UK universities must evolve to deliver the brighter future people want

As we enter 2026, it’s a good time to reflect briefly on the year just gone and to consider our priorities for the coming 12 months.

In 2025, the UK’s higher education sector achieved something of vital importance. The government’s welcome decision to increase English tuition fees annually in line with inflation and its commitments on research funding have provided some long-term certainty. The return of maintenance grants for some domestic students is also welcome.

But we must also be mindful of the potential unintended consequences of the international student levy. On top of this, the financial sustainability of a number of universities is still challenged by exceptionally high employer contributions in some pension schemes, including the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.

Notwithstanding these challenges, universities now have greater clarity on the road ahead, enabling us to plan accordingly. So if 2025 was about establishing stability, in 2026 our focus must turn to building for the future.

The world in which we are operating is shifting. The digital and AI revolution, global warming, growing inequality and shifting political currents all need to be navigated. At the same time, across the country, there is a strong desire for change. People want to live in a society that works for them and to see improvements in their prosperity and well-being.

Universities are uniquely placed to play a crucial role in addressing these challenges and delivering the brighter future people desire. But we must face this new reality with a willingness to evolve.

Of course, in many ways, we are already embracing the future. Innovations that we’re delivering include the wider use of technology to enhance teaching, learning and research. We’re also developing new programmes and modules to address changing student and employer demand. And institutions are increasingly working together in new ways to realise greater benefits for students, communities and businesses.

However, we must challenge ourselves. Are we doing all we can to equip our students with the skills they need to get good jobs in tomorrow’s labour market? Is our research being translated as effectively as it might be in pursuit of improved lives and national prosperity? Are we engaging with communities, civic partners and businesses to deliver in ways that benefit them?

We must also ask hard questions about our own management. Are we doing all within our power to drive efficiency within our institutions? Are we taking full advantage of opportunities to work together where it makes sense to do so? And are we calling out small pockets of poor practice that detract from the high quality that we deliver overall? We must be accountable – ready to listen and to act – when legitimate concerns are raised.

We know that there will be no growth without graduates and no national renewal without universities. But to secure support from across society, we need to play our part to the fullest; we cannot afford to be defensive. Now is the time to renew our partnership with those we serve.

That’s why, this year, Universities UK will be kicking off a long-term programme of work called “Future Universities”. This will be a fresh wave of deep and visible engagement with businesses and communities across the country, asking tough questions, listening carefully and working together to find answers.

These conversations will demonstrate universities’ commitment to acting in the national interest. They will also provide insight into how we can increase our impact. And they will help UUK formulate a new, long-term plan for higher education, to be presented before the next general election: a plan that commands wide support because it is built on a shared understanding of the unique power that the university sector has to deliver a brighter future.

So, as the new year begins, we should take a moment to celebrate what we have achieved together. But we should also commit to the next chapter of renewal and ambition.

The history of our universities is a combination of resilience, reinvention and renewal. Throughout that history we’ve shown that when the world changes, we change with it – and we often lead the change.

We need that spirit of evolution now more than ever, working with government, businesses and communities to address today’s and tomorrow’s challenges – with confidence, with impact and with strength.

Malcolm Press is vice-chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University and president of Universities UK.