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Get involved
The University of Manchester has a number of initiatives that help staff, students, alumni, and supporters make a difference in the local area.
We are committed to breaking down barriers to learning through our research and programmes that help underrepresented students within higher education.
Being a part of the University community means that you have the opportunity to get involved in these initiatives and do good in our local communities.
University initiatives
Find out how you can get involved and make a difference as a staff member, alumni, researcher, or teacher within the local area.
The University of Manchester School Governor Initiative (UMSGI)
The University of Manchester School Governor Initiative provides opportunities and support for staff across the University to become Local Authority or Community Governors.
If you would like to use your skills and experiences to support the Board of Governors in a local school, email schoolsandcolleges@manchester.ac.uk.
IntoUniversity Manchester North (IUMN)
IntoUniversity Manchester North is a local learning centre that is supported by donations made to the University.
There is a wide range of volunteering opportunities for our staff and students at the centre in Blackley, including mentoring, guest lectures and ongoing support at after school clubs.
If you are interested in volunteering at the centre, email schoolsandcolleges@manchester.ac.uk.
Manchester Access Programme
The Manchester Access Programme (MAP) is the University’s flagship widening participation scheme that supports local Year 12 students from backgrounds that are underrepresented in higher education, including:
- students who are the first in their family to study at university;
- students living in areas with low progression rates to higher education or a high level of deprivation;
- specific personal circumstances such as the experience of local authority care, being a young carer, estranged from their family or a sanctuary-seeker.
MAP aims to support entry to The University of Manchester, or another research-intensive university, through the completion of a portfolio of work that includes an academic assignment completed under the supervision of an academic tutor.
Each year we recruit and train over 100 members of staff and postgraduate research students to work as academic tutors for our MAP students; who support students in choosing a research topic, writing an assignment, and marking their finished version.
If you would like to find out more, email map@manchester.ac.uk.
Widening Participation Fellows
This opportunity invites non-final year PhD students to deliver outreach activities in local schools.
We recruit students from all of the University’s three Faculties to act as inspiring subject experts for a range of learners, from primary school pupils to sixth form students.
This is a paid opportunity and full training will be available to successful applicants. We usually run an information session in June, with applications running until early July.
If you would like to find out more, email schoolsandcolleges@manchester.ac.uk.
The Brilliant Club
The University works in partnership with The Brilliant Club, an educational charity that mobilises PhD and early career researchers to engage pupils in non-selective state schools in university-style learning.
Training with The Brilliant Club and working as a Scholars Programme tutor enables researchers to communicate their research to a non-specialist audience, gain valuable teaching and public engagement experience, and deepen their knowledge of the UK education system.
The University has a collaborative target with The Brilliant Club in their Access and Participation Plan.
If you would like to find out more, email schoolsandcolleges@manchester.ac.uk.
Teachers, careers advisors and supporters all play a crucial role in ensuring school and college students have access to information on higher education.
Working with us, you will have access to expert, up-to-date information about progression to higher education, and belong to the Higher Education Liaison Officers Association (HELOA) – the professional body overseeing university work with prospective students and their influencers.
You will benefit from:
- Exciting learning materials on subjects such as physical sciences, humanities, and hidden histories.
- Booking live classroom talks for primary, secondary and post-16s.
- Widening participation and widening access schemes.
Find more information on our teachers and careers advisor page.
The University of Manchester School Governor Initiative (UMSGI)
The University of Manchester School Governor Initiative provides opportunities and support for staff across the University to become Local Authority or Community Governors.
If you would like to use your skills and experiences to support the Board of Governors in a local school, email schoolsandcolleges@manchester.ac.uk.
National Alumni Network
Join your school or college network, or give back to young people in other schools or colleges across the UK.
If you cannot find your old school, sign-up to the National Alumni Network to support a variety of projects.