As the UK representative body for independent providers of higher education, professional training and pathways, IHE promotes the values of diversity, flexibility, innovation, student focus and collaboration across the higher education sector. We have an ambitious strategy to grow our membership, our influence and the services we offer to members.
IHE is the formal representative body for independent providers of higher education, professional training and pathways in the UK. We ensure that the voice of independent providers is heard and the interests of their students are protected when government, regulators and others make decisions which affect their lives and their learning.
Our representative role is underpinned by a mission to promote the values of diversity, flexibility, innovation, student focus and collaboration within UK higher education. We achieve this by advising, supporting and promoting the institutions in our membership, all of whom in joining sign up to these values and commit themselves to putting them into practice.
We ensure that the voice of independent providers is heard and the interests of their students are protected
We are midway through implementing our Strategy 2021-2024, which set ambitious goals for IHE in the areas of:
Read the full strategy online here.
IHE’s work is shaped by a set of core values, which we see as being common to our members and which we believe are to the benefit of students and learners of all ages, backgrounds and needs, as well as to the general benefit of the UK economy and of society as a whole.
These five values are defined as:
Diversity
Recognising that the choices and aspirations of students are best promoted by supporting the distinctive nature of providers within a diverse ecosystem of provision.
Flexibility
Recognising that individual students have complex lives and varied needs which may shape how they can access and participate in learning, requiring flexibility in provision.
Innovation
Recognising that technological progress and economic change require education to undergo continual review, renewal and improvement in how it is designed and delivered.
Student focus
Recognising that the most important part in any education is played by the person who is learning, and their needs and interests must be kept at the heart of a provider’s mission.
Collaboration
Recognising that higher education has the most potential to improve the lives of students by working closely in collaboration with the industries and communities they care about.
