GuildHE is one of the two recognised representative bodies for Higher Education in the UK. It is a Company Limited by Guarantee and a Charity. It was founded in 1967 as the Standing Conference of Principals, registered as a company in 1992 and became GuildHE in 2006.
Our vision
Is of a sustainable, diverse and dynamic higher education sector which:
plays a full part in the development of a well-educated and socially inclusive nation;
enhances the UK's economic competitiveness; and fosters cultural engagement, knowledge creation and exchange in a global context.
A new name to reflect evolution and growth! GuildHE member the London Institute of Banking and Finance (LIBF) is now the Walbrook Institute London. Walbrook is embracing new opportunities in business, tech, and beyond, while continuing to deliver trusted financial qualifications under the LIBF name. Discover more: https://lnkd.in/e4X3aq3F
From LIBF to Walbrook Institute London — embracing growth while honouring our roots.
Inspired by the hidden river beneath the City of London, our new name reflects our evolution — embracing new opportunities in business, tech, and beyond, while continuing to deliver trusted financial qualifications under the LIBF name.
The same ambition, with a broader horizon.
Explore Walbrook 👉 https://bit.ly/42yhY1I#TheWalbrookWay#StudyLIBF
New on Wonkhe: Sunday Blake argues that Stephen Graham’s Adolescence proves that creative arts education can drive societal change https://lnkd.in/ePY946sa
"If we want to tackle misogyny, and we must remember that Adolescence was fundamentally about violence against women and girls, as well as male disengagement in education, we need to invest in the places where empathy and identity are formed"
New on Wonkhe: Sunday Blake argues that Stephen Graham’s Adolescence proves that creative arts education can drive societal change https://lnkd.in/ePY946sa
"If we want to tackle misogyny, and we must remember that Adolescence was fundamentally about violence against women and girls, as well as male disengagement in education, we need to invest in the places where empathy and identity are formed"
Director of Policy & Strategy at GuildHE, PhD in Marketisation, value for money and first in family student experience of HE, Board Member Northern College of Acupuncture.
We undoubtedly need to improve IAG for students, and this HEPI report by an incredibly talented UG student provides a great analysis of why our official information (through DiscoverUni) needs to work much harder for prospective students.
But the dominant narrative of the HE 'market' and value still centers on the individual financial benefits of a degree. This is not only problematic due to the difficulty of accurately measuring these gains, but also ignores extensive behavioral economics research, which shows that students choose higher education for a variety of reasons (most of which are not financial motivations). They instead include interest in the subject, the atmosphere/community of a specific institution or city, desired career path, or simply to broaden their knowledge and future employment prospects. Additionally, some students' choices are constrained by factors like grades, prior qualifications, or proximity to home.
We have a two-tier HE market – a standard market (where all degrees meet a high-quality bar and are academically comparable due to sector-agreed academic standards) and a status/prestige market, largely based on academic research prowess rather than student experience quality. Employers have limited knowledge of our high-quality HE institutions and make their own value judgments based on preconceived (often elitist) ideas.
It is perhaps this that is a market failure, rather than the earnings potential of some graduates (which is steered by employer perceptions of quality). IFS research also points to social class being a defining factor in onward earning potential, not necessarily to the course or university you went to.
Joseph is correct that low-earning degrees are not an indicator of market failure; we are simply not measuring value accurately. Instead, we need to do much better at measuring wider value aspects such as the public good (and cost savings) of a well-educated society and the overall wellbeing, and stability provided to individuals who are resilient and flexible to future workforce needs. This is especially important for DfE Reform priorities around equality of opportunity and civic duty. If we can better measure the value of HE we can make a more compelling case for continued public and financial support.
GuildHEDr Brooke Storer-ChurchProfessor Ken SloanSunday BlakeHigher Education Policy InstituteDepartment for Education
As the HE sector reflects on the University of Sussex recent fine, Professor David Green, VC of the University of Worcester and GuildHE Board member is quoted extensively in The Guardian article ‘University of Sussex’s record fine sparks confusion over freedom of speech rules’ ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eF6KmAfCGuildHE continues to proactively support our members on navigating this policy including:
✅ Issuing a comprehensive briefing to Heads of Institutions on 28 March.
✅ Arranging legal insight from Smita Jamdar of Shakespeare Martineau at the GHE Debrief on 4 April.
✅ Hosting Professor Arif Ahmed, Office for Students' Director for Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom, at the GHE Debrief on 2 May.
✅ Circulating an updated briefing shortly, following further collaboration with Universities UK and Advance HE.
✅ Delivering pre-planned sessions to support member preparation for the E6 (harassment and misconduct) and Free Speech Conditions coming into force in August 2025.
Dr Kate Wicklow, FRSA / Dana Gamble / Ellen Graves / Sunday Blake
Good to see specialist institutions, GuildHE members Central School of Ballet and Northern School of Contemporary Dance, making a strong case in the media about their crucial role in sustaining our creative and cultural industries - and the shows and performances that we all like to see in our theatres and arts centres.
It's vital that we see the connection between access to educational opportunities and the cultural and social life we value in the UK and beyond. The timing is pertinent with inquiries ongoing about the funding of higher education and the current consultation for the periodic review of Arts Council England.
GuildHE | Dana Gamble | Dr Kate Wicklow, FRSA
Access to excellence matters! Letter in the Guardian today emphasising the importance of small specialist dance institutions in creating opportunities for the next generation of dancers.
As part of our ongoing work to support the institutional and personal development of our members, we've set up a fantastic offer with Strengthify! GuildHE members now benefit from a 30% discount on the Strengthify dynamic Discovery Workshops ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eey3ypHa
Heads of our member institutions can access the discount code by logging in to the new Member Area of our website and visiting the 'Exclusive Offers' within our Resources section. Then choose from the wide range of virtual and in-person sessions between now and the end of June 2025.
The Strengthify Discovery Workshop is a dynamic and engaging session designed to help participants uncover, appreciate, and apply their unique strengths in the workplace. Through a combination of self-assessment tools, interactive activities, and group discussions, participants will embark on a process of self-discovery and team collaboration.
Dr Kate Wicklow, FRSA / Shoni Robertson-Finn / Dezrika Ramsey
The Times Higher Education (THE) Awards 2025 are now open for entries with a brand new category: 'Specialist Institution of the Year'. It's a fantastic opportunity for GuildHE specialist institution members to enter and have their brilliant activities recognised!
There are 20 categories overall to choose from, covering a wide range of university activity across academia, administration, and leadership and management. Read the Entry Guidelines first https://lnkd.in/etpZcgmg and then explore the Categories https://lnkd.in/epZcdUBh, with an 'Enter now' button beside each one.
This year’s entry window will close on the evening of Monday 9 June.
Dr Kate Wicklow, FRSA / Sunday Blake / Dana Gamble / Ellen Graves / Rachel Persad
