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

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

    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…

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

    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 …

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  3. University Alliance’s submission to the Autumn budget 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
  4. New YouGov poll shows more than 8 in 10 support student loan forgiveness, grants or bursaries for students training to work in the NHS

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

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

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

    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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  8. University Alliance hosts showcase event in parliament

    On 11 March 2025, University Alliance hosted a parliamentary event showcasing the role of UA’s leading professional and technical universities across four themes: opportunity, community and civic impact, innovation and growth and skills. The event, which was partly intended as an introduction to UA for new parliamentarians following the 2024 general election, was attended by MPs and peers from across the UK. A number of resources and a new short …

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  9. University Alliance respond to OfS strategy consultation for 2025-2030

    University Alliance have submitted their response to the Office for Students strategy consultation for the years 2025 – 2030. Find the full submission here. Overview of the response Whilst University Alliance supports many of the priorities set out in the proposed strategy, we were dismayed to see a lack of focus on cutting the cost and burden of higher education regulation. In fact, many of the proposals seek to expand the OfS’s regulatory remit…

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  10. University Alliance’s submission to the Spending Review

    University Alliance has made its submission to the Treasury ahead of this year’s Spending Review. Read UA’s full submission The submission highlights how professional and technical universities are critical to delivering the government’s decade of renewal, and focuses on three of the government’s missions: kickstarting economic growth, building an NHS fit for the future and breaking down the barriers to opportunity. Mindful of the extremely tight…

    Read more of: University Alliance’s submission to the Spending Review