Spotlight on University reputation

18 Jan 2024

Our External Stakeholders Survey report is one of the most positive to date

The Global influence theme in Our future sets out our ambition to ‘enhance our reputation as one of the world’s leading universities’. In support of this objective, it’s important that we understand perceptions of the University among key stakeholder groups. 

The External Relations Strategy Group, chaired by our President and Vice-Chancellor, is responsible for monitoring these perceptions, and receives a biennial External Stakeholders Survey report, based on in-depth interviews with key external stakeholders across a range of categories, including policymakers, research partners, business, health and culture. 

The survey, conducted on our behalf by THE Knowledge Partnership, aims to understand the reputation of the University among senior external stakeholders, in order to identify where they think we’re performing well and where there are any perceived gaps in meeting our objectives. Respondents remain anonymous to encourage them to speak freely, and the report is used to inform planning and decision-making at a strategic and operational level.

One of the most positive to date

The 2023 survey was one of the most positive to date and found that our overall reputation is very strong, with notable reputational advances in civic engagement, innovation, health and social responsibility. Key findings included:

• Stakeholders overwhelmingly consider The University of Manchester to have a strong reputation, regionally, nationally and globally.
• Notable reputational advances this year include a strong recognition of Manchester as an exemplar for regional engagement and innovation, an increased focus on health impact and wider awareness of social responsibility activity.
• The research beacons continue to be recognised by stakeholders and REF performance was perceived to be strong.
• A number of initiatives in teaching and student experience were referenced by stakeholders. Some challenges – many of them sector-wide – were also identified.
• Stakeholders see the VC succession process as both a potential challenge – most are anxious to see a continued focus on their particular area – as well as an opportunity.

Our good reputation is one of our key assets, so we work proactively to enhance it wherever possible. By delivering outstanding research, high-quality teaching and learning, and having exemplary social responsibility practices, we will continue to positively impact external stakeholders – protecting and developing that reputation.

The report has been undertaken every two years since 2005; this tenth and most recent iteration was conducted in summer and autumn 2023. Topics discussed include overall reputation, key successes, barriers to success, competitors, rankings, international reputation, research, teaching, social responsibility, business engagement, leadership and vision.