Membership

Founded in 1918, Universities UK members are the executive heads (vice-chancellors/principals) of each UK institution that has the legal power to award its own first and higher degrees and which, by virtue of Act of Parliament, Charter, Statute, or Order of the Privy Council, has the right to claim university status.

Universities UK has 132 members including virtually all the universities in the UK and some colleges of higher education.  The University of London has 16 members, including its vice-chancellor. In Wales, the vice-chancellors of the constituent institutions of the University of Wales, and the principals and chief executives of the university colleges in Cardiff and Newport are members of Universities UK. Higher education colleges in Wales and Scotland are entitled to associate membership of Universities UK.

Universities UK is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status and is financed mainly through subscription from its member institutions.

UK Board

The UK Board is elected by the Universities UK membership. It consists of 24 members including the President, Treasurer, three Vice-Presidents and the Chairs of the Policy Networks, and one co-opted member representing specialist institutions. The President nominates up to six members to serve on the Board. The UK Board is Universities UK’s main decision-making body and meets five times a year. It focuses on UK-wide issues and those issues in the constituent parts of the UK that have UK-wide implications or interest.

List of UK Board members

Executive

The Executive is a sub-committee of the UK Board and comprises the President, three Vice-Presidents and Treasurer. The Executive meets five times a year and reports to the Board. It acts on behalf of the UK Board to support and advise the Chief Executive, to undertake day to day monitoring, co-ordinating, planning and liaison functions, and to authorise action as required between Board meetings. 

List of UK Executive members

National Councils

Universities UK has two autonomous national councils covering Scotland and Wales. Universities Scotland represents the heads of higher education institutions in Scotland. Higher Education Wales represents heads of higher education institutions in Wales.

Members’ Meetings

All members of Universities UK meet four times a year, including at the Members’ Annual Conference in September.

The President

The President is elected from and by the membership of Universities UK for two academic years and is only eligible for re-election by special resolution. The President chairs all Universities UK Members' Meetings, the UK Board and the Executive Committee meetings. The current President is Professor Eric Thomas, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bristol, whose term of office ends on 31 July 2013.

List of past Presidents.

The Chief Executive

Nicola Dandridge, the Chief Executive of Universities UK, is appointed by the UK Board and is responsible for the day-to-day management and administration of Universities UK. She heads a team of some 100 staff across all the offices.

Universities UK office

The office is structured into four groups.

Communications Group

This Group campaigns on behalf of UK universities and supports universities in their own local campaigning activity on national higher education issues. It provides information on the UK university system.

Policy Group

This Group undertakes evidence-based analysis, develops policy and provides advice on a wide range of policy and technical issues affecting higher education. It fosters links with key stakeholders, including government departments, think tanks, Universities UK's agencies and professional sector groups. It manages the work of the Policy Networks.

Member Services

This Unit leads a strategy to provide high quality services to Universities UK’s members. It is responsible for managing the work of the Executive Committee, the UK Board and the Members’ Meetings. It also manages an induction service for new members.

Resources Group

The Director of Resources is Universities UK’s Company Secretary. The Group is responsible for all aspects of Universities UK support services including personnel, finance and information technology. It is also responsible for the planning process for Universities UK (including the Corporate and Operational Plans) and manages Woburn House and its conference and meeting facilities.

Networks and Groups

Universities UK has seven Policy Networks reporting directly to the UK Board through each of the elected Chairs. The networks predominantly comprise vice-chancellors with additional experts brought in as required. The Policy Networks guide the development of Universities UK policy and work collaboratively with external contacts to promote universities' interests to a wider audience. They build strategic alliances and strengthen links with government agencies, professional bodies, industry and commerce, other education sectors and international audiences. The seven networks are as follows.

        • Students, Quality and Participation.
        • Research.
        • Funding. 
        • International    
        • Employability, Business and Industry.
        • Health Education and Research
        • Longer Term Strategy

The Teacher Education Advisory Group develops policy on teacher education and represents the interest of relevant institutions to government and funding bodies.

The Specialist Institutions’ Forum brings together small and/or specialist institutions to consider issues of concern to such institutions and to represent their interests with government departments and funding bodies.