Manchester Access Programme

If you’re a Year 12 student that lives or studies in Greater Manchester and meets specific academic and background criteria, you could join MAP and demonstrate your potential to succeed at university.

MAP aims to support your entry to The University of Manchester – or to another research-intensive university – through the completion of a portfolio of work that demonstrates specific knowledge and skills to support you in becoming a successful university student. Places on the MAP are limited and are subject to an application process.

Benefits

  • Advice and guidance for your UCAS application and personal statement. If you decide to apply to The University of Manchester, you’ll also receive an early decision on your application;
  • All students who successfully complete MAP and go on to study at the University of Manchester will receive a bursary of £1,000 per year throughout the duration of their undergraduate course;
  • A reduced offer of up to two A-level grades (or equivalent) below the standard entry offer (e.g. AAA could become ABB) upon successful completion of MAP.

Eligibility

Greater Manchester pupils wishing to join the Manchester Access Programme (MAP) must meet all of the essential criteria and at least one of the priority criteria.

Essential criteria

To be eligible to apply MAP you must meet all of the following criteria:

  • live in Greater Manchester or study at a school or college in Greater Manchester;
  • attend a state, post-16 school or college, and are studying a two-year Level 3 qualification equivalent to three A-levels (such as A-levels or a BTEC);
  • be a Year 12 (lower sixth) student when you apply;
  • have at least five GCSEs at grade 6 or above (or equivalent, such as GNVQ, BTEC) when you apply. If this does not include English Language and Mathematics, you will need at least a grade 4 in these subjects;
  • attended state-maintained schools for the entirety of your education (ie you haven’t paid for your education at any point);
  • neither parent nor carer has a university-level degree or equivalent in the UK or abroad. An application may be considered if a parent/carer is currently studying their first degree or graduated in the last ten years;
  • be a home registered student or expect to be a UK national or have ‘settled status’ (as per the government guidance) by the time you start a university degree.
Priority criteria

You also have to meet at least one of the socio-economic or personal background priority criteria listed on the Manchester Access Programme website.

Medicine or Dentistry strand

If you wish to apply for the Medicine or Dentistry strand of MAP you also need to meet additional GCSE requirements. Please see the full eligibility criteria here.

Please note: The above criteria was set for MAP 2023- the eligibility criteria for MAP 2024 is subject to change. 


How to apply

MAP 2023 applications are now closed, information about MAP 2024 will be updated in October 2023.

Find out more

For further information, including what is involved in MAP, how to apply, and additional benefits of the scheme, please visit the Manchester Access Programme website.

Contact information

If you want to find out more about the Manchester Access Programme or ask the team a question, please email map@manchester.ac.uk.

This information is accurate as of December 2022 and is subject to change.