Socially responsible graduates
The University of Manchester produce more graduates each year than any other campus-based university in the UK.
As key citizens and leaders of tomorrow, we want to ensure they represent the widest range of social backgrounds and develop not only academic and professional skills, but also a sense of ethical, social and environmental responsibility towards the societies they will serve.
Here are just some examples of the activities our students get involved in to make a difference.
Our Stellify Award is a unique University of Manchester award available to both undergraduate and postgraduate taught students, supporting personal development and graduate outcomes alongside their studies.
All students who complete a specific set of Stellify activities receive our Stellify Award at graduation – the most prestigious extra-curricular accolade at the University. The Award includes components from the Ethical Grand Challenge programme where students develop their skills and knowledge to become more socially responsible graduates. Students will get involved in leadership roles to contribute towards the wider University and overall student experience, and contribute to communities across Manchester and beyond through volunteering activities.
Our Careers Service is available to support students to articulate their achievements and activities verbally and as part of written applications for employment or further education as they progress with their Stellify journey. The Stellify team are also able to answer any questions too.
Students may also like to explore how to embrace learning without boundaries through our University College for Interdisciplinary Learning offer and comprehensive Study Abroad and placements programmes. These provide opportunities for students to broaden their educational horizons by offering educational experiences outside of their discipline, in areas of profound social and scientific importance.
All undergraduate students are encouraged to explore some of the biggest challenges facing society by completing our Ethical Grand Challenges. Ethical Grand Challenges allows students to learn about three of the biggest challenges facing the world in the 21st century - sustainability, social justice and workplace ethics.
These online and face-to-face activities give our students tools and information to become more socially responsible graduates. Completion of two of three challenges also counts towards the Stellify Award.
1. Sustainability challenge (online)
In the Sustainability Challenge, students juggle the demands of developing a new campus for the fictitious University of Millchester, balancing cost and energy efficiency, with the needs of the local community and wider society.
2. Social justice challenge (online)
The Social Justice Challenge gives students a chance to discover how they can support human rights and work to build fairer communities. It explores themes such as race, migration, homelessness, mental health and education, all through the lens of social justice.
3. Workplace ethics challenge (online and in-person)
The Workplace ethics challenge prepares students for the ethical challenges commonly faced by graduates in their early careers. Topics covered include bullying, harassment and safeguarding. Online and in-person workshops feature a range of training scenarios that encourage students to consider ethical dilemmas in real-life work situations.
Find out more on our Ethical Grand Challenges website.
We offer a range of volunteering opportunities for all our students to get involved in; from supporting other students to getting involved in charities and not for profit organisations in the wider community. Students can find out more through our Volunteering Hub.
Students can also get involved in volunteering and fundraising through the Students’ Union.
Our University College for Interdisciplinary Learning (UCIL) allows students to study outside their normal course through a range of online, blended, and in-person units that aim to tackle the key questions facing society in the 21st century.
For example, no matter what their degree, students can study a course unit on:
- Sustainability and sustainable development
- Mental health
- Digital society
- Climate change
- AI
- And many more.
UCIL units equip students with invaluable knowledge and skills which will complement their studies and increase employability. UCIL provides a unique learning experience by giving students a chance to meet and study with students from different degree programmes across the University.
All UCIL units are credit-bearing like any other within our degree programmes.
Positive contributions to society are embedded into many forms of teaching and learning activities in the University. Examples include students providing community-based research on linguistic diversity, public and patient engagement through health programmes, postgraduate consultancy projects for local charities and cultural sector organisations, and pro bono support by students through our Legal Advice Centre. You can find out more on our Service learning pages.
Our massive open online courses – or MOOCs – allow us to engage people from around the world with an exciting variety of our study opportunities. All that’s needed is an Internet connection. They’re free of charge and a typical MOOC lasts six to eight weeks.