About us

​Universities UK is the voice of universities, helping to maintain the world-leading strength of the UK university sector and supporting our members to achieve their aims and objectives. 

What we do

Universities UK is the collective voice of 140 universities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Lectern discussion meeting

Who we are

Who we represent, our senior team, and our policymaking and governance structures.
Graduation ceremony

Our members

Our members are the vice-chancellors or principals (executive heads) of universities in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Woburn House

Working for Universities UK

We offer great opportunities for people interested in working in a membership organisation for the higher education sector.
Laughing student

Universities UK International

Universities UK International promotes and represents UK universities abroad.

Woburn House Conference Centre

Universities UK is based at Woburn House, Tavistock Square which is also the home of Woburn House Conference Centre, a suite of eight spaces suitable for a range of events from meetings to conferences and dinners.

Partnerships and associated organisations

We work with many other organisations to support and promote the UK higher education sector.
Universities Wales

Universities Wales

​Universities Wales represents the interests of higher education institutions in Wales and is a National Council of Universities UK.
Universities Scotland

Universities Scotland

Universities Scotland is the national council in Scotland of Universities UK.
Tavistock square in the snow

​​Our history

Universities UK’s roots lie in the 19th century when meetings took place with vice-chancellors of universities and principals of university colleges.

Blog

A student carrying books

Student reviews tell the story of 2020

1 March 2021
​After studying more than 16,000 student reviews, Paul Humphreys, Founder and CEO at StudentCrowd, looks at how students have been experiencing university this year.
Pride flag

Going the extra mile to embrace LGBT+ equality in higher education

10 February 2021
This LGBT+ History Month, the University of Birmingham’s Dr Sammy Li reflects on progress that has been made by universities to support LGBT+ equality and looks at what more must be done to ensure no one is left behind.

News

Students getting exam results

University admissions teams will 'pull out all the stops' this year

25 February 2021
Universities UK's response to the government's announcement on teacher assessed grades for 2021.
Female student in lab

Universities welcome UK government roadmap announcement

22 February 2021
The government's plan confirms that all students on practical and practise-based courses who require access to specialist equipment or facilities can return to universities from 8 March 2021.