UK faces 'clear choice' between success or decline as universities set out package of reforms to boost opportunities for poorer students and drive growth

The blueprint has been authored by a series of experts from within and outside higher education on behalf of Universities UK (UUK). The detailed report includes recommendations on how universities can do more to break down barriers to opportunity, help boost the economy, train the doctors and nurses of the future and support the drive to net zero. Achieving this, the blueprint says, will require the sector to change, becoming more efficient, collaborating more and transforming ways of working.

The blueprint also calls on the UK government to stabilise the sector’s finances and increase direct public funding in England so the cost of going to university is rebalanced towards government instead of students.

Key ideas in the blueprint include:

• A major efficiency drive by universities to achieve transformative change in the way they work
• Increasing the opportunities for students from parts of the country and backgrounds where participation in higher levels of education is currently low, working with schools and colleges
• Working more closely in local areas with businesses, chambers of commerce and metro mayors to make the strongest possible contribution to growth at local and regional levels

To deliver on these reforms and maximise the considerable contribution they can make to the Government’s five missions, universities say they want to establish a new partnership with Whitehall. In return, Government must act to put the sector on a sustainable financial footing as a virtual freeze in tuition fees in England over the last 12 years has decimated the finances of universities. The blueprint sets out a two-stage approach; to stabilise the university sector’s finances, and then helping to transform them to mobilise and maximise the contribution universities can make to the success of the UK.

The blueprint argues the universities provide many public benefits – not just benefits to individuals through higher earnings. Government in England currently contributes just 16 per cent of current funding towards a degree – one of the lowest proportions amongst developed countries. Universities say direct public funding should increase so the cost of going to university is more evenly shared between graduates and taxpayers.

Professor Dame Sally Mapstone FRSE continued:

• In the UK, government covers 16% of higher education’s costs – the lowest in the developed world.
• Research by London Economics for UUK published recently showed that the total impact of UK higher education is £265 billion (based on 2021/22 figures).
• UUK report shows students who choose to learn more, earn more.
• Report shows the key role universities play in boosting growth and productivity.

The chapters and authors of ‘Opportunity, growth, and partnership: a blueprint for change from the UK’s universities’ are:

Chapter 1 – Expanding opportunity. Commissioner – Professor Nick Pearce

Chapter 2 – More responsive and collaborative tertiary education. Commissioners – Professor David Phoenix and Dame Ann Limb

Chapter 3 – Generating local growth. Commissioner – Rain Newton-Smith 

Chapter 4 – A world-leading research and innovation system. Commissioner – The Rt. Hon. the Lord Mandelson 

Chapter 5 – Our universities’ global reach, reputation, and impact. Commissioner – The Rt. Hon. the Lord Willetts 

Chapter 6 - Putting universities on a firm financial footing. Commissioner – Professor Shitij Kapur and John Rushforth 

Chapter 7 – Better regulation. Commissioner – Professor Julia Black 

Chapter 8 – Improving how the impact of universities is assessed. Commissioner – Andy Haldane