Manchester Metropolitan University

Manchester Metropolitan University is well situated to increase access to postgraduate study for British Muslims. Half of its entrants are among the first in their family to progress to higher education and 34% of the student population identify as having a BAME background. It also admits more students from low-income households than almost any other UK university.

Located in Manchester, which has a higher percentage of Muslims compared to the average for England and where up to 40% of children live in households with an income below the poverty line, the institution is particularly intent on improving access to postgraduate courses in the arts and humanities for BAME students.

As well as appointing their first female Muslim chaplain alongside its existing full-time chaplain, the chaplaincy service offers pastoral and wellbeing support to communities of faith on campus. Alongside the development of a new chaplaincy office, plans have recently been approved for a major refurbishment of Muslim Prayer Rooms.

The University’s commitment to tackling Islamophobia is evident, as it runs Islamophobia awareness workshops, as well as educational programmes for student union staff.