Equal opportunities

Whether it’s delivering outreach programmes in schools, building relationships in the local community, or providing support for those who need it most, Manchester Metropolitan has always been a university that has opened its doors.

Providing equal opportunities for everyone to fulfil their potential when applying for university, during their experience studying, and beyond into their careers, is one of the University’s key commitments.

The University has established many scholarships and programmes, supporting and encouraging those from backgrounds who may face barriers accessing higher education, and is one of the leading universities for the inclusivity of under-represented and disadvantaged students.

While there is still a lot to be done to ensure diversity and equality is achieved across the higher education sector, at Manchester Metropolitan there is a real determination to improve access for all.

And it is a goal that is shared by many individuals and businesses in the UK and internationally who choose to support the University philanthropically.

This includes the University’s flagship First Generation Scholarship Programme, which is supported by donors, and provides students studying and living in Greater Manchester, who are the first in their family to go to university, with continued financial and professional support throughout their time at University.

In 2020/21, 51 per cent of undergraduate students who enrolled at Manchester Metropolitan were the first in their family to come to university.

Of those students, 141 were recruited into the University through the First Generation Scholarship Programme and 76 per cent were from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

The most recent data published by the Office for Students (2017/18) shows the University has more students from low-income backgrounds than any other institution.

Peter Riley, Head of Widening Participation at Manchester Metropolitan, said: “We work extremely hard to ensure we are doing all we can to improve young people’s aspirations and increase the participation of those who are under-represented in higher education.

“We want to make sure there are no barriers to studying in higher education.”

But the real impact of what the University is trying to achieve can only be fully appreciated by hearing from those who benefit directly from the additional support provided.

SJM Concerts Futures Scholarship

A few years ago, 20-year-old Mia McDonald (pictured above) didn’t know much about university, but now she is almost at the end of her first year studying Business Management and Law at Manchester Metropolitan.

She is just one of thousands of students to have found a route to succeed through one of the University’s many widening participation programmes, having successfully applied for a donor-funded scholarship.

McDonald was accepted onto the SJM Concerts Futures Scholarship programme, which offers additional support for students from low-income backgrounds, who are of Black, Asian and mixed heritage.

The scholarship will support a total of 36 students over three years, studying events, business, law and music and sound design courses.

It was launched in September 2020 by SJM Concerts – a Manchester-based company at the forefront of the live UK music market – in a bid to help the ongoing fight for equality, in particular in response to events surrounding the death of George Floyd and the global protests that followed. Upon hearing about the work of Manchester Metropolitan, SJM Concerts found the University to be “the obvious choice” and provided a range of creative courses that it was “keen to support”.

Chris Wareing (pictured above), Promoter at SJM Concerts, said: “We started the SJM Scholarship to enable those from diverse and less privileged backgrounds to enter the creative industry via higher education, to empower them to fulfil creative roles in the future – particularly within the music industry.

“Working predominantly within Black music and culture I get a small insight into the inequality that Black and other ethnic minority backgrounds face and it can be extremely frustrating, even from my position.

“As a company, it is important for us to support those we work with to make an impact and hopefully a difference where possible. It’s clear that we can use our position to make a difference.”

Race inequality

There remain significant variations in the outcomes of higher education between Black, Asian, and ethnic minority students and those of White students. Retention rates are lower for all ethnic groups (apart from students of Chinese and Indian ethnicity) compared with their White peers, and students from a Black Caribbean background have the highest non-continuation rates of all ethnic groups. Degree outcomes can also vary by ethnicity.

And these problems stretch into the creative industry. “Black, Asian and mixed-race professionals are severely underrepresented within the music industry,” explained Wareing.

“When we’re recruiting, it’s rare that a culturally diverse range of people apply. Whilst there could be several reasons for this, I feel there is a lack of encouragement and support for Black students specifically, to go on and pursue careers in creative industries via higher education.

“It is important for us to understand that there is a void, highlight the underrepresentation and show support, inspiring prospective students to consider higher education as a viable option to enter a career in creative industries.

“We would like to see people from all backgrounds feeling comfortable when applying for positions and occupying executive roles within our industry.”

Professor Jenny Watling, Pro-Vice-Chancellor International and the University Executive Group lead for race equality, said: “We’re delighted to be able to partner with SJM Concerts for these scholarships.

“Racism and discrimination have no place in our society. Our University’s aim is be a safe community, free from racism and discrimination, and one that welcomes everyone and supports them all to reach their full potential.

“We believe the support from companies like SJM will have a real impact on the lives of students like Mia and play a part in addressing the attainment gap in higher education experienced by some ethnic minority communities.”

McDonald, from Guyana in South America, now living in Newcastle, was one of the first students to receive the SJM Concerts Futures Scholarship.

She is the first person in her family to come to university and her aspirations are truly ambitious, with dreams of owning multiple businesses in the UK and in Guyana.

But her highly motivational attitude to life also comes alongside her own experiences of racism and inequality that hasn’t always made her feel so determined.

“It makes you feel less of a person,” she said.

“The experiences I’ve had – being refused service in a shop or having abuse shouted at me just walking down the street – it’s really hurtful. Many of us are just trying to do day-to-day things – you don’t expect to receive any hate for it.”

So, upon joining the University, the SJM Concerts Futures Scholarship was one that really resonated with her, and one that she knew she had to try and achieve.

And once that was accomplished, she admitted to never feeling so motivated to achieve her dreams.

“I am so grateful to receive the scholarship,” she said.

“I applied because I wanted to be part of something and have my name associated with something that I’m really passionate about.

“It’s made me feel like there’s someone out there that’s supporting me and is looking out for the best of me other than just myself or my mum.

“It’s really helped take the pressure off financially too. University only happens once, and this means I can enjoy the full experience without having to spend time relying on having a fulltime job on the side.”

Since receiving the scholarship, McDonald says she has experienced an increase in enthusiasm and even her university grades.

“I’m not sure why it is, but I feel more motivated and confident now and that’s reflected in my grades,” she said. “I started the year achieving grades in the third band, but since receiving the scholarship I’m achieving a 2:1 (upper second class) in my assignments.”

Now, the young entrepreneur hopes she can use the scholarship and her own experiences to spread the word and encourage other young people, from similar backgrounds to herself, to come to university.

McDonald added: “No-one wants to be somewhere that they feel uncomfortable or by themselves, so a scholarship dedicated to Black, Asian and ethnic minority students is so important for us to feel seen, heard and appreciated. I’m certain that this will encourage more young people from these backgrounds to come to university and I’d be proud to be a voice to encourage that.

“The George Floyd incident and the Black Lives Matter movement have really opened a lot of people’s eyes in the last year and I’d really like to thank SJM Concerts and the University for educating themselves on what was happening and seeing and believing in people of colour.

“It wasn’t a comfortable thing for people to realise but I’m really glad that so many did.”

Addressing the gap

Hearing about how students are already benefiting from the scholarship, Wareing said that SJM Concerts were “pleased to provide this opportunity” and hopes that the scholarship would “help with the higher education gap”.

He said: “It’s great to give something back and to hear that the scholarship is already inspiring young people to pursue further education and a professional career in our industry.

“We need to acknowledge that there are gaps in opportunities for Black and underrepresented minority groups and do more to close those gaps, welcoming people from different backgrounds and cultures and using the diversity to our advantage rather than using it as a barrier to progress.

“We look forward to welcoming more in the future.”