Note: in July 2024, following the election of a new Labour government, University Alliance has published an updated publication Let’s Get Technical: The First 100 Days. This sets out our recommendations for the government’s first 100 days in office, and in the long-term. University Alliance, an association of the UK’s leading professional and technical universities, […]
A new report by the Social Market Foundation (SMF) has urged the government to cut bureaucracy and fix the funding issues hindering universities from delivering high-level skills provision such as degree apprenticeships. The report, titled “Skills Sidelined”, underscores the vital need for higher-level apprenticeships in bridging workforce and skills gaps, particularly in key sectors such […]
The Social Market Foundation’s ‘Skills Sidelined’ report has called on the government to back universities providing high-level skills provision to plug skills shortages. The report, sponsored by University Alliance, analyses the Labour government’s skills policy, the current state of play for higher-level apprenticeships – and what the government could do to optimise skills policy to […]
On 19th & 20th November 2025, University Alliance will be attending the Higher Education Transformation Expo at the NEC in Birmingham as a strategic partner of the show. The HE Transformation Expo has been designed around the needs of senior leadership teams across higher education. It will support leaders working to drive resilience through long […]
In response to the Department for Education’s updated publications regarding the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE), Vanessa Wilson, CEO of University Alliance said: “University Alliance’s member universities are passionate advocates for lifelong learning, flexible teaching, and aligning courses with local skills needs. We welcome the government’s renewed commitment to the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) and its […]
In reaction to the NHS Ten Year Health Plan, Vanessa Wilson, CEO of University Alliance said: “The government’s NHS Ten Year Heath Plan represents a significant stride forward in meeting the country’s evolving healthcare needs. “It’s encouraging to see recognition that nurses and allied health professionals must be highly trained. Unfortunately, this is at odds with […]
We are delighted to announce the shortlisted nominees for this year’s Alliance Awards. Each of the nominees, whether an individual or team, has made a significant contribution to their university and local or global communities, going above and beyond to deliver substantial real-world impact. With brand new categories launched this year (including the Teaching Innovation […]
University Alliance, the group that represents professional and technical universities, has joined forces with UCAS to bust common myths about university. As young people across the UK finish their final exams and turn their attention to their next steps, the UniMythsBusted campaign is stepping up activity. UniMythsBusted is taking over UCAS’ social media channels with […]
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 […]
Professor Andrew Westby has been made an OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours. As Chair of University Alliance’s Research and Innovation Network and Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange at the University of Greenwich, Andrew’s OBE has been awarded in recognition of his services to research in food security and his leadership of the […]
University Alliance has responded to the government’s provisional accreditation of an additional twelve teacher training providers. Responding to the announcement, Vanessa Wilson, CEO of University Alliance, said: I’m delighted that the government has granted twelve additional providers provisional accreditation to deliver teacher training from September. I’m particularly pleased that the list of provisionally accredited providers […]
