Applications for MAP 2026 will open mid-November 2025.
Note: the priority criteria for MAP have recently changed for the first time in many years. Please take a moment to read the information carefully so you know what’s needed before applying.
We appreciate what important role parents and carers play in helping young adults navigate their future once they leave school or college.
We have gathered useful information about the Manchester Access Programme (MAP) and how you can support a Year 12 student looking to apply.
Who can apply?
The Programme is for Year 12 students in Greater Manchester who meet the eligibility criteria.
The programme is delivered in a hybrid model with a mix of on-campus and online modules, events and activities. Students will have the opportunity to experience our world-class teaching facilities in-person and have access to online resources and modules via Canvas, our online teaching platform.
We use a dynamic risk assessment model to constantly review the safety of our online and on-campus activities.
We have a variety of measures to ensure the safety of your child while they are on the programme, including additional safety protocols and guidance for using the online platforms safely.
Further details can be found in The University’s Child Safeguarding Policy (PDF, 218KB).
We try our best to provide flexibility, where possible, for any students who experience extenuating circumstances which affect their participation on the programme.
Students are encouraged to contact us as soon as possible if they are experiencing any issues. The MAP handbook, which is provided to students at the start of the programme, outlines our mitigation policy and the support available to them.
If a student is successful in gaining a place on MAP, they will be expected to complete and pass all compulsory modules and can take part in any optional events that they are interested in.
Students will spend approximately 50 hours on MAP, including independent study time taken to complete the academic assignment.
We try to schedule activities around school and college commitments and, where possible, give students a choice of dates to attend any live online workshops or activities. We, therefore, do not expect students to miss any classes for MAP.
Each student signs up to the MAP Student Charter at the beginning of the programme. This is a two-way commitment and sets out what the MAP team expects from students, what students can expect from us and our disciplinary procedures.
Our MAP staff Character sets expectations for how university staff participate in and deliver both in-person and online MAP activities.
The Manchester Access Programme does not guarantee entry to The University of Manchester.
If a student successfully completes MAP, they are eligible for a reduced offer of up to two A-level grades (or equivalent, depending on the qualifications they study), but will still need to meet this reduced offer to gain entry to the University*.
*Subject-specific grade requirements may still apply for some courses. Only students on the Medicine strand are eligible for the reduced offer for Medicine, and only students on the Dentistry strand of MAP are eligible for the reduced offer for Dentistry. The reduced MAP offer does not apply to any foundation or pre-entry year courses.
If at confirmation of A-level results your child does not meet their reduced MAP offer, then they are not guaranteed a place at The University of Manchester. All decisions are at the discretion of the Admissions Tutors.
Further information
If you want to find out more about the Manchester Access Programme, please email map@manchester.ac.uk.
For general information for parents and carers of young people considering attending the University, explore our guide for supporters.