An October 2023 survey revealed that 90% of vice-chancellors felt UK universities have “never faced greater threats or uncertainties” – can targeted, innovative uses of technology turn this situation around?   

One of the most immediate threats is the financial crunch caused largely by a domestic tuition fee freeze, weakened international demand for undergraduate places and increased competition for funding partnerships. A strong strategy for boosting these revenue streams involves offering stand-out digital facilities and experiences to attract valuable students as well as research or industry partnerships. 

The key is differentiation, achieved by delivering what competitors can’t. For students, this can include a learning experience that’s tailored, digitally advanced and immersive, blending in-person and remote learning into satisfying and effective outcomes. It can also involve giving access to technological environments that replicate specialist industry workplaces, such as TV and animation studios to establish a world-standing and reputation that will attract international applications. 

However, the greatest potential may lie in forging and growing lucrative industry research and development partnerships that make the university an innovation hub and open opportunities to run specialist degree courses in the relevant research fields. This, too, can enhance an institution’s reputation, and draw in student applications.

Universities that can offer both space and the strong, smart network infrastructure and connectivity foundations capable of supporting advanced and emerging technologies are ready to target industry and research partnerships. A high-level view of the potential in just four areas shows how universities can use technology to drive revenue streams.

As a volatile geopolitical environment and increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks make critical national infrastructure and industry data more vulnerable than ever, the UK is fertile ground to build cyber security expertise.

Cyber security development is a significant teaching opportunity for universities, too. With an industry shortfall of over 100,000 cyber security professionals in the past year, it’s set to be a growth area, attractive to students looking for secure employment. Tertiary institutions that set themselves apart with industry-leading cyber security facilities for teaching and research, will be in a strong position to capitalise on this uptick in demand.

UK healthcare is at a critical juncture. For the better part of two years, the pandemic severely restricted non-essential surgery – increasing patient backlogs and preventing trainees from accessing crucial industry experience. Universities and University Hospitals have a leading role to play in providing a steady stream of competent, qualified medical professionals, potentially via accelerated training paths.

Digital technology can expand and enhance learning opportunities, with use cases ranging from virtual wards to remote surgery and AR assisted surgery. It can also help to bolster research and development facilities that will revolutionise medical treatment in the future.

Powerful, well-financed organisations – from governments to corporations - are under increasing pressure to find sustainable solutions and partnerships for their future projects. It’s a young area of research and development, but this greenfield space is a significant opportunity for universities.

There are already exciting use cases cropping up around the country, like the University of Stirling’s world-leading ‘living laboratory’, which uses “sensors, satellite data and artificial intelligence to provide vital information on water quality and other factors to inform decisions that could provide major economic and sustainability benefits”. 

Running alongside these lucrative research investments is a growing cohort of young people who are deeply invested in sustainability. Around 82% of Generation Z are concerned about the state of the planet, highlighting the significant undergraduate population which will be looking to universities that offer stand-out environmental facilities and learning opportunities.

Industry 4.0 will continue to revolutionise the manufacturing sector over the coming years, and it will need a strong body of trained specialists to accelerate and optimise digitalisation initiatives. 

Tapping into advanced manufacturing research and training through dedicated research centres and world-class facilities will help universities access this lucrative revenue stream, while also supporting the UK manufacturing industry on its journey to unlock digital manufacturing.

No matter what vertical your institution targets, a robust, agile network and connectivity foundation is essential. Without it, it’s almost impossible to use advanced technologies to transform user experiences, support emerging learning models, and underpin the research requirements of industry and government partnerships.

This smart campus foundation provides universities with the flexibility to adopt evolving technologies and pivot rapidly to take advantage of emerging opportunities.

Universities that can offer both space and the strong, smart network infrastructure and connectivity foundations capable of supporting advanced and emerging technologies are ready to target industry and research partnerships. A high-level view of the potential in just four areas shows how universities can use technology to drive revenue streams.