University and Aquinas College strengthen long-standing partnership
The University of Salford has strengthened its long-standing partnership with Aquinas College, signing a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will create more opportunities for students and staff at both organisations.
The agreement was signed at Aquinas College on 9 September, with colleagues from both organisations attending.
We’ve worked closely with Aquinas for many years, supporting students through campus visits, taster days, subject talks, careers fairs and other activities. In September 2025, 78 new students from Aquinas started at Salford.
The new agreement gives us a clear way to build on this work, with a shared focus on progression, employability, employer engagement, curriculum enrichment and raising aspirations.
More opportunities for Aquinas students
Jo Purves and Jo Dommett at the signing
We’re now working with colleagues at Aquinas to develop a programme of activity for the year ahead. This will include opportunities for students to visit our campus, explore different subject areas and make use of our specialist facilities and spaces.
Students will also have opportunities to find out more about apprenticeships and different routes into further study and employment.
We’ll also be looking at how our academic expertise and employer connections can support skills development within the Aquinas curriculum.
One of the first activities planned is a visit from Aquinas’ Aspire students this semester, giving them the chance to explore the campus and find out more about the opportunities available at Salford.
What does this mean for our staff?
The partnership will also create more opportunities for our colleagues to work directly with staff at Aquinas.
For our academic and professional services colleagues, the partnership provides opportunities to build links with college departments and curriculum leads, and to contribute to subject enrichment, outreach, employability and employer engagement activity.
The agreement also gives both organisations a regular opportunity to review what we’re doing together and identify new ways to work in partnership.
Priya Bradshaw, Quality Director and Skills at Aquinas College, said: “Salford have worked with Aquinas for a long time. They’ve provided us with amazing visits to their impressive facilities, inspirational speakers to support our students in making choices about destinations, and had input into what our students learn, particularly our Aspire programme. We’re really excited to bring all of that together in a relationship which will boost the experiences and links for our students and staff.”
Principal Jo Dommett added: “Whilst numbers opting for university are declining, that isn’t the case at Aquinas – however, it is obvious that more students are choosing to attend local universities.
“This opportunity to work closely with a local university, offering a broad and inspiring range of qualifications is one that appeals to our students. A growing number of our students were already opting for Salford, so we’re really pleased that we will be working together.”
Jo Purves, Pro Vice Chancellor Partnerships and Global Engagement at the University of Salford said, “We are delighted to sign this Memorandum of Understanding with Aquinas College. Our partnership reflects a shared commitment to helping young people fulfil their ambitions through access to outstanding educational opportunities, employer engagement and clear progression pathways.
“We look forward to building on our long-standing relationship and welcoming even more Aquinas students to the University of Salford in the years ahead."
For all press office enquiries please email communications@salford.ac.uk.