We are the voice of 60 smaller and specialist universities and colleges
GuildHE is an officially recognised representative body for UK Higher Education, championing distinction and diversity in the sector. Our 60 members include universities, university colleges, further education colleges and specialist institutions, representing over 150,000 students. Member institutions include some major providers in professional subject areas including art, design and media, music and the performing arts; agriculture and food; education; business and law, theology, the built environment; health and sports.

We inform and influence UK higher education Government policy
As a formal representative body, the Government consults GuildHE on higher education policies. As part of its lobbying work, GuildHE leads efforts to persuade the Government, politicians and official groups on issues around higher education. Our thinking helps influence the development of the Teaching Excellence Framework; Lord Stern’s review of the Research Excellence Framework; and the future regulation of the sector through the Higher Education and Research Bill. GuildHE promotes and maintains a distinctive, diverse, inclusive and internationally successful higher education sector in the UK, and articulates its benefits to students, employers and wider society.

We co-own sector infrastructure and nominate to key governing bodies
GuildHE co-owns much of the sector’s infrastructure and nominates member Vice Chancellors and Principals to the governing bodies of: 

• The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA)
• Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)
• Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA)
• Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA)
• AdvanceHE