Our Past, Present and Future

Discover our 200-year story of making a difference.

200 years of learning, innovation and research. 200 years of our incredible people.

And an unforgettable bicentenary year, with celebrations on campus, across our city and around the world.

White 200 on a purple background.

Celebrating 200 years: Our bicentenary highlights

We look back on a momentous 12 months for The University of Manchester – a unique celebration of our rich history, incredible achievements and inspirational people.
A smiling student.

Bicentenary PhD Studentships and Fellowships

We're recruiting and funding more than 200 early career researchers.
An old image of the UMIST campus.

Celebrating UMIST – and a 200-year story of innovation

An important chapter in our history is that of UMIST.
Bicentenary Way stones in situ.

Bicentenary Way

Uncover the story of our origins, innovations and the people behind them since 1824.
Two people crouch to plant a tree.

200 trees for 200 years

We’ve teamed with City of Trees, planting 200 trees to mark our bicentenary.
GRRRL performing at Universally Manchester Festival.

Universally Manchester Festival: In pictures

Relive highlights from our unforgettable bicentenary festival in June 2024.

Talk 200

April McMahon, Duncan Ivison, Naa Acquah and William McArthur discuss the University’s legacy and ongoing commitment to addressing the removal of barriers from access to education.
'Manchester minds' book on display.

Celebrating 'Manchester minds'

New book highlights key figures throughout our 200-year history.

Origins and Innovations: Historic campus tours

Take the self-guided tours of our University created in our bicentenary year – in person and on campus, or remotely, from wherever you are in the world.

Made in Manchester competition

View the winning artworks from our bicentenary student competition.
Attendees explore Bicentenary Way.

A lasting legacy

The latest names on Bicentenary Way have been unveiled.
Delegates at the THE World Academic Summit.

Hosting the THE World Academic Summit

We were honoured to host the THE World Academic Summit in our bicentenary year.
The Quatuor Danel perform on stage.

Night of music and drama

We hosted an evening of classical performance as part of our bicentenary celebrations.
The Sculpts' bicentenary design.

Design partnership celebrates 200-year history

The University teamed up with The Sculpts on a commemorative design.

Lighting up for our 200th celebration.

Read and watch highlights from our spectacular Light Up event, when we 'painted the town purple'.
Exterior of the National Graphene Institute.

20 years of graphene

We celebrated 20 years of graphene in our bicentenary year.

Bicentenary identity guidelines

Join in the celebrations and create your own communications and marketing materials using our bicentenary identity guidelines.

Download identity guidelines (PDF, 1.88MB)