Published: January 19, 2026 at 12:02 pm
The University of Manchester has partnered with Microsoft, becoming the first university in the world to provide Microsoft 365 Copilot access and training to every student and member of staff.
The rollout will cover around 65,000 people across the institution and is due to be completed by summer 2026.
It is part of a wider programme aimed at improving AI literacy and ensuring responsible use of emerging technology.
The Russell Group university said universal access will support teaching, research and professional services work, while also helping to tackle an “emerging digital divide” by ensuring students can access advanced AI tools, regardless of personal circumstances.