The Code is based on ten principles that are relevant to all independent providers of higher education.
Since the Code was first published in 2021, governance has moved decisively up the agenda across the higher education sector, with growing attention from regulators, funders and institutions themselves to the effectiveness of boards, the culture in which they operate, and their accountability to students and the public.
In this 2026 refresh, the Code’s Ten Principles remain unchanged, and the great majority of its content stands as first published. Where we have made changes, they reflect this shift in sector focus — strengthening the Code’s provisions on board effectiveness, on the culture and behaviours expected within the boardroom, on governance exercised in the interests of students, and on the embedding of risk management across board processes.
The Ten Principles
Clarity of Roles
Collective Responsibility
Academic Governance
Risk Management
Size and Skill
Effectiveness
Integrity
Remuneration
Fair Reporting
Students and Stakeholders
The Code is intended to be implemented flexibly and is produced on an "apply or explain" basis. Whilst the principles represent generally accepted good governance, the underpinning structures and ways of working to deliver the principles in practice will vary from provider to provider and it will be for each provider to determine how best the principles can be embedded in their own specific context.
We hope this Code will go some way to supporting efficacy, accountability and quality in the institutions that adopt it, and in the development of new practice across the higher education sector.
The original (2021) and refreshed (2026) versions of the Code were developed in partnership with Shakespeare Martineau, ensuring continuity of legal expertise and technical drafting throughout the Code’s evolution.
Download the IHE Code
Supplementary guidance
Guidance on board composition (Shakespeare Martineau, 2022)
This guidance has been created by Shakespeare Martineau to support the implementation of Principle 5 in the IHE Code of Governance: Size and Skill.
This guidance is available to IHE Members only. To request a copy, please email [email protected].
Guidance to support the induction and development of board members (Advance HE, 2024)
This guidance has been created by Advance HE and provides information and resources for clerks to boards, secretaries of institutions and anyone involved with the induction and development of board members and governance of independent providers of higher education.
This guidance is available to IHE Members only. To request a copy, please email [email protected].
Mental health strategy guidance for board members (Counterculture Partnership LLP, 2026)
This guidance has been created by Counterculture Partnership LLP to support board members at independent providers to effectively oversee the implementation of institutional mental health strategies.
The guidance will benefit:
- providers that have an existing mental health strategy as part of their wider suite of policies
- providers that have a standalone mental health strategy
- providers that are writing a mental health strategy for the first time