Prime Highlight
- Manchester Metropolitan University and The University of Manchester will offer a 10% discount on postgraduate taught degrees to alumni starting in September 2026.
- The initiative aims to widen access to postgraduate study, support career development, and strengthen Manchester’s regional talent pipeline.
Key Facts
- This is the first time two UK universities have collaborated to provide a shared fee reduction for their alumni.
- The partnership aligns with the Government’s Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, promoting cooperation to improve student opportunities and regional growth.
Background
Manchester Metropolitan University and The University of Manchester have launched a joint alumni program. Starting in September 2026, graduates from both universities will get a 10% discount on postgraduate taught degrees. This is the first time two UK universities have teamed up to offer a shared fee reduction for their alumni.
The scheme aims to widen access to postgraduate study, support career development, and help strengthen Manchester’s growing talent pipeline. University leaders said the partnership also aligns with the Government’s Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, which encourages universities to work more closely together to improve student opportunities and drive regional growth.
Professor Malcolm Press, Vice-Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University, said the initiative reflects the long-standing cooperation between the two universities. He noted that the scheme shows “tangible progress towards deeper, more strategic partnerships” and highlighted the shared commitment to supporting local communities.
Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, said the partnership will help more people get advanced learning and build stronger, more skilled communities. He added that the partnership will deepen global ties with alumni and marks the beginning of a broader strategic relationship between the two institutions.
Both universities share a history dating back over 200 years to the founding of the Manchester Mechanics Institution in 1824. Today, Manchester is one of Europe’s largest student cities, with both universities recognised for their academic excellence. Their joint School of Architecture ranks fifth in the world, and joint initiatives such as the Greater Manchester University Mental Health Service already link the institutions with regional partners.
Full details on eligibility, programme coverage, and application processes will be released in early 2026.
