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The role of universities in their local area

In its Immigration White Paper the Government proposed that higher education institutions will need to demonstrate they are considering local impacts when making decisions on international recruitment. The unsaid implication is that providers seeking to increase their Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) allocations may not be successful if they can’t show what they’re doing to ensure international recruitment numbers are sustainable in their area. 

We know that many BUILA members already work closely with local leaders, service providers and businesses within their region and we’ve collated some best practice below. We will continue to develop work on this subject and take a deeper look into what makes for a successful local collaboration to support government thinking in this area.
 

Greater Manchester  

  • In collaboration with the Mayor, Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester’s five leading higher education institutions have signed the Greater Manchester Civic University Agreement. The agreement encourages close working between the higher education institutions and ten local authorities to drive joint action on six priority areas across the region: education and skills, reducing inequalities, jobs and growth, the digital economy, net zero and the creative & cultural economy. The aim is to drive improvements for residents and students across the region.  
     
  • The Agreement outlines the organisations’ shared commitment to collaborate to improve the city region in the medium term. For example, on education and skills, it sets out how the organisations will jointly contribute to addressing skills gaps, widening participation and working in conjunction with industry to meet local labour market shortages.  
     
  • Mirroring the Civic Agreement, the region also operates the Greater Manchester Student Partnership, the coming together of 5 Students’ Unions with the Combined Authority to be the voice for students across the city region. Its aim is to support students to thrive during their studies and to remain in the region for work afterwards. The Partnership works to support students’ access to affordable housing and frequent and affordable transport options. It also promotes student safety across the region and access to mental health services.  

 

Edinburgh 

  • In Edinburgh, the four universities have collaborated to conduct research to evaluate where there is accommodation need and how best to address this. By the size of its full-time student population, Edinburgh is the seventh largest location in the UK, home to 62,660 students in 2021/22. The student population in Edinburgh has grown quickly over the last decade and such growth in student numbers has inevitably increased the demand for bed spaces in the city. This is against the backdrop of Scotland declaring a housing emergency. 
  • The research found that average weekly rents for students in the City are 14% higher than peer group comparison universities and the average price of a private sector direct-let bed is over 30% higher. Annually, a direct-let bed is priced 91% higher than a university room, far higher than the 50% average across the peer group.
  • The report concluded that partnership working between local authorities and higher education institutions must be formed to explore options such as planning dispensation on development on campus land to meet the need for student housing while freeing up sites for general development across the region. The universities are working jointly with the Council on the new Edinburgh Housing Strategy to address these issues. 
  • Alongside this, the student unions across the city have been working to make sure that the housing challenges faced by students are captured in the Housing (Scotland) Bill through working closely with MSPs. This has led to three key amendments being passed to the Bill to address unaffordable rents for students and to increase their housing protections.  
     

Wales 

  • In Wales, a strong collaborative partnership between the Welsh Government, local authorities and universities has supported the NHS to fill staffing gaps with international students.
  • In 2023, the Welsh Government granted Welsh universities permission to recruit international students onto Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW)-sponsored undergraduate nursing programmes offered by relevant Welsh higher education institutions (HEIs). This decision was made in response to the significant decline in domestic applications and the employment gaps observed across the NHS in Wales.
  • The vast majority of Welsh HEIs participated in this new strategy, with HEIW sponsoring the majority (in some cases all) of the tuition fees for international applicants throughout their undergraduate studies. These degrees include placements, providing students with early exposure to the working health environment and preparing them effectively for their two-year contract in the Welsh NHS upon graduation. 

  • Ultimately, this initiative addressed a local supply issue. As it is only two years into this three-year scheme (with an extension pending next year), there is currently no quantitative data available to demonstrate the return on investment at this stage.  

     

Teesside  

  • Teesside University works closely with the region’s mayor, councils and industry to ensure international students are welcomed, supported, and empowered to contribute meaningfully to the Tees Valley. 
  • This includes close working with local health providers, including on-campus GP visits, and to fill recruitment gaps for local businesses through the University recruitment scheme. Feedback from businesses benefitting from international student workers included:  

“I have been really pleased with the service from Teesside University. The process was very easy to use from start to finish. Our student worker was brilliant – professional, friendly, and a great representative throughout. I wouldn’t hesitate to use the service again or to recommend it to others.” 

“Thanks to the last-minute support of Unitemps (University recruitment agency), I was able to get some much-needed help with an event taking place on a Friday evening. Following a brief discussion with 3 very helpful and confident Teesside University students, I was able to leave our guests and staff in their very capable hands.”  

“I just wanted to say how fantastic your staff have been they have really supported me and shown dedication and professionalism.” 

  • There is also a strong practice of international students volunteering with local charities and organisations, making a significant positive contribution to their local community. These include feedback from organisations as follows:  

Sewuese Adzege – Middlesbrough Council 

Sewuese was very hardworking, conscientious and always wanting to learn what other members of the team's roles involved. She was eager and quick to learn new tasks which was a massive support to the team and her line manager. Following volunteering, Sewuese is now an employed member of the team. 

 

Temitope Fagbuaro – Genesis Project 

Temi's contributions to the organisation have been invaluable. He has worked tirelessly alongside other volunteers to create a welcoming and productive space for the community initiative on climate change. His efforts helped foster intergenerational participation and a deeper connection between the students and the wider community. 
 

Kikelomo Ayoola – North Tees NHS Trust – Volunteer of the Year Award 

Kike was a kind, polite and friendly person who quickly embraced her volunteer role, offering her support with any task asked and with a smile on her face. I was very impressed with how soon Kike integrated with and became friendly with all of the ward staff she met, but more importantly, it soon became clear that Kike had bundles of empathy for the patients who she treated with the utmost care, respect and kindness. 
 

Abayomi Dawodu – Walk & Trust 

Yomi made a film for the Walk & Trust's Heritage 100 campaign, a project designed to create 100 circular, collectable walks in County Durham. Yomi’s video has helped to promote the project and has been pivotal in securing sponsorship from funders.  


Meryem Nur Coban Cetinkaya – St John of God - Unsung Hero Award 

The charity supports people with learning and physical disabilities. Meryem’s support has had a direct and positive impact on individuals' lives. Moreover, her efforts to co-train professionals ensure long-term benefits by equipping service providers with the tools and knowledge necessary to better support autistic individuals.  

 

From all of these examples, it is clear that the interests of local residents and students are best promoted where there is close collaboration between the university and others in its community. We will continue to request case studies to identify the key elements of what contributes to the most successful regional collaborations and share good practice with colleagues. 

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