University governance in England

Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis
Produced in partnership with Smita Jamdar of Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Practice notes

University governance in England

Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis

Produced in partnership with Smita Jamdar of Shakespeare Martineau LLP

Practice notes
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The different types of universities and their governance arrangements

Universities in England are constituted in a variety of ways and therefore have a range of different governance arrangements.

Chartered universities

Universities established by Royal Charter have a council and a senate.

The council is the executive governing body responsible for:

  1. •

    the management and administration of the revenue and property of the university

  2. •

    exercising general control over the conduct of the affairs of the university, subject to the powers of the senate, and

  3. •

    discharging such specific powers and duties as are set out in the university charter, statutes and ordinances

The senate is, subject to the powers of the council, responsible for the academic teaching and research work of the university and for the regulation of the education and discipline of the university’s students.

The membership of the council and senate is as set out in each university’s governing documents. However, the number of lay members of council (ie not staff or student members) must exceed the total of non-lay members.

Membership

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Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
Related legal acts:
Key definition:
University definition
What does University mean?

An institution which provides higher education.

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