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Manchester Prioritisation Model 2026 launched

18 Feb 2026

The latest iteration of the Manchester Prioritisation Model (MPM) is now available, providing data to support the targeting of widening participation activity at Manchester.

The MPM is the University’s in-house targeting tool, offering demographic and attainment data for all schools and colleges in England. The 2026 release directly supports Objectives 1 and 2 of the University’s latest Access and Participation Plan, and includes updated data on:

  • the proportion of pupils eligible for Free School Meals (FSM)
  • the proportion of pupils from Tracking Underrepresentation by Area (TUNDRA) Quintile 1
  • the proportion of Black pupils

Understanding MPM ratings

Institutions with available data are assigned a rating from 1A to 5E. Institutions in Scotland, Wales, Ireland, as well as independent schools, alternative provision, and special schools, are not given an MPM rating.

- The number (1–5) indicates the level of deprivation, with:

  • 1 representing institutions in the highest 20% of deprivation
  • 5 representing institutions in the lowest 20% of deprivation

- The letter (A–E) represents attainment, with:

  • A indicating institutions in the lowest 20% for attainment
  • E indicating institutions in the highest 20% for attainment

Institutions should be prioritised first by level of deprivation, and then by attainment. All institutions rated 1A–2E are considered target (WP) schools. A dedicated WP school filter is available within MPM to identify these institutions quickly.

New highlights in MPM 2026

This latest version also flags institutions with:

  • a high proportion of Black pupils
  • a high proportion of TUNDRA Quintile 1 pupils
  • a high proportion of IMD Quintile 1 pupils

While we recommend using MPM ratings as the primary method of targeting, these additional indicators can support activities with specific targeting requirements, such as those focused on Black pupils.

Join the MPM 2026 Demo

Jack Walker, Student Data, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer in the Access Success and Student Development Team, will be hosting an online demonstration of MPM 2026 on:

  • 23 February, 3:00–4:00pm

The session will showcase all new features and provide an opportunity for colleagues across the University to ask questions.