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

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  1. University Alliance launches new Places, Partnerships, Nations & Regional Innovation Network 

    April 9, 2026

    University Alliance today (Thursday 9 April) launches its new Places, Partnerships, Nations & Regional Innovation Network. This new network brings together senior leaders from across the University Alliance membership to accelerate collaboration, strengthen regional impact, and shape the national policy landscape around place‑based growth.  The Network will serve as a powerful platform for Alliance universities – institutions recognised for their…

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  2. ‘Much-needed clarity and a win for research environments’ – University Alliance responds to REF 2029 updates 

    December 10, 2025

    Vanessa Wilson, CEO of University Alliance, has responded to the REF 2029 updates following the three-month pause: “Today’s announcement that the Research Excellence Framework 2029 will resume with new and updated guidance provides universities with much-needed clarity and relief. We welcome the sensible, pragmatic approach taken to refining the framework since the pause – an approach shaped in no small part by the contributions of University All…

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  3. 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 …

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  4. University Alliance responds to proposed pause to REF 2029

    September 4, 2025

    Responding to Minister Vallance’s announcement today on the three-month pause to REF 2029, University Alliance CEO Vanessa Wilson said: “Shortening the REF runway at this stage presents real challenges for the sector and this ‘pause’ should be as short as possible. The Autumn 2028 submission deadline might appear at a comfortable distance, but within institutions this is a critical phase of the cycle where they need the certainty and time to plan…

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  5. University Alliance responds to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy

    June 23, 2025

    Vanessa Wilson, CEO of University Alliance has commented in response to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, published today (Monday 23 June)  “We welcome the publication of the government’s much anticipated and needed industrial strategy, which rightly emphasises skills, innovation and the university sector’s critical role in the UK’s growth prospects. As anchor institutions across our nations and regions, the professional and technical universi…

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  6. UA/UKCGE Professional Doctorates survey: initial results revealed

    May 20, 2025

    The Professional Doctorates Survey, which was run jointly by UKCGE and University Alliance, has now closed. The survey sought to understand in more detail what is happening in the sector regarding Professional Doctorates and will inform wider research undertaken to understand the perspectives of institutions, funders, employers and the candidates themselves. It also sought to understand the different professional doctoral programmes offered, thei…

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  7. 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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  8. University Alliance hosts showcase event in parliament

    March 18, 2025

    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’s submission to the Spending Review

    February 11, 2025

    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

  10. University Alliance release ‘Let’s Get Technical: The First 100 Days’ 

    July 26, 2024

    In a new publication, University Alliance has set out a range of impactful priority actions for the government to take in their first 100 days in power. UA’s latest policy briefing ‘Let’s Get Technical: The First 100 Days’ identifies policies that are cost-neutral or low-cost to deliver that could help professional and technical universities deliver the government’s agenda. In partnership with government and industry, University Alliance argue th…

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    'Let's Get Technical: The First 100 Days'