200 years of education
and innovation
Celebrating our bicentenary
Our year-long celebration begins in January 2024. 91视频 some of our key events and activities – and how you can get involved as part of Team 200.
Events and activities
Our diverse programme will celebrate our people, their incredible achievements and the impact they have made, in Manchester and around the world.
Here is a taste of what we have planned, with more to come throughout 2024.
Light Up
On 17 January a pathway of light will illuminate buildings on campus and beyond in our signature colour: purple.
Universally Manchester Festival
Our flagship bicentenary event will bring people together from 6 to 9 June to celebrate 200 years of ideas and innovation.
THE World Academic Summit
The University will from 7 to 9 October, welcoming 500 global leaders in higher education to Manchester.
Be part of Team 200
We want our global community to come together as one for our 200th year.
Being part of Team 200 means being part of our bicentenary, in whatever form that takes.
Whether you're involved in an activity on campus, help to staff an event, listen to a podcast or watch events online, everyone who takes part in our bicentenary is part of the same universal team: Team 200.
There will be many ways for you to get involved throughout 2024 – and you can join in with some already:
Contribute to our festival programme
Would you like to deliver an event or activity at our Universally Manchester Festival in June? Let us know your ideas.
Join the Purple Wave
Be one of the 1,824 people running the 2024 Great Manchester Run in May as part of the University's Purple Wave.
Work opportunities at Light Up
Student Ambassadors have the opportunity to work our Light Up event in January. Please note, application capacity for this event has now been reached.
Visit our Founders and Funders exhibition
Visit the Founders and Funders exhibition at the John Rylands Research Institute and Library, exploring legacies of slavery at our University.
Sign up for updates
We're planning an exciting programme of events throughout the year. Sign up to hear about event updates, features and opportunities to get involved.
How we use your information
Information you provide will be used to contact you about the upcoming bicentenary programme, including potential opportunities to help co-create activities linked to the University's bicentenary. Any data collected for this purpose will not be shared* and will not be held after 31 January 2025. You can opt out of these communications at any point by contacting us at: communications@manchester.ac.uk. Information about data protection at the University can be found in our privacy terms.
*If you tell us that you studied with the University your email address will be updated on your alumni record to communicate with you, as outlined in the .
Bicentenary identity guidelines
Join in the celebrations and create your own communications and marketing materials using our bicentenary identity guidelines.