Frequently asked questions
Have a question about the Future Leaders programme? You’ll find the answers to the most frequently asked questions in the drop-downs below.
If you can’t find an answer to your question here, please contact us by emailing futureleaders@manchester.ac.uk.
The application process
Applications for our 2024 intake opened on Monday, 5 February 2024. Visit our jobs page to apply now before the closing date on Sunday, 3 March 2024.
You will need to submit information about your academic qualifications, work, and extra-curricular experience, and provide evidence of how you meet the criteria outlined in the job description.
The questions in the application form will include written answers, and you will also be required to submit a three-minute video or voice message. In this short video or voice message, you will briefly outline why you are an excellent candidate for the Future Leaders programme.
We’re looking for well-considered and thought through applications that provide good evidence that you meet the criteria outlined in the job description, embody our University values, and are motivated and driven to succeed in your career. Successful candidates will provide clear and varied examples from their education, work and/or extracurricular experience, and evidence positive self-reflection, analysis and insight.
We are looking for candidates who have an understanding of the University’s priorities, and can interpret what this means to them and their career.
Please email people.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk and a member of the Recruitment Team will come back to you within 48 hours.
The recruitment process will include three stages. Candidates who are successful will be invited to participate in each stage, which will include completing online tests, attending a remote interview and attending an in-person assessment centre in June 2024.
Offers will be made to successful candidates in July 2024.
Early stages of the application process will take place remotely. There will then be an in-person assessment, which will take place in June 2024 on campus in Manchester. Candidates will be required to attend this assessment centre in person to be considered for a place on the programme.
Creating an inclusive working environment that welcomes disabled applicants, and people with long term health conditions, to The University of Manchester is really important to us. One of the values at the heart of our vision and strategic plan is a commitment to equality and diversity, and equal opportunities for all.
The University is part of the Disability Confident Scheme in which we will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. This is often referred to on job descriptions as ‘essential’ or ‘desired’ skills.
We will also ensure all reasonable adjustments are made at each stage of the application process, for example extra time for assessments or communication support at interview for BSL users.
When you complete your job application form you will find a section entitled 'Offer an Interview scheme ' at the end of the form. If you feel that you have a disability as defined in this section, you can choose to complete the form and return it with the rest of your application.
If you're unsure whether you should apply under the scheme, require further information, or to discuss adjustments you will require during the Future Leaders application process, please contact our Disability Advisory and Support Service.
Eligibility and qualifications
We welcome applications from both international and UK candidates. Applications will be considered equally with no preference towards international or UK candidates.
Any offer of a place on the Future Leaders graduate programme will be subject to the applicant’s ability to demonstrate their right to work in the UK for the length of the programme. In light of prospective changes to the UK’s immigration rules, which are expected to be introduced over the coming months, a place on Future Leaders may not meet the salary criteria for sponsorship by the University under the Skilled Worker visa scheme.
Information about other visa options can be found on the Gov.uk website; check if you need a UK visa and/or a graduate visa.
If you have not graduated from The University of Manchester within the last two years, you must be employed by The University of Manchester and have graduated from another institution (including via the apprenticeship route) within the last two years to be eligible.
No – unfortunately the programme is only open to University of Manchester graduates or staff members who graduated from their undergraduate or postgraduate degree in 2022, 2023 or who are due to graduate in 2024.
No – unfortunately the programme is only open to graduates and students who have or are predicted at least a 2:2 in their degree.
Yes, we welcome applications from all University of Manchester graduates who meet the relevant criteria.
We welcome graduates from all subject areas to apply. The programme is focused on developing potential for future leadership roles, and you will be provided with all the necessary skills development to support your career progression.
It is not essential to have worked in a professional environment to apply for this programme, however we are looking for leadership potential. We will ask for evidence that you meet the criteria outlined in the job description, which could be from your education, work or extra-curricular experience.
Yes, this is a very competitive programme and we are expecting a high volume of applications.
About the scheme
The programme has an annual intake of graduates. The next cohort of Future Leaders will take up their posts in September 2024.
Future Leaders is a three-year programme made up of three 12-month placements within different areas of the University’s Professional Services.
The Manchester Graduate Talent (MGT) programme helps source paid graduate-level jobs in a range of organisations based in Greater Manchester, including many roles within the University. Unlike Future Leaders, MGT is not a graduate scheme and does not offer structured development or a guaranteed role at the end. It is however a great way to use the skills you developed at university and build your professional network.
There are a huge number of professional service roles and specialisms within the University, and placements are designed to give graduates exposure to different types of role and department.
There are three types of placement you will complete while on the programme.
- One of the placements will be an operational role supporting academic activity in a School or Faculty.
- A further placement will be in a professional specialism such as communications and marketing, people and organisational development or planning,
- Another placement will be in a higher-education specialist area such as student experience, teaching and learning or research and business engagement.
Placements will be allocated to graduates centrally by the programme to ensure they get a varied and rich experience of different roles and areas within the University. Where possible graduate strengths and preferences will be taken into account to ensure a good fit for the graduate and their placements.
Permanent roles will be offered to graduates at the end of the programme, usually at a more senior level, providing they have met performance criteria while on the programme. After completing the programme, we will continue to support graduates’ career development to enable accelerated progression to senior leadership roles within the University.
In order to secure a permanent role, graduates will be required to perform well throughout the programme and achieve their objectives within each of the placements. Graduates also will be required to engage with all aspects of the programme and pass the qualifications they complete alongside their placements.
In addition to their placement, graduates will complete a structured programme of development, including a qualification through the Chartered Management Institute to support them to develop key knowledge and skills for future leadership roles within the University. This will involve attending lectures, seminars and completing assignments alongside their placements.
Throughout the programme graduates will be supported by their placement manager, the programme manager, and they will be matched with a mentor. While graduates on the programme will all work in different areas, they will be supported to set up a community of peers with monthly get-togethers for support, sharing tips and experiences.
