Give a helping hand to a talented person from a disadvantaged background
17 Jul 2025
Supporting Manchester students is one of three good causes supported by The University of Manchester’s Purple Pennies pot.
Graduation season has started, a time for students to celebrate their achievement with loved ones. Walking across the stage in Whitworth Hall symbolises the culmination of years of hard work and determination.
For some students, reaching the end of their studies was not easy. Rising cost of living and wealth inequality threatens to jeopardise the university experience– and those from disadvantaged backgrounds are affected the most.
More students than ever are at risk of missing out – not just on their studies, but on the experiences that help them thrive at university, and beyond.
Your support today will give students the helping hand they need to get here – and thrive once they do.
Over 300 of this year’s graduands have received donor-funded scholarships, providing critical financial support in each year of their studies. And the same number have also benefited from Access to Graduation Grants. These grants help cover the costs of attending graduation, including gown hire, transportation, photography and accommodation. Without donor support, many of these students wouldn’t have been able to experience their Manchester graduation moment.
Donors support students in many other ways too:
- More than 500 young people took part in the Manchester Access Programme – the University’s central widening participation scheme for local Year 12 students in Greater Manchester. 179 went on to take up a place at The University of Manchester in September 2024
- More than 1,000 students are currently studying at Manchester with support from a donor-funded scholarship
- £98,000 has been distributed to students in need of immediate help through the Cost-of-Living-Support-Fund
- The Global Graduate program gives students opportunities to gain career-boosting skills and experience
From classroom to career, your support today gives students the helping hand they need to get here – and to thrive once they do.
I’ll give a helping hand
Want to give Manchester students a helping hand?
- Donate the pennies from your pay slip by signing up for Purple Pennies. Supporting Manchester students is one of three good causes supported by The University of Manchester’s Purple Pennies pot.
- If you’d like to support Manchester students with a regular gift, the easiest and most tax effective way to make your donation is with a payroll gift via Purple Pounds - the University’s very own payroll giving scheme.
- Take on your own fundraising challenge to support students at Manchester. Colleagues have previously organised bake sales, done sponsored walks, and participated in the Purplewave. Set up a JustGiving page to start fundraising.