The University of Manchester has become the first university in the world to provide universal access to Microsoft 365 Copilot, following a landmark strategic collaboration with Microsoft.
Under the agreement, 65,000 students, academics and professional services colleagues will gain access to the full Microsoft 365 Copilot suite, alongside structured training to support effective, ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence. The roll-out will be completed by summer 2026.
The initiative forms a central pillar of the university’s wider digital and AI transformation programme, which places equal emphasis on technology adoption, long-term AI literacy and responsible integration across teaching, research and professional services.
Driving equity, employability and research impact
The university says the move will support learning, research productivity and graduate employability, while also addressing the emerging digital divide by ensuring all students can benefit from advanced AI-powered productivity and assistive tools, regardless of personal circumstances.
Students will be able to use Microsoft 365 Copilot to support their studies in line with the university’s policies on responsible AI use, preparing them for a workplace where confidence with AI technologies is increasingly expected by employers.
For researchers, Copilot will help reduce time spent on routine tasks, support interdisciplinary exploration, enhance evidence gathering across broader bodies of literature, and accelerate data analysis. AI is already being used at Manchester to advance breast cancer treatment, improve menopause care, boost crop productivity and reduce waste in the fashion industry.
Academic and professional services colleagues will also benefit from more efficient ways of working, freeing up time for higher-value and strategic activity.
A pilot programme conducted between 2024 and 2025 demonstrated strong engagement, with 90% of licensed users adopting the tool within 30 days, and around half using it several times a week.
A legacy of AI leadership
The announcement comes 76 years after Alan Turing published his seminal paper on the ‘Turing Test’ while working at the university, one of the earliest foundational works in artificial intelligence. Today, Manchester continues that legacy, with more than 1,600 AI researchers working across disciplines to understand and shape the future of the technology.
Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester, said:
“AI is now part of everyday life. Our responsibility is not only to make these tools available to all our students and staff on an equitable basis, but to use the depth of expertise across our university to shape how AI is developed and applied for public good.
“By embracing the AI transformation early, we are working with students, colleagues and partners to maximise the benefits and manage risks responsibly. The great universities of the 21st century will be digitally enabled – and this partnership represents a significant step on that journey for Manchester.”
Responsible and sustainable adoption
The roll-out will be delivered in partnership with the Students’ Union, trade unions and staff networks. The university is also working closely with Microsoft to ensure transparency around environmental and wider impacts, promoting best practice in responsible and sustainable AI adoption.
Microsoft’s long-standing sustainability commitments were a key factor in the partnership, including its goal to become carbon negative, water positive and zero waste by 2030.
Darren Hardman, CEO of Microsoft UK & Ireland, said:
“As someone who grew up in Manchester, I’m proud to see the university extending access to Microsoft 365 Copilot across its entire community, helping 65,000 students and staff build the skills they’ll need to thrive in an AI-enabled economy.
“This is a powerful example of how Manchester’s deep AI heritage can be paired with responsible, ethical adoption to help close the digital divide.”
Part of a wider strategic vision
The collaboration is one of the first major developments following the launch of the university’s new strategy, From Manchester for the world, reinforcing its ambition for world-class teaching, high-impact research and responsible leadership in digital innovation.
Professor Jenn Hallam, Vice-President for Teaching, Learning and Students, said:
“Every student deserves access to the best AI tools to enable them to thrive in their studies, no matter their background.
“AI is an enabler for teaching and learning, not a replacement. We’re not just preparing graduates for jobs — we’re preparing the next generation of citizens for a fast-changing world.”
The initiative was also welcomed by Kanishka Narayan, Minister for AI and Online Safety, who said the partnership demonstrated how collaboration between government, universities and industry can unlock transformative benefits for education, research and innovation.
