A photo of Professor Katie Normington, Vice-Chancellor of De Montfort University, and a quote from her reading: Universities have profound, positive impacts in their local regions but can achieve so much more working in collaboration. “Joining with the University Alliance, DMU can lend its voice and expertise to a diverse and powerful group of institutions, working with employers to secure new opportunities for students and influencing policy decisions to better help our communities thrive.”

📢 De Montfort University has rejoined UA!

Their block‑teaching innovation, industry links and global outlook make them a perfect fit for our mission.

A warm welcome back @dmu.ac.uk!

www.unialliance.ac.uk/2026/03/31/de-montfort-university-rejoins-university-alliance/

The Alliance Awards 2026 are now open for nominations!🏆

The Awards celebrate the hard work and dedication of colleagues from across University Alliance.

To nominate someone you admire, find all you need to know on the UA site👇

www.unialliance.ac.uk/our-work/all...

As a modern, dynamic, and enterprising university, we put students first, working with employers, professional bodies, and government to deliver career-focused education and real-world impact.

At the University of Hertfordshire, we go Above. Beyond.​

https://bit.ly/49PS9PU

#HertsBeatsFaster

A picture of University Alliance Director of Policy Susanna Kalitowski and a quote from her reading: “The next workforce plan is a chance to build a sustainable system. That means joining-up health and education policy, embracing regulatory flexibility, and investing in the infrastructure that enables transformation. Above all, it means treating universities as strategic partners.”

The forthcoming 10-year workforce plan for the NHS must treat universities as strategic partners.

A must-read blog from UA Director of Policy Susanna Kalitowski in @wonkhe.bsky.social today

🔗 bit.ly/49ICyS7

Happy International Day of Education from everyone at University Alliance 🌎

UA's response to the Post‑16 Level 3 and Below Pathways Consultation. University Alliance has responded to the DfE's Post‑16 Level 3 and Below Pathways Consultation. To protect student progression, UA are urging a pause to the defunding of Applied General…

To protect student progression, we are urging a pause to the defunding of Applied General Qualifications until V Levels are available.

Read our full response to the DfE's Post‑16 Level 3 and Below Pathways Consultation here: bit.ly/3ZiTMiH

Our first post on BlueSky! And what a way to start by announcing that we have climbed 10 places from 17th to 7th in the annual @peopleandplanet.bsky.social University League. As well as this, we have come joint first in the carbon reduction category. Read more here: www.gre.ac.uk/articles/pub...

Our CEO Vanessa Wilson was quoted in @timeshighered.bsky.social today, on the value of mission groups in HE.

At a time of financial challenge for the sector, mission groups are a valuable tool for targeted advocacy & collaboration - but they must show impact👇

tinyurl.com/25byudr7

Hello from Herts on Bluesky 👋

We’re an anchor institution supporting our region’s growth through partnerships with employers, professional bodies and government. Our teaching and research tackle real-world challenges, creating positive impact from Herts to the world. 🌍

As 2025 draws to a close, our CEO Vanessa Wilson takes the opportunity to reflect on what has been a busy term for HE policy and make predictions on what's in store the sector in 2026 🔮

Find her piece on the website👇

www.unialliance.ac.uk/2025/12/16/r...

University Alliance welcomes back founding member Bournemouth University Bournemouth University has officially become a member of University Alliance (UA), joining 17 other leading professional and technical universities across the UK. As a former and founding member o...

🚨 Bournemouth University rejoins University Alliance!

As a former and founding member, BU's return strengthens our mission to deliver innovative teaching, applied research & industry partnerships.

Welcome back, @bournemouthuni.bsky.social!

bit.ly/4j8iQSW

We've published our response to OfS’ quality regulation proposals

✅ Ambition to reduce burdens
❌ Punitive sanctions linked to TEF ratings
❌ Introducing submission fees

Our full response 👉 bit.ly/3XQAxN2

‘Much-needed clarity and a win for research environments’ – University Alliance responds to REF 2029 updates Vanessa Wilson, CEO of University Alliance, has responded to the REF 2029 updates following the three-month pause: “Today’s announcement that the Research Excellence Framework 2029 will resume with...

‘Much-needed clarity and a win for research environments’

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2029 will resume following a three-month pause, with updated guidance now published.

Read our response: bit.ly/4s3GLqG

England's international fee levy under fire after details revealed Proposals for a £925-per-international-student levy at English universities have drawn ire from the international education sector.

UA CEO Vanessa Wilson's post-budget comments on the International Student Levy feature in @thepienews.bsky.social 👇

thepienews.com/englands-int...

University Alliance responds to Autumn budget measures impacting skills and higher education University Alliance CEO Vanessa Wilson has responded to the government’s latest budget measures impacting skills and higher education:  “Today, the government announced a budget to secure the econo...

Read our CEO Vanessa Wilson's full response:
bit.ly/3XQ0SKP

🌍 An International Student Levy risks harming universities' finances and a global success story.

We will engage with the government on the detail before its implementation - and we ask for a full impact assessment and measures to ease financial strain.

📈 To drive growth, we need high-level skills and entry-level interventions.

For skills to be unleashed, it can't all be about the NEETs.

University Alliance responds to #Budget2025 👇

ICYMI: for the #Autumnbudget2025, we've made three recommendations for HE:

1. A long-term sustainable funding settlement for higher education

2. Proportionate regulation for universities

3. Targeted investments, including in HEIF, LSF and L7 apprenticeships

Full submission 👇
tinyurl.com/59pbxz2r

Flat fee or percentage levy divides universities ahead of budget Last-ditch attempts to minimise harm of incoming tax on international student fees splits sector, as research intensive universities set to save millions but post-92s would pay more

Read more: bit.ly/3LU4jgW

In today’s @timeshighered.bsky.social, University Alliance CEO Vanessa Wilson discusses the potential impact of a government levy on international student fees 👇

Encouraging to see movement from @newsnmc.bsky.social on reducing placement hours for Nursing and Midwifery students.

We support this direction of travel: UA have long called for reduced emphasis on time served in favour of an outcomes and competency-based approach to nurse and midwife training.

UA's submission to the 10-Year Workforce Plan call for evidence University Alliance has submitted its response to the Department of Health and Social Care’s call for evidence on the 10-Year Workforce Plan.

UA has made its submission to the NHS 10-Year Workforce Plan call for evidence.

We’re calling for 4 enablers:
1️⃣ Universities to be embedded in workforce planning at every level
2️⃣ Stronger recruitment & retention
3️⃣ Regulatory reform
4️⃣ Clearer community roles & career pathways

bit.ly/4nT4ExD

Huge congrats to #THEAwards winners @teessideuni.bsky.social, Michael Sweet at University of Derby and Jon Newton at @uwebristolofficial.bsky.social 👏

The support and inspiration you've given to students makes us proud to represent such life-changing universities🥂

We have also repeated our call for a joint ministerial taskforce: to coordinate efforts to expand student recruitment, increase clinical placement capacity, support degree apprenticeships, and strengthen workforce retention.

Universities must be central to delivering 10 Year Workforce Plan, declare healthcare educators University Alliance has joined forces with other organisations responsible for educating doctors, nurses and allied health professionals to urge the government to include education, training, and rese...

With other health educators, we have written to the Health Secretary calling for education, training, and research to be embedded the heart of the NHS' 10 Year Workforce Plan.

Read our joint letter here bit.ly/4pe2Hx6

"Though recognition of the value of arts is positive, students and teachers need to be assured that they will see the benefits in practice."

One week from the Curriculum & Assessment review final report, the Creative Education Coalition reflect on its impact👇
tinyurl.com/4sxuwymr

Read our full take: www.unialliance.ac.uk/2025/11/05/w...

A new level 1 stepped qualifications will help improve the national scandal of a quarter of young people fail to achieve a pass in GCSE maths and English by 19.

This doesn't go far enough to address this problem, and we will continue to campaign for alternatives.

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The introduction of V levels is welcome, but concerns remain.

We do not oppose innovation in qualifications but urge caution in replacing well-established AGQs with untested alternatives.

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