About University of Manchester
We’re committed to world-class research, outstanding learning and student experience, and social responsibility in everything we do.
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Why Manchester?
Our world-leading research and reputation are just some of the reasons why the University of Manchester is the best place for you to study for your master’s.
As part of the prestigious Russell Group of universities, the University of Manchester is highly respected globally as a centre of teaching excellence and innovative research. Our students are equipped with skill sets, perceptive industry knowledge and prestigious qualifications that set them apart from the crowd.
With 25 Nobel Prize winners among our current and former staff and students, we have a history of world-firsts and brilliant discoveries, from splitting the atom to giving the world graphene. Find out how world-class academic research is commercialised by scientists, engineers, medical professionals, business leaders and policymakers at Manchester.
Research Beacons
We take pride in our cutting-edge, high-quality research, with a breadth of research activity near unmatched anywhere else in the UK, with 83% of our research quality assessed as ‘world-leading or ‘internationally excellent’ in the Research Excellence Framework 2014.
Much of our interdisciplinary research is combined with expertise from our leading academics to bring out the best results in research findings and provide innovative solutions to the world’s most significant challenges.
Crucially for the University of Manchester, social responsibility is at the core of everything we do; our research beacons also demonstrate our commitment to making a difference, enabling us to improve the lives of people worldwide through our research.
Heritage & History
The University of Manchester has a storied and illustrious history. The first civic university established in England with a strong desire to improve people’s lives through teaching and research, and that sentiment remains steadfast in the present time.
The University of Manchester, in its current form, was created in 2004 with the amalgamation of the Victoria University of Manchester and the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) to become the largest single-site university in the UK.
With close to 2 centuries of achievement behind us, we are proud to have 25 Nobel laureates among our current and former staff and students.
Our Purpose and Strategic Vision
This new vision and strategic plan for The University of Manchester will take us into our third century. It builds on a rich heritage of discovery, social change and pioneering spirit that is at the heart of our University.
Our purpose
To advance education, knowledge and wisdom for the good of society.
Our Vision
To be recognised globally for the excellence of our community, research, learning and innovation, as well as the benefits we bring to society and the environment.
Our Values
At Manchester, our actions are rooted in the 6 core values that we strive to bring to life:
Knowledge
We are ambitious in our pursuit of new ideas, greater understanding and discovery.
Wisdom
We share and apply our knowledge and experience to guide balanced and evidenced decisions for ourselves and for society.
Humanity
We embrace and celebrate difference, respect and support each other, and act with integrity to benefit society and the environment by transforming and enriching lives.
Academic freedom
We support with enthusiasm and vigour the principles of freedom of thought and speech
Courage
We think and speak freely, and act boldly to challenge assumptions and shape our future for the greater good.
Pioneering spirit
In the radical Manchester spirit, and inspired by our people, history and scale, we create the exceptional.
Strategic Plan
Our strategic 5-year vision and plan aims to incorporate these values into three core goals, Research and Discovery, Teaching and Learning, and Social Responsibility, as well as four themes, Our People, Innovation, Civic Engagement, and Global Influence; letting these guide and underpin everything we do as we look towards achieving our goals by 2025.
Explore our core goals and themes.
Social Responsibility
As the UK’s only university to have social responsibility as a core goal, the University of Manchester is leading the world by directly tackling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations (UN). Through our cutting-edge research, collaborations and partnerships, with our five research beacons – Advanced Materials, Cancer, Energy, Global Inequalities and Industrial Biotechnology, the university is dedicated to solving the world’s biggest health, equality and sustainability challenges.
Our continued dedication to the 17 SDGs and the quality and scale of our contributions towards them have recently been recognised and ranked first overall in the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings in 2021.