Aligned with our civic mission, we will co-create solutions with partners and communities – delivering benefits in the North and beyond and working more closely with people higher education has not always reached.
We will lead in open, accessible knowledge and meet our zero-carbon commitments, while fostering respectful dialogue and equity.

Of Manchester and for the world

Driving local growth and world-wide change

At home in Manchester, but with a global outlook, we will connect our students to skills, our community to ideas, and our research to solutions that drive inclusive growth locally and scale globally.
Our deep connection to the city and the North shapes how we work, and together with partners in health, local government, business or social enterprise, our people are making a real difference in local communities.
At the same time, our work reaches far beyond the city. We’re focusing on key areas from health innovation to translating our discoveries in materials and AI into impactful solutions. We're building on the influence of our world-renowned cultural institutions, while remaining committed to social responsibility and broadening access to education.

Organised for success: one university

A shared way of working

We’re creating a supportive, empowering and shared working environment where our people have the clarity, tools and culture to do their best work and feel empowered to innovate.
We’ll simplify processes and reduce barriers. Digital transformation will connect people and speed up the path from idea to impact.
Everyone will have access to development opportunities and the support they need to learn, lead, adapt and work better together as one university.

A place where you matter

An inclusive university, every view counts

Our culture and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion will be the reason people choose to join – and thrive – at the University and feel deeply connected to each other, Manchester and the wider world.
Mattering means your views shape decisions, your work drives change, and your presence makes a difference.
Our community will reflect the diversity of our city, region and our global reach. Ambition, challenge and collaboration will bring out the best in everyone.

“Our community shaped this strategy: getting the basics right, building on our existing strengths and being bold. We will deliver it the same way – openly, honestly and together.”

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor

Five big leaps

Leaps

Developed with our community, our leaps are the driving force to go further and faster, building a future only Manchester can imagine.

By 2035 students will co-create their learning to study on their own terms, with flexibility and partner collaboration built into every course, supported by in-person care and a smart digital environment.

By 2035 our colleagues will thrive in an environment that values creativity, inclusion and collaboration – empowered with the tools, support and culture to do their best work and make a lasting impact. They will drive change – bringing creativity, expertise and commitment to shape ideas and turn ambition into impact.

By 2035 our civic, industry and community partners, along with our alumni, will co-create teaching, research and solutions with us. With 550,000+ alumni worldwide, deep regional ties and global partnerships, we will collaborate at scale to turn knowledge into impact.

By 2035 our supporters and donors will help to inspire the bold ideas to improve lives worldwide that only we can deliver – backing students, researchers, entrepreneurs and partners to accelerate discoveries and drive innovation with greater impact than ever before.

Flexible learning

Flexible, personalised and digitally enabled learning

We’re creating a new kind of student experience – flexible, connected and personalised – blending digital innovation with in-person support and combining hands-on, partner-enabled learning with our local and global connections.

Research impact

Research excellence to impact

We’ll be known for discovery and challenge-led research – tackling society’s hardest problems and delivering impact fast. Connecting people, ideas and infrastructure, we’ll turn knowledge into action across health, climate, culture, advanced materials and AI.

Innovation powerhouse

A powerhouse of innovation

We'll become Europe’s most inclusive and impactful innovation ecosystem. At Manchester, innovation means more than technology: from student-led enterprises to civic collaborations, everyone will have the chance to contribute to progress that changes lives locally and globally.

Partner of choice

The university to partner with

We’ll be the partner of choice for those who share our commitment to excellence and turning knowledge into impact for the public good. Our collaborations will reflect who we are – open, values-led and focused on making a difference.

Digital university

Digital inside and out

We’ll create inclusive, people-led digital environments. Through Manchester Online we’ll expand access locally and globally. Building digital skills for all, tackling digital poverty and using AI responsibly, we’ll use technology to empower rather than exclude.

Shaping our strategy together

We worked with more than 12,000 colleagues, students, alumni, civic, industry and community partners to ask tough questions, challenge ideas and think big.

It's your turn

Whether you study, teach, lead, support, research or collaborate, your voice, ideas and energy will matter. Members of our community reflect on one thing they'll do differently because of our strategy – Manchester 2035.