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

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  1. University Alliance responds to UCAS and the Sutton Trust’s report on apprenticeships

    July 6, 2023

    …apprenticeships have long known: there are not enough apprenticeships, and degree apprenticeships in particular, to meet demand, and apprenticeships are not generally well understood. There is clearly strong demand from students and the government to grow the number and diversity of apprenticeships on offer. Just last week, apprenticeships were heralded as the solution to the NHS’s workforce challenges. To really scale up apprenticeships though, t…

    Read more of: University Alliance responds to UCAS and the Sutton Trust’s report on apprenticeships

  2. New SMF report urges government to back universities to deliver high-level skills

    July 17, 2025

    …level skills the economy needs, and how they are being held back. “Through degree apprenticeships and vocationally-focused education, Alliance universities teach high-level skills in crucial sectors like healthcare and construction. But they are being hamstrung by bureaucratic overload, financial disincentives and a shifting policy and funding landscape.  “The government must not have tunnel vision when it comes to skills: without a balanced appro…

    Read more of: New SMF report urges government to back universities to deliver high-level skills
    The SMF

  3. Eight Alliance Universities awarded funding to expand degree apprenticeships

    January 17, 2024

    …employers, this sort of investment will be essential in widening access to degree apprenticeships.” Eight University members have received allocations to expand their degree apprenticeships offer: Anglia Ruskin University, Leeds Beckett University, Middlesex University, Teesside University, the University of West London, University of Derby, University of Hertfordshire and UWE Bristol. The new funding will allow alliance universities to expand the…

    Read more of: Eight Alliance Universities awarded funding to expand degree apprenticeships
    Vanessa Wilson

  4. University Alliance responds to the publication of the NHS Long-Term Workforce Plan

    June 30, 2023

    …ty rates lower if nurses are educated to at least degree level. Higher and degree apprenticeships are delivered by universities in partnership with the NHS and they are a high-quality option for upskilling the existing workforce, as well as bringing in new talent. However, there are challenges in delivering them because they are costly and highly bureaucratic. If apprenticeships are to be one of the solutions to the NHS workforce crisis, the Gover…

    Read more of: University Alliance responds to the publication of the NHS Long-Term Workforce Plan

  5. University Alliance responds to Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement to overhaul the skills and apprenticeships system

    September 28, 2022

    …“It has been clear for some time that reforms to the apprenticeships levy are needed. We hope that the creation of a ‘growth and skills levy’ will give employers the flexibility they need, while ensuring that the hugely popular degree apprenticeships offer is supported to grow. To really turbo-charge degree apprenticeships, regulatory reform will also be necessary. We stand ready to support the Labour party as they continue to shape their skills…

    Read more of: University Alliance responds to Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement to overhaul the skills and apprenticeships system
    UA Logo cropped

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

    May 28, 2025

    …Given the impact this decision will have on the viability of higher-level apprenticeships, the effect will likely be a dramatic reduction in the availability of these essential qualifications. Level 7 apprenticeships have been a skills success story across a whole host of sectors, including many that will be key to delivering the government’s industrial strategy, and employers have been clear that this will further exacerbate skills shortages. Th…

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  7. University Alliance Backs Joint Commitment on Degree Classifications

    May 20, 2019

    …transparently and decisively to protect public confidence in the value of degrees. “We need to continue to address tough, legitimate questions about how degrees are awarded and ensure universities’ academic integrity and students’ hard work is not called into question. “This statement of intent is a practical way forward and represents a coordinated approach and commitment across the UK.” Professor Steve West, Vice-Chancellor of the University of…

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  8. Historic compact agreed to take back control of the UK’s creative education system

    July 30, 2024

    …ty University. During the summit, Professor Mba made the case for creative degree apprenticeships, which offer tuition fee-free opportunities for aspiring creative talent to study for a degree in the creative arts whilst earning and gaining valuable work experience in the sector. “The Creative Education Summit sets the roadmap towards creating a society that truly values the creatives and understands what creativity can bring to the nation. It is…

    Read more of: Historic compact agreed to take back control of the UK’s creative education system

  9. UA Speech: “Higher education and courses policy going forward”

    November 11, 2022

    …ead to questions whether we need more or fewer graduates, and the value of degrees. Here’s what I would say: Whilst the overall employment level is at a record-breaking high, there are in fact chronic workforce shortages in critical sectors: in healthcare, education, IT, engineering, and the creative industries. If we want a world-leading economy, we need a world-leading skilled workforce. Our competitors know this. Countries such as Singapore and…

    Read more of: UA Speech: “Higher education and courses policy going forward”
    Vanessa

  10. UUK/NUS Attainment Report – Our Members comment 

    May 2, 2019

    …a student’s entry qualifications and subject of study when assessing their degree attainment. Data for UK-domiciled graduates is used to create a probability that a student will achieve a first- or upper-second-class degree. These probabilities are aggregated to create an ‘expected’ percentage of a given cohort of students who should achieve a first or upper second. If the cohort achieves this percentage, the VA score is 1. For percentage attainme…

    Read more of: UUK/NUS Attainment Report – Our Members comment 
    NUS and UUK report title