Specialist institutions provide higher education focused on a single discipline or closely related fields. They combine academic and vocational excellence. We offer a forum that brings together these institutions to discuss shared policy challenges and opportunities, supporting collaboration and sector-wide impact
Specialist institutions in our membership represent a diversity of specialisms including the creative industries, health, business, agriculture and veterinary science, while also supporting talent development in growth areas such as AI, data science, immersive technologies, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, robotics and creative technology. Despite this wide range of specialisms, they share a great deal in common. Most are small in size and offer practice led programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. This means they have strong links with the industries and professions they prepare their students to enter.
Specialist Institutions' Forum
The Specialist Institutions' Forum brings leaders of specialist institutions together to develop policies and responses and share good practice on a range of issues such as funding, inclusion and diversity, and international recruitment. The forum usually meets four times a year. It is currently chaired by Professor Penny Macbeth, Director of the Glasgow School of Art.
Members of the forum
Creative
- The Courtauld Institute of Art
- Falmouth University ,Glasgow School of Art
- Guildhall School of Music and Drama
- Norwich University of the Arts
- The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
- Royal College of Art
- Royal College of Music
- Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance
- University of Creative Arts
- University of the Arts London
Health
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
- Royal Veterinary College
Science and technology
Business