News | Thursday, 9th September 2021

First Generation Scholarship Programme shortlisted for Times Higher Education Award

University initiative named as finalist in the Widening Participation/Outreach Initiative of the Year category

Manchester Metropolitan University’s First Generation Scholarship Programme, which supports young people who are the first in their family to go to university, has been shortlisted in the Times Higher Education Awards 2021. 

The initiative has been shortlisted in the ‘Widening Participation/Outreach Initiative of the Year’ category at the higher education sector’s flagship awards ceremony, which recognises excellence in academia and professional services. 

The First Generation Scholarship Programme, which is co-funded by the University and donors to the University, delivers practical support and application guidance to Year 12 and 13 students, whose parents or guardians did not have the same opportunities to go to university, to help them access and transition to higher education. 

First Generation Scholars studying at Manchester Metropolitan receive a bursary of £1,000 in their first year and the opportunity to attend a fully-funded employability event/programme alongside continued professional support throughout their studies. 

In addition to providing a support network, mentorship and connections, the Programme aims to give students the self-belief to know that university is a place where they will be accepted, thrive, and find the confidence to follow their ambitions.  

Helen Lord, Recruitment and Widening Participation Manager at Manchester Metropolitan, said: “To be recognised in the shortlist at the Times Higher Education Awards shows the fantastic impact that our First Generation initiative is having on many young people’s lives. 

“Many students have been supported through the access phase of the Programme since its launch in 2017, with 296 students receiving scholarships and ongoing professional support throughout their studies. We are delighted to welcome a further 130 Scholars due to enrol at Manchester Met next week.   

“This year we saw our first cohort of First Generation Scholars complete their studies and we have seen first-hand the difference the Programme has made to their lives and their families. This shortlisting is a recognition of a team effort, which brings together colleagues across the University who support the Programme as well as our external stakeholders, which includes our amazing donors who jointly funded the initiative with the University.” 

The Times Higher Education (THE) award for the Widening Participation/Outreach Initiative of the Year is awarded to “the most imaginative and innovative project that promotes diversity and encourages people from non-traditional backgrounds to enter higher education or extends the reach of the institution to new areas of activity”.  

This shortlisting is a recognition of a team effort, which brings together colleagues across the University who support the Programme as well as our external stakeholders, which includes our amazing donors who jointly funded the initiative with the University.

The winner will be announced at the 17th annual THE Awards gala dinner and ceremony on Thursday, November 25, 2021. 

THE editor John Gill said: “This is the 17th year that the THE Awards will recognise the best of the best in UK higher education, across 20 categories covering all aspects of university activity. But this year’s awards will reflect a period of turmoil and innovation necessitated by the pandemic, making it quite unlike any previous year. 

“For the first time this year, we have also extended our awards to include higher education institutions in Ireland, and we are delighted to say that we have had a record number of entries, reflecting the brilliance of universities across the whole of the UK and Ireland. With almost 600 institutions, teams and individuals nominated, it really is a fantastic achievement to make it onto this year’s shortlist.  

“We look forward to celebrating the incredible response of university staff in exceptionally tough circumstances when we gather for the Oscars of higher education in November.” 

For further details on the First Generation Programme and the students supported visit www.mmu.ac.uk/firstgeneration.