Manchester Met named as top-performing University for EDI
Manchester Metropolitan has secured the top spot in the recent Higher Education Honordex report, highlighting our success as a leader in EDI within the UK higher education sector.
The findings recognise the significant strides we have made in fostering an inclusive and diverse environment, distinguishing ourselves from other institutions in a sector where progress has often been slow.
The report, which highlights our comprehensive approach to EDI, ranks universities based on 68 metrics across six key areas: explicit EDI support, inclusive teams, working and learning conditions, actions and data, leadership, and additional information. It highlights our ability to translate talk into action, an area where many universities have struggled.
While the sector average score was 41 out of 100, we achieved the highest score at 62.1 points, showing that we have effectively integrated diversity and inclusion initiatives into our everyday practices. This includes demonstrating a robust leadership commitment to EDI, which we committed to in our Inclusive and Diverse Culture Strategy, and that the report highlights as crucial for driving real change.
Commenting on the achievements, Professor Jenny Watling, Chair of the EDI Strategy Board at Manchester Metropolitan, said: “We are immensely proud to be recognised for our ongoing efforts to create an intentionally inclusive community, which enriches the University experience for students, colleagues and visitors. We remain committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for everyone and these achievements demonstrate our clear progress and firm commitment to address inequities and create opportunities for everyone to flourish.”
The report was published during the same week that the University received the Aziz Inclusion Award for 2024. The award, given by the Aziz Foundation, celebrates our ongoing efforts to increase access to higher education highlights our dedication to creating an inclusive and equitable environment for all students.
The Aziz Foundation, committed to supporting British Muslims in higher education and community development, offers match-funded tuition fee scholarships for master’s degrees. These prestigious scholarships empower individuals from disadvantaged or underrepresented communities, helping them excel in their fields while contributing to a more inclusive society.
As a preferred partner, Manchester Met offers scholarships for the 2025/26 academic year in subjects such as MA Animation, MA Creative Writing, MSc Evaluation and Policy Analysis, MA Multimedia Journalism, and MSc Sport and Exercise Science.
Reflecting on his experience, Matthew Johnson, an MSc Evaluation and Policy Analysis student, said: “As the recipient of a scholarship from the Aziz Foundation, I feel incredibly privileged to be studying at Manchester Metropolitan. I’m thrilled that the University has received the Aziz Foundation Inclusion Award, which acknowledges its commitment to creating a welcoming environment for students of all backgrounds, ages, and beliefs.
“With a large Muslim community among students and colleagues and excellent prayer facilities, I feel honored to be part of this vibrant and diverse institution, and grateful for the support that’s helping me achieve my academic and personal goals.”
Click here to find out more about applying for an Aziz Foundation Scholarship for postgraduate study (2025/26).
