Discover and share good practice for smarter working universities

Demonstrating HE Efficiency and Effectiveness

This report focuses on how universities continue to deliver value for money in a climate where income is reducing in real terms and competition is increasing, while finding recurrent savings which will enable them to make necessary investments. It includes examples from universities across the UK where universities are saving money through efficient estate management.

Procurement as a strategic asset – report for Efficiency Exchange – July 2013

Report commissioned by the Efficiency Exchange to gather material to showcase the strategic value of procurement to the sector and how it can raise its profile, especially at senior leadership levels.

Dropbox for Teams

Cloud-based storage service to sync teamwork across all devices. We are negotiating a special price for the research and education sector.
David Jennings, ocTel Project Manager

Using technology to innovate: new MOOC from the Association for Learning Technology

The Association for Learning Technology (ALT) and its members organised a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) earlier in 2013 to help managers and teachers use technology in Higher Education.

Managing research contracts: Report for Brunswick Group October 2013

This report examines research contracts administration and includes benchmarking of resourcing levels and identifies best practice. Produced by Research Consulting for the Brunswick group of research intensive universities, October 2013.
HEFCE logo

VAT exemption for cost sharing groups: new guidance from Hefce

HEFCE has published guidance on VAT exemption for cost sharing groups delivering shared services. It includes illustrative examples of cost sharing groups and alternative delivery structures.

Analytics in higher education

Universities already collect vast amounts of data about their student populations, but often this is underutilised. This Universities UK report, written in partnership with Civitas Learning and Jisc, sets out the case for better use of analytics in higher education through effective implementation of appropriate technology and techniques.

Procurement: a guide for governors

In order to achieve a successful procurement model it is important to win over not only those who work in procurement but all employees in an organisation. This guide examines the role of governors in in overseeing procurement, part of their responsibility in ensuring universities achieve value for money.

Implementation of Cost-Sharing Exemption in Universities

N8 universities have been working towards utilisation of the VAT Cost-Sharing Exemption (CSE) for sharing of equipment through the development of an approved Cost Sharing Group (CSG) model. By using an existing shared asset - N8 high performance computing - as a model facility for setting up a CSG, the N8 hoped to demonstrate its value and viability.
PwC logo

The risks and challenges around large investment, transformation and change programmes in higher education

This document highlights the key issues and risks institutions should consider in managing institutional change and investment programmes and the sorts of questions non-executives should be asking. It is part of a series of documents around the theme of managing risk in higher education, each one focusing on different issues [registration required].