By Charlotte Regen

Copyright manchestereveningnews

Manchester Metropolitan University is calling for celebration.

The university has just been announced as ‘Modern University of the Year 2025’ by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide.

The prestigious title celebrates institutions making outstanding progress across the areas students and employers value most: teaching quality, the overall student experience, graduate prospects, and the strength of research and innovation.

Professor Malcolm Press CBE DL, vice-chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “Being named Modern University of the Year 2025 is a tremendous achievement and a fantastic recognition of the dedication, creativity, and hard work of colleagues across Manchester Met.

“It reflects the progress we’ve made in teaching, research, and the student experience, as well as the impact of our career pathways that enable colleagues to excel in education, practice, and innovation.

“This award is a milestone we can all be proud of and a testament to what we can achieve together as a university community.”

Momentum across key measures

The announcement follows a run of milestones for Manchester Met:

Excellent National Student Survey (NSS) results in July, with 85.8% of students reporting overall positivity about their experience A jump into the top 40 of the Guardian University Guide for 2025, the university’s highest-ever position in that ranking Shortlisted for University of the Year by the Daily Mail, citing rising reputation, excellent teaching, and an inclusive, supportive student environment Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold status continued, the highest possible rating for consistently outstanding teaching, learning and student outcomes

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “It is great to see Manchester Metropolitan University named Modern University of the Year 2025, a thoroughly deserved achievement.

“Manchester Met has gone from strength to strength in recent years and has been vital to our economic success, providing innovation and skill at the heart of our global city region. We will continue to support the university on this journey as it inspires young people across the city region.”

Why it matters for students, staff and the region

For prospective students, a Modern University of the Year title is a strong signal of quality and momentum. It indicates teaching and support that help students thrive, and courses connected to the needs of employers through embedded practice, placements, and real-world learning.

For graduates, it points to strong outcomes and a growing network with employers who recognise the university’s strengths.

For staff and researchers, it recognises the work behind the scenes including programme design, scholarships, and a culture that invests in inclusivity and student support, whilst for regional stakeholders, it highlights effective collaboration with civic partners, the NHS, schools, organisations and businesses to deliver skills, innovation and social impact across Greater Manchester and beyond.

Third-year student, Yelyzaveta Umarova (Lizzie), moved from Ukraine to study Business Management with Modern Language (Mandarin) at Manchester Met two years ago.

She said: “When I moved to Manchester, it opened so many doors for me. People have been really friendly, I found my partner here and have my flat, and there are so many opportunities for young people. The people in Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan have really contributed to me feeling that this is my home, and I have enjoyed my entire experience here.

“The university has been really supportive – there are great tutors and a great mental health team that have helped me through the course.”

Research and sustainability credentials

The university says 90% of its research is rated as internationally excellent, underscoring a portfolio that spans health, creativity, and advanced manufacturing.

Manchester Met also points to a long-standing sustainability profile, stating it has been rated among the top five most sustainable universities in the UK for the past 12 years. These strengths inform teaching and student opportunities, connecting classroom learning with research-led discovery and practical impact.

A bright future ahead

Recently having marked its 200th anniversary in 2024, Manchester Metropolitan University is home to around 43,000 students and an alumni community of more than 340,000 graduates worldwide.

That scale supports a rich set of options across subjects and study modes, underpinned by student services designed to help learners from diverse backgrounds access, succeed, and progress into rewarding careers.

The university plans to share student and staff stories both across campus and online that illustrate how its teaching excellence, support, and real-world experience combine to deliver positive outcomes.

Cody Gapare MBA, multi-award-winning inventor of the first-ever false eyelash for cancer and alopecia sufferers and an alumna of Manchester Met, said: “When I first came to Manchester Met, I had a business idea, but I wasn’t clear what I needed to do to bring it to market.

“But when I came to study my MBA at the university, that allowed me to turn my idea into an actual business. It has allowed me to realise that there was more to me than a girl who grew up in Zimbabwe who was told that she couldn’t do what I wanted to do.”

As Manchester Met celebrate its recent achievements and progress in various areas, it is clear that the university is going from strength to strength, and cementing its position as a leader in the higher education sector for students, the city region, and the global community.

Explore courses, upcoming events and ways to engage with the university here.