GuildHE is an officially recognised representative body for UK higher education, championing distinction and diversity in the sector. In this role, GuildHE works alongside UUK as joint guardians of the sector to advocate for institutions within our memberships and on behalf of the entire system. GuildHE is the most diverse representative body in the UK, serving 66 institutions across the nations and comprising universities, university colleges, further education colleges and specialist institutions. Read more about GuildHE, our members and our vision.

How your institution benefits from GuildHE membership

Policy and publications 

• Member contribution and influence on GuildHE’s programme of engagement with government, Parliament, and regulators (including roundtable meetings/bespoke consultation events with officials and events at Party Conference). These are both at a structural sector level (to protect the diversity and distinction within the HE sector), and subject/discipline/industry-specific lobbying activity – for example creative, land-based, teachers and healthcare education.
• Developing consultation responses in collaboration with all members concerning relevant policy deliberations by government, regulators and other sector bodies.
• 6 Policy Update papers per year which signpost and explain what is going on in the higher education sector including in areas of Government, Regulation, Student Experience, Research, Skills and Knowledge Exchange. 
• Fortnightly newsletters in which we summarise developments around the sector relevant to our members.
• Members’ Mailings which explain quickly and succinctly key publications, consultations, research, and policy to help inform your initial thinking and any responses required. These are circulated within a matter of days for when formal government and regulatory consultations are announced.
• Engagement with sector bodies in the development of their work. GuildHE is a company member of QAA, HESA, AdvanceHE, Jisc, and UCEA, making recommendations for and holding observer seats on their Boards. GHE co-owns Codes of Practice and Charters in collaboration with UUK and others in the sector, eg the Code of Practice on Admissions, University-owned Accommodation and the Knowledge Exchange Concordat.
• Research and Insight reports on issues that affect our members. Reports have included: The Value of Creative Graduates, Regulation Briefing Series, Tackling the Climate Crisis, Expertise in Action: impact of funding knowledge exchange activity at smaller and specialist universities, Governance in small students’ unions.

Meetings and events 

• Annual conference: two-day in-person event for senior leaders in our member institutions.
• 3 Council meetings per year (Head of Institution or Nominee). A mix of in-person and online. 
• Fortnightly Member meetings via Zoom on a Friday afternoon (SMT level). We invite external speakers from across the sector and beyond, and also provide updates about our policy and member engagement work.
• On behalf of the sector, GuildHE runs a number of meetings including the Teacher Education Advisory Group.
• Our sub-associations GuildHE Research and UKADIA also run meetings for subscribers. 
• Access to our wide range of networks, special interest groups and development forums.
• Our networks and special interest groups offer a space for our members’ academic and professional services staff to connect, build a community of practice, and share experiences. We also keep them informed about relevant policy developments, promote best practices, and value their input on GuildHE’s policy agenda. 

Institutional development 

Our development work supports members’ policy and practical approaches to key cultural, social and economic developments, including free speech, student protests, our Anti-Racism programme, regional development and skills initiatives, and through our knowledge exchange activity. We also have a pool of staff within our member institutions to support complaints, appeals and disciplinary processes where institutions may feel an external voice would support the process. 

We operate a development programme for members who are evolving their businesses. Programmes have included: 

• TEF writing and development group
• APP writing group
• EDI Leadership Programme
• Applying for Degree Awarding/Research Degree Awarding Powers/University Title

We are also able to provide helpful advice on OfS registration (on a 1-2-1 basis) and our CEO or other senior colleagues are available to attend and speak at one of your events if desirable (Board of Governors, for example).

Plus, we fund UUKi to unlock reduced rates for our members as well as engagement with others working internationally across the sector, members receive a discount for subscribing to WonkHE, and WonkHE SU, and alongside our full membership offer, we also provide access to 2 sub-associations, UKADIA and GuildHE Research.  

Join us 

Email us at info@guildhe.ac.uk to find out more and enquire about joining the GuildHE community.