Manchester Metropolitan University

University wins national award for excellence in Employer and Community Partnerships

Manchester Metropolitan University’s Department of Sociology has been named a national winner at the 2025 AGCAS Academic Employability Awards, taking home the top honour in the Employer and Community Partnerships category. 

The awards, which celebrate excellence and innovation in integrating employability into the curriculum across UK and Irish higher education, received hundreds of entries from institutions this year. Manchester Met’s Sociology department stood out for its commitment to building meaningful relationships with local partners and embedding these collaborations directly into student learning. 

The judging panel praised the department’s strong partnerships with local organisations, noting how these collaborations bring fresh insight and energy into the curriculum. 

By embedding community and employer input directly into teaching, students benefit from exposure to professionals and real-world experiences throughout their studies. This approach not only enriches academic learning but also helps students build valuable skills, connections and confidence as they prepare for future careers. 

Dr. Stephen Boyd, Director of Careers and Employability, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this award. It reflects the hard work and dedication of our colleagues and partners, who have worked tirelessly to create a curriculum that is both academically rigorous and deeply connected to the world beyond the University. 

“These partnerships are central to our mission – they give our students a unique opportunity to engage with professionals, understand real-world challenges, and develop the skills and confidence they need to thrive after graduation. We’re proud to be recognised for an approach that puts students at the heart of a collaborative, community-driven learning experience.” 

This award was one of six categories in which Manchester Met was shortlisted – an achievement that reflects the strength and breadth of employability-focused work happening across the University.  

Congratulations to all those shortlisted: 

  • Submitted by the Careers and Employability Service on behalf of Manchester Met (University of the Year
  • Fabrizio Cocchiarella and Victoria Dahl, Unit X, Department of Design (Curriculum Design for Employability
  • Pin Shen Teh and Pamela Reckert, Department of Operations, Technology, Events and Hospitality Management (Technology for Employability
  • Iwi Ugiagbe-Green and April Kalu, STRIVE (Inclusive Employability Practice
  • Liz Cain and Simon Massey Social Science Futures, Department of Sociology (Employer and Community Partnerships
  • Orla Flannery and Ann Hunt, Sport and Exercise Sciences (Authentic Assessment for Employability

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