Ukraine response

The Russian government’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is of ever-increasing concern as the conflict and human tragedy escalates.

We know that the ongoing war will be especially worrying for our Ukrainian and Russian students and colleagues with family and friends directly caught up in the conflict.

Due to the significant concern in our community and the need to look out for our staff and students, we have set up this hub of information and support.

Our position 

Read the full statement from our President and Vice-Chancellor and access the Senate's statement on the conflict. 

Universities UK has also released an official statement and you can find their latest announcement on UUKi news. 

Support for students and staff

The University has a wide range of support resources available during this time. We have written to all Ukrainian, Russian and Belarussian staff and students to let them know about the services they can access. 

• We are a university of sanctuary for asylum seekers and refugees.
• Students can visit the support website or the Students' Union advice centre for mental health and wellbeing services. 
• If you require support for your studies, there are mitigating circumstances procedures in place for taught students. 
• We also offer support to postgraduate researchers who experience a change in circumstances. 
• If you need financial support, our Cost of Living Support Fund could help. 
• The staff wellbeing section of StaffNet offers 24/7 access to counselling and support through our employee assistance programme, Validium.
• Support is available from the Ukrainian society.
• Discover how you can help via the Students' Union Ukraine appeal or support one of their fundraising events. 
• The British Academy and the Council for At-Risk Academics have announced new fellowships for Researchers at Risk. The first priority will be for researchers based in Ukraine. 
• The UK Parliament have announced support for students from Ukraine studying in UK higher education.

We will be updating these pages as further support becomes available.

How you can help 

There are a number of ways you can show your support for those involved in the current conflict, from taking part in events at the Students' Union, to making a donation to the relief efforts.

• We will be working with the Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA) to identify opportunities to assist academics threatened in this conflict. 
• Staff and students may wish to donate to the British Red Cross, via the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Ukrainian Humanitarian appeal. 
• Keep an eye out for events hosted by the Students' Union in support of the Ukrainian people.
• University of Manchester-based charity UK Med has set up an appeal to get emergency healthcare to those who need it in Ukraine. 
• The government is launching a new sponsorship scheme to match people, charities, businesses and community groups to Ukrainians who do not have established families in the UK, so they have a route to safety. More information is available on the government website, where you can register for updates on the scheme. 
• A JustGiving page has been created to support the Manchester Ukraine Welcome Fund, supporting frontline groups providing evacuees with the vital support they need. 

Find an expert

We have a number of academic staff with expertise in this area who are available to talk to the media.