International staff and students bring invaluable social and cultural benefits to universities in the UK. We influence national and international policies in ways that protect the UK’s status as an attractive destination for international staff and students.
Among many advantages, international experiences help develop soft skills, intercultural understanding and improve employability. We work with UK universities to increase the number of students who can access these beneficial experiences.
We make collaboration between researchers from the UK and other countries easier by working closely with universities and funding bodies. From identifying funding opportunities, to providing partner-matching services we’re strengthening the UK’s international links.
Everyone who applies to university should be able to trust that they will be treated fairly throughout the application process. Our Fair Admissions Review made a series of recommendations for improving transparency and public understanding in admissions practices.
At least 75% of students have reported that they were happy with the quality of their courses according to recent annual National Student Surveys. We provide guidance to members on ways to improve their student support.
Universities should be welcoming and safe environments for all students and staff. In partnership with students, universities work to stop harassment in all its forms, but more is needed. We provide evidence-based guidance to members to inform their work.
Students from all backgrounds should have access to a great range of opportunities after graduation. Universities work to help all students develop the confidence and skills to succeed and that employers need.
Listening to past, current and future students helps universities provide outstanding experiences. We use their views and feedback to inform university and government recommendations so that all students have a positive experience.
Our members are committed to making sure students thrive academically. We help our universities reduce degree-awarding inequalities between students of different ethnicities and share good practice in supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
UK universities have made significant progress in widening access for underrepresented and disadvantaged students. We're raising awareness of the transformational work our members do to open up higher education to everyone.
When someone dies by suicide, it has a dramatic impact on those around the person who died. Together with PAPYRUS, a charity for the prevention of young suicide, we created Suicide-safer universities, a publication used across our membership to make suicide prevention strategies more effective.
As demand increases for university-funded support services, we’re calling for greater government focus on student mental health. We’re also campaigning for student-facing NHS services which match the commitment made in the NHS Long Term Plan.
Universities play an important role in driving new ideas and innovation for businesses and industry. We’re calling for funding and regulation designed to maximise the benefits universities offer to local and national communities.
Good research is underpinned by a culture of integrity and good governance. We contribute to sector-wide agreements and initiatives designed to support inclusivity and create an ethics-driven culture in which all researchers can excel.
UK universities carry out world-class research. We want to secure stable and sustainable investment in university research to maximise the benefits to the economy, society and people's everyday lives.
Universities are centres of knowledge. Sharing that knowledge with commercial and industrial partners drives economic and social growth. We’re leading UK higher education institutions in an ongoing effort to improve the UK’s approach to sharing expertise, ideas and insights.
