Supporting our Transgender and Non-Binary community
Manchester Metropolitan University is committed to providing a supportive environment for students who wish to disclose their trans or non-binary status to the University. We seek to provide a sensitive and supportive environment for students who transition at University and will look to ensure that we meet their specific needs.
Manchester Metropolitan University is committed to providing a supportive environment for students who wish to disclose their trans or non-binary status to the University. We seek to provide a sensitive and supportive environment for students who transition at University and will look to ensure that we meet their specific needs.
Below you can find practical information about how the University can support you in changing your personal details on University systems and records.
Anyone wishing to change their personal details should contact PersonalDataChange@mmu.ac.uk. This email is monitored by only a handful of staff and all queries are dealt with confidentially and with your consent.
CHANGING YOUR NAME IN THE STUDENT RECORD SYSTEM
If you wish to change your name at the University, this will update your official name in the Student Records system. This will be printed on your Student ID Card and on your degree certificate and academic transcript.
We do not require any proof of name change to make the change.
Is this right for me?
This is a good option for students who have changed their name legally or go exclusively by their new name.
What are the implications?
If you wish to change your name in our records, this will update your officially recorded name. This can sometimes cause issues if you have applied for Student Finance or Council Tax exemption in a different name to what is in the records system. E.g. if you have applied with your legal name.
Your name in the records system is also what is printed on your degree certificate and academic transcript. We would strongly recommend that the name printed on your certificate and transcript is your legal name to avoid any complications in the future with job offers and visa applications. Please see the section on certificates for more information.
How do I change my recorded name?
If you wish to change your recorded name in the student records system, please email personaldatachange@mmu.ac.uk.
ID CARDS
Your University ID card is an important part of being a Student at Manchester Met and will be needed to access the library, log your attendance, and sit examinations.
If you have updated your details in the central records system, then you can also collect a new student ID card 48 hours after the change via the Student Hub with your updated details printed on there. If you would like your ID card to be posted out to you, please email personaldatachange@mmu.ac.uk.
If you also wish to have your photo updated update your photo on your ID card, please let us know at personaldatachange@mmu.ac.uk. If you wish to update your details on the Student ID card only and not in the central records system, please let us know and we will be able to make this update.
STUDENT FINANCE
If you have applied for a student loan, once you have enrolled the University sends off proof of enrolment to Student Finance England.
If you have applied to Student Finance England with your legal name and have since changed your name in our university records system, this could cause issues with this confirmation.
In these situations, it would be your responsibility to clarify and provide confirmation of your legal name with any external organisation as needed, as our systems would no longer be able to send this confirmation automatically. If you contact the University on personaldatachange@mmu.ac.uk, we can support you with managing the confirmation of your legal name.
You can also find information on changing your details at Student Finance England here: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-student-finance/change-an-application
EMAIL ADDRESS, MOODLE AND MS TEAMS
If you have changed your details in the central records system, then this will also be updated on other systems such as Moodle, MS Teams and your University email address within 48 hours.
Please note the ID number format of your email address will remain the same.
If your systems have not updated within 48 hours of us confirming the changes have been processed, please email personaldatachange@mmu.ac.uk.
ACCOMMODATION
Once a student has an Unconditional Offer at the University, they will be sent a link to book their Accommodation at University. In this system students can select their own rooms from what is available and can filter to any specific requirements.
When registering for Accommodation, students have the option to enter their legal name and a preferred name.
If you do have any questions regarding University Accommodation, please email StudentLiving@mmu.ac.uk.
COLLECTING MAIL
It is common for students to use their preferred name rather than legal name when ordering packages or accepting mail. The mail room staff will hand over packages and letters to students as long as their surname on the package/letter matches the surname on their Student ID card.
If students do experience issues with accepting mail, please email StudentLiving@mmu.ac.uk.
JOBS4STUDENTS
If you are registered with Jobs4Students at the University, we can inform them of any change of details with your consent. Please be aware that Jobs4Students are required to issue payslips in your legal name, and this will appear on your payslip. However, any communications sent from Jobs4Students to you, will be sent using your preferred name.
GRADUATION CEREMONY
Your name in the students record system will be what will be read out during the Graduation ceremony. If you wish for your name to be read out differently, you can enter your preferred name in the graduation booking system – this will be what the Student Presenter reads out.
DEGREE CERTIFICATES
If you change your name in the student records system, then this name will be printed on your degree certificate and academic transcript.
We would highly recommend that your legal name is printed on your certificate and transcript to avoid any future complications with job offers and visa requests.
If you have changed your name in the student records system and require your legal name to be printed on your certificate and transcript, please contact personaldatachange@mmu.ac.uk.
Following graduation, if a student changes their name legally via deed poll, they can request that their certificate is re-issued, free of charge, with the new legal name. This can be requested by emailing personaldatachange@mmu.ac.uk.
TIME OFF FOR MEDICAL AND OTHER APPOINTMENTS
We understand that students undergoing gender reassignment will often require time off to attend medical and other appointments relating to their transition.
Students are advised to contact personaldatachange@mmu.ac.uk to inform the University of any relevant appointments which are scheduled to take place within term time in order for absence to be recorded. A student does not need to provide specific details about the medical appointment when informing the University, providing they are able to evidence appointment/surgery dates as appropriate. Relevant evidence should be sent to personaldatachange@mmu.ac.uk.
Students may wish to meet with their tutor ahead of their period of absence to discuss a learning strategy. The staff responsible for personaldatachange@mmu.ac.uk will be able to assist in arranging a meeting.
SUSPENSION OF STUDIES
It may sometimes be appropriate for students who are transitioning to request to suspend their studies.
Students who are intending to suspend their studies to undergo transition surgery may wish to speak to a Student Hub Adviser for guidance on the suspension procedure and the implications of suspending their studies. Students may also wish to contact personaldatachange@mmu.ac.uk, who will liaise with the relevant Head of Department on the student’s behalf. If students do not wish to consent to disclosure to the Head of Department, a letter of endorsement, supporting their decision to suspend their studies on medical grounds, will be provided.
STUDY ABROAD
Attitudes towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) travellers around the world can be very different from those in the UK.
Any Trans students who are planning to Study Abroad during their course are encouraged to research the country they are intending on travelling to. The Study Abroad team are here to help you and hold drop-in and bookable 1-2-1 sessions to help you research and offer advice. You can find further information on Study Abroad at Manchester Metropolitan at https://www.mmu.ac.uk/study/international/study-abroad.
You may also find the Foreign Office advice helpful when researching different countries and their attitudes and customs. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-foreign-travel-advice.
DBS
If you require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for your course or placement, the DBS must be in your legal name. If you have changed your name legally, you are also required to provide any previous names.
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) offers a confidential checking service for transgender applicants which you can find further information on here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/transgender-applications
EVIDENCED EXTENSIONS
We understand that at times you may face additional challenges that affect your ability to study. You may be able to use the University's Assessment Extensions Procedure if you feel that you need more time to complete an Assessment. See Am I able to submit a request for an extension? for more information.
DEGREE APPRENTICESHIPS
The apprenticeships team will require official documentation to formally change a student's name in their records system. However, a degree apprentice can update their preferred name by emailing PersonalDataChange@mmu.ac.uk.
Please be aware that any certification will be printed with a student’s legal name unless they provide official documentation for the name change.
It is the responsibility of the Apprentice to inform their employer of any name or gender changes.
Anyone wishing to change their personal details should contact PersonalDataChange@mmu.ac.uk. This email is monitored by only a handful of staff and all queries are dealt with confidentially and with your consent.
CHANGING YOUR NAME IN THE STUDENT RECORD SYSTEM
If you wish to change your name at the University, this will update your official name in the Student Records system. This will be printed on your Student ID Card and on your degree certificate and academic transcript.
We do not require any proof of name change to make the change.
Is this right for me?
This is a good option for students who have changed their name legally or go exclusively by their new name.
What are the implications?
If you wish to change your name in our records, this will update your officially recorded name. This can sometimes cause issues if you have applied for Student Finance or Council Tax exemption in a different name to what is in the records system. E.g. if you have applied with your legal name.
Your name in the records system is also what is printed on your degree certificate and academic transcript. We would strongly recommend that the name printed on your certificate and transcript is your legal name to avoid any complications in the future with job offers and visa applications. Please see the section on certificates for more information.
How do I change my recorded name?
If you wish to change your recorded name in the student records system, please email personaldatachange@mmu.ac.uk.
ID CARDS
Your University ID card is an important part of being a Student at Manchester Met and will be needed to access the library, log your attendance, and sit examinations.
If you have updated your details in the central records system, then you can also collect a new student ID card 48 hours after the change via the Student Hub with your updated details printed on there. If you would like your ID card to be posted out to you, please email personaldatachange@mmu.ac.uk.
If you also wish to have your photo updated update your photo on your ID card, please let us know at personaldatachange@mmu.ac.uk. If you wish to update your details on the Student ID card only and not in the central records system, please let us know and we will be able to make this update.
STUDENT FINANCE
If you have applied for a student loan, once you have enrolled the University sends off proof of enrolment to Student Finance England.
If you have applied to Student Finance England with your legal name and have since changed your name in our university records system, this could cause issues with this confirmation.
In these situations, it would be your responsibility to clarify and provide confirmation of your legal name with any external organisation as needed, as our systems would no longer be able to send this confirmation automatically. If you contact the University on personaldatachange@mmu.ac.uk, we can support you with managing the confirmation of your legal name.
You can also find information on changing your details at Student Finance England here: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-student-finance/change-an-application
EMAIL ADDRESS, MOODLE AND MS TEAMS
If you have changed your details in the central records system, then this will also be updated on other systems such as Moodle, MS Teams and your University email address within 48 hours.
Please note the ID number format of your email address will remain the same.
If your systems have not updated within 48 hours of us confirming the changes have been processed, please email personaldatachange@mmu.ac.uk.
ACCOMMODATION
Once a student has an Unconditional Offer at the University, they will be sent a link to book their Accommodation at University. In this system students can select their own rooms from what is available and can filter to any specific requirements.
When registering for Accommodation, students have the option to enter their legal name and a preferred name.
If you do have any questions regarding University Accommodation, please email StudentLiving@mmu.ac.uk.
COLLECTING MAIL
It is common for students to use their preferred name rather than legal name when ordering packages or accepting mail. The mail room staff will hand over packages and letters to students as long as their surname on the package/letter matches the surname on their Student ID card.
If students do experience issues with accepting mail, please email StudentLiving@mmu.ac.uk.
JOBS4STUDENTS
If you are registered with Jobs4Students at the University, we can inform them of any change of details with your consent. Please be aware that Jobs4Students are required to issue payslips in your legal name, and this will appear on your payslip. However, any communications sent from Jobs4Students to you, will be sent using your preferred name.
GRADUATION CEREMONY
Your name in the students record system will be what will be read out during the Graduation ceremony. If you wish for your name to be read out differently, you can enter your preferred name in the graduation booking system – this will be what the Student Presenter reads out.
DEGREE CERTIFICATES
If you change your name in the student records system, then this name will be printed on your degree certificate and academic transcript.
We would highly recommend that your legal name is printed on your certificate and transcript to avoid any future complications with job offers and visa requests.
If you have changed your name in the student records system and require your legal name to be printed on your certificate and transcript, please contact personaldatachange@mmu.ac.uk.
Following graduation, if a student changes their name legally via deed poll, they can request that their certificate is re-issued, free of charge, with the new legal name. This can be requested by emailing personaldatachange@mmu.ac.uk.
TIME OFF FOR MEDICAL AND OTHER APPOINTMENTS
We understand that students undergoing gender reassignment will often require time off to attend medical and other appointments relating to their transition.
Students are advised to contact personaldatachange@mmu.ac.uk to inform the University of any relevant appointments which are scheduled to take place within term time in order for absence to be recorded. A student does not need to provide specific details about the medical appointment when informing the University, providing they are able to evidence appointment/surgery dates as appropriate. Relevant evidence should be sent to personaldatachange@mmu.ac.uk.
Students may wish to meet with their tutor ahead of their period of absence to discuss a learning strategy. The staff responsible for personaldatachange@mmu.ac.uk will be able to assist in arranging a meeting.
SUSPENSION OF STUDIES
It may sometimes be appropriate for students who are transitioning to request to suspend their studies.
Students who are intending to suspend their studies to undergo transition surgery may wish to speak to a Student Hub Adviser for guidance on the suspension procedure and the implications of suspending their studies. Students may also wish to contact personaldatachange@mmu.ac.uk, who will liaise with the relevant Head of Department on the student’s behalf. If students do not wish to consent to disclosure to the Head of Department, a letter of endorsement, supporting their decision to suspend their studies on medical grounds, will be provided.
STUDY ABROAD
Attitudes towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) travellers around the world can be very different from those in the UK.
Any Trans students who are planning to Study Abroad during their course are encouraged to research the country they are intending on travelling to. The Study Abroad team are here to help you and hold drop-in and bookable 1-2-1 sessions to help you research and offer advice. You can find further information on Study Abroad at Manchester Metropolitan at https://www.mmu.ac.uk/study/international/study-abroad.
You may also find the Foreign Office advice helpful when researching different countries and their attitudes and customs. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-foreign-travel-advice.
DBS
If you require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for your course or placement, the DBS must be in your legal name. If you have changed your name legally, you are also required to provide any previous names.
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) offers a confidential checking service for transgender applicants which you can find further information on here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/transgender-applications
EVIDENCED EXTENSIONS
We understand that at times you may face additional challenges that affect your ability to study. You may be able to use the University's Assessment Extensions Procedure if you feel that you need more time to complete an Assessment. See Am I able to submit a request for an extension? for more information.
DEGREE APPRENTICESHIPS
The apprenticeships team will require official documentation to formally change a student's name in their records system. However, a degree apprentice can update their preferred name by emailing PersonalDataChange@mmu.ac.uk.
Please be aware that any certification will be printed with a student’s legal name unless they provide official documentation for the name change.
It is the responsibility of the Apprentice to inform their employer of any name or gender changes.