About our bicentenary

It’s our bicentenary – and throughout 2024 we’re marking 200 years of learning, innovation and research. 200 years of our incredible people. 200 years of global influence.

In 2024 we’re celebrating our bicentenary: 200 years of The University of Manchester.

There’s a lot to be proud of, to reflect upon – and to look forward to the discoveries, achievements and stories to come.

This milestone year presents a unique opportunity to bring our community together. We have a packed programme across the 12 months, from special events to competitions and campus tours, as well as our flagship Universally Manchester Festival in June. There really is something for everyone.

For the past two centuries we’ve been spearheading change and making a real difference in our city, nation and beyond.

Since 1824 we’ve been:

  • creating communities – from staff to our current students and more than 500,000 alumni in more than 190 countries.
  • pioneering discovery – we've a history of world-changing achievements and are ranked among the leading research universities globally. 
  • sharing our knowledge – we challenge and transform our students, giving learners of all ages and backgrounds the chance to contribute to positive change.
  • providing insight and innovation – from AI to the isolation of graphene, Manchester remains a hotbed for transformative ideas.
  • globally connected – we attract high-quality staff and students from across the world and undertake research with a global impact.
  • proudly Mancunian – from our beginnings as England's first civic university in its 'original modern' city, we have broken down boundaries and improved the lives of local people.

Our bicentenary celebrations are shaped not only by our past, but also our present and future – and represent an opportunity to learn from what’s gone before to inform what’s to come.

It’s also a time to celebrate our staff, students, alumni, residents and wider community.

After all, it’s our people who make us what we are today.