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Students as Partners - funding now available for new Student-Staff partnership projects!

30 Oct 2025

The Student Partnership Team has secured funding from the Manchester Access and Success Fund through the Division of Development and Alumni Relations to expand our ‘Students as Partners’ programme for the second year running. This will enable us to fund an additional 4 Student Student-Staff Partnership projects for the 25/26 academic year.

Students as partners

What types of projects will be funded? 

We are looking to fund partnership projects which explore ideas around improving teaching, learning and the student experience for underrepresented or disadvantaged students, and particularly for the University’s new Access and Participation Plan target groups. Second priority will be given to any projects relating to other key institutional aims, for example NSS objectives around assessment and feedback or student voice.

How will this work? 

If you have an idea for a project relating to any of the above themes but lack funding to pay a Student Partner, then complete this application for by midday Wednesday 12 November.

What is ‘Students as Partners’? 

Students as Partners is run by the Student Partnership Team and is a programme which facilitates students working collaboratively with staff to improve aspects of teaching, learning and the student experience. Our team provides support to enable Student and Staff Partners to collaborate on projects as equals. This includes providing casual post set-up; supporting with student recruitment, training, and induction; ensuring students are paid each month; and providing ongoing support for students and staff involved in partnership working across the institution. 

 Since its inception in 2020, Students as Partners has delivered paid, flexible partnership working opportunities for students, matching over 100 students with a staff member offering a project.

 Employing a Student Partner is a fantastic way to: 

  • work collaboratively with students to develop teaching and learning;   
  • get in-depth insight on the ever-evolving student experience;  
  • embed the student voice when developing new initiatives;   
  • benefit from added capacity in your team to explore developmental projects.  

Currently, we have Student Partners working on a wide variety of projects, including: 

  • improving the accessibility of online modules; 
  • developing initiatives to improve the experience of Black Heritage students; 
  • shaping the University’s approach to blended and flexible learning. 

Please contact studentpartnership@manchester.ac.uk with any questions, or if you would like to discuss your idea before submitting the form.

"Our student partner seamlessly integrated into our team, becoming indispensable from day one. Their dedication, fresh perspective, and diverse experiences have greatly enriched our project and elevated our outcomes. We wholeheartedly recommend the Students as Partners programme to any academic seeking fresh ideas and dedicated collaboration. Our experience demonstrates the immense value of student partnerships, and we are grateful for the opportunity to work with such a talented individual."  

- Rachel Parker-Strak & Rachel Studd, Department of Materials