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The latest announcements, press releases and media coverage from University Alliance.

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  1. ‘This offers some relief for Alliance universities’: University Alliance comments on changes to the SCAPE discount rate

    May 20, 2026

    Responding to the announcement by Torsten Bell, Minister for Pensions, on the SCAPE discount rate, a University Alliance spokesperson said: “We welcome confirmation from the Treasury of the new SCAPE discount rate, which sets in train a likely reduction in employer contribution rates to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) from April 2027. This offers some relief for Alliance universities, which are legally required to offer the TPS without access …

    Read more of: ‘This offers some relief for Alliance universities’: University Alliance comments on changes to the SCAPE discount rate

  2. University Alliance responds to the Education Committee’s report on Higher Education and Funding

    May 12, 2026

    Commenting in response to the Education Committee’s report ‘Higher Education and Funding: Threat of Insolvency and International Students’, Vanessa Wilson, CEO of University Alliance said: “The findings of the Education Committee underline what universities have been warning for some time: higher education in England is facing a serious and systemic financial crisis, with real risks to students, communities and the wider economy if urgent action …

    Read more of: University Alliance responds to the Education Committee’s report on Higher Education and Funding

  3. ‘The levy will make the financial position of post-92 institutions more precarious’ – UA’s response to the International Student Levy technical consultation 

    February 23, 2026

    University Alliance has published its response to the DfE’s call for views on the technical detail of the International Student Levy. Read UA’s full response Summary  The International Student Levy is the flat fee that the government has proposed applying to all international students studying in the UK.  We are deeply concerned that, as the government’s impact assessment of the levy acknowledges, post-92 universities will be less likely to be ab…

    Read more of: ‘The levy will make the financial position of post-92 institutions more precarious’ – UA’s response to the International Student Levy technical consultation 

  4. University Alliance responds to OfS consultation on the future approach to quality regulation

    December 11, 2025

    University Alliance has responded to the Office for Students’ consultation on the future approach to quality regulation. UA welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Office for Students (OfS) consultation on the future approach to quality regulation. As teaching-intensive institutions, Alliance universities are proud of their long history of teaching excellence. They are committed to delivering high quality, inclusive, and professionally oriente…

    Read more of: University Alliance responds to OfS consultation on the future approach to quality regulation

  5. University Alliance responds to the Post-16 Education and Skills white paper

    October 21, 2025

    Responding to the Post-16 Education and Skills white paper, University Alliance CEO Vanessa Wilson said: “Having long called for a joined-up vision and strategy for the future of post-16 education and skills, we welcome the government’s white paper. It sets a helpful trajectory for further and higher education, with a much-needed focus on the value of high-level skills.  Whilst there are many policies in the paper which will empower universities …

    Read more of: University Alliance responds to the Post-16 Education and Skills white paper

  6. University Alliance’s submission to the Autumn budget 2025

    October 16, 2025

    University Alliance have made their submission to the Autumn budget, which will be announced in November this year. Read UA’s full submission The submission highlights how professional and technical universities are a crucial component of the education skills system and have a vital role to play in kickstarting economic growth and other key government priorities. To enable universities to achieve their full potential in contributing to the UK’s c…

    Read more of: University Alliance’s submission to the Autumn budget 2025

  7. New YouGov poll shows more than 8 in 10 support student loan forgiveness, grants or bursaries for students training to work in the NHS

    August 13, 2025

    New public polling on UK higher education, commissioned by University Alliance and conducted by YouGov, has revealed that the public back increased financial support for students training to enter vital professions, including the NHS, teaching, social work and policing. It has found: 84% of parents and grandparents are in favour of their loved ones attending university 75% support financial incentives for students training to be teachers 63% supp…

    Read more of: New YouGov poll shows more than 8 in 10 support student loan forgiveness, grants or bursaries for students training to work in the NHS
    YouGov and University Alliance

  8. University Alliance responds to the increase in OfS registration fees

    June 3, 2025

    Responding to the 3.9% increase in registration fees from the Office for Students, University Alliance CEO Vanessa Wilson said: “Increased fees from the Office for Students smacks of a regulator living in a parallel universe to that of the sector it is regulating. At a time when everyone else is focused on tightening their belts, the Office for Students continues to expand and put up costs – a far cry from the government’s promised ‘bonfire of th…

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  9. University Alliance responds to DfE’s Level 7 apprenticeships funding announcement

    May 28, 2025

    In response to the Department for Education’s announcements on a ‘radical skills revolution’, University Alliance have commented on the limitations placed on Level 7 apprenticeships. University Alliance CEO Vanessa Wilson said: “Limiting funding for the highest level of apprenticeships to 16–21-year-olds, an age group that only rarely has enough experience to be eligible for them outside a few select subjects, is a nonsense. Given the impact this…

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  10. University Alliance joins coalition to improve proof-of-concept funding

    May 20, 2025

    University Alliance have joined a coalition coordinated by TenU, urging government to expand a national fund that supports proof-of-concept (PoC) funding. The aim is to bridge the gap between research and commercialisation, and support academics to get their innovations ready for investment. The coalition of organisations includes Knowledge Exchange UK, the Russell Group and University Alliance, which aim to highlight barriers to university comme…

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