Wales stands on the cusp of significant political change. With an expanded Welsh Parliament and revised voting system, the 2026 Senedd election will mark a new chapter in Welsh democracy.
May’s election will also be the first where 16- and 17-year-olds can cast their vote. This is a generation whose recent experience of education, and their future university and career aspirations, could be central to the choices they make at the ballot box.
For those of us working in higher education, these changes present both a challenge and an opportunity. The new proportional voting system will likely result in a more diverse Senedd that will require greater collaboration across parties in order to be effective. For Universities Wales, this means we must continue to engage constructively with all political groups, building consensus around the vital role universities play in shaping a stronger Wales.
A larger Senedd also means expanded committees and greater capacity for policy scrutiny. This is a welcome development that offers more space for detailed debate on the issues that matter, from economic growth and skills, to research, innovation, and community wellbeing. It also means more elected representatives who can champion higher education.
Against this context, Universities Wales has launched a manifesto that sets out a clear vision for the future. It is a vision rooted in national renewal; one that sees universities as the essential infrastructure needed for Wales to thrive. Our message is simple: when universities succeed, Wales succeeds.
Building jobs and skills
In an age of rapid economic and technological change, Wales’ economy demands a flexible and highly skilled workforce. With Wales estimated to need 400,000 more graduates by 2035, universities will be central to supporting the next Welsh Government in meeting future economic needs and building a more skilled and prosperous nation.
However, delivering on this ambition will require greater recognition of the role universities already play in delivering skills – including through the degree apprenticeships system – alongside a renewed focus on financial sustainability.
A sustainable university sector is key to unlocking investment, productivity, and growth across Wales. Given recent challenges, an independent review of university funding and student support will be an essential step in ensuring universities can continue to deliver for Wales, now and into the future.
Driving opportunity
Wales’ future prosperity depends on our ability to nurture talent and equip people with the skills to thrive in a fast-moving world. Graduates are the backbone of our economy and the drivers of our future success. Put simply, there will be no growth without graduates.
However, in Wales, we are seeing a worrying decline in the percentage of 18-year-olds choosing to go to university.
We cannot afford to keep recycling old arguments about the value of a university education. We need to be stronger in demonstrating its essential role in shaping future prospects. If we fail, we risk leaving the next generation less qualified and with fewer pathways to success.
Taking action to understand and reverse this trend through an independent commission on participation could unlock the potential of thousands of people, upskilling the economy and driving social mobility.
Supporting research, innovation and local growth
Equally as important is ensuring there is recognition and appropriate support for the full spectrum of work carried out by our universities, both here at home and through their international activities, which strengthen Wales’ global presence and influence.
For example, while university research and innovation benefits people, business and public services across the nation and beyond, it is an area that continues to be significantly underfunded; pro-rata to population size, in 2024–25, the funding allocations made by HEFCW (now Medr) for R&I in Wales were £57m lower than those made by Research England for England, and £86m lower than in Scotland.
Consequently, our manifesto pushes for greater investment in research, innovation and commercialisation within the current system of R&I funding. This means increases to QR funding, as well as further investment through the Research Wales Innovation Fund. This will be crucial to unlocking productivity and growth across all parts of Wales.
We are also calling for greater support for the important work universities do within their communities to drive economic growth, attract investment, support public services, and shape the places where people live, work and thrive.
The cliff-edge of funding caused by the loss of EU Structural Funds – which Wales particularly benefitted from – and the inadequacy of replacement funding, has had a detrimental impact on universities’ activity in this area. This is why long-term regional investment funding, channelled through the Welsh government, will be vital to supporting universities’ roles as anchor institutions, and encouraging private co-investment.
Wales’ national renewal
These priorities are not partisan. Every political party wants to see a thriving, prosperous Wales – and that vision depends on a strong, resilient and effective university sector. We know that the next Welsh government, whatever its composition, will face tough choices. But investing in universities is not a luxury, it is a strategic necessity that strengthens our economy, builds resilience, and transforms lives.
As chair of Universities Wales, I believe our sector stands ready to play a central role in Wales’ future. The political system may be shifting, but our aim remains the same: to support a strong, fair, and successful Wales. This is a pivotal moment for our sector and for the nation. Now is the time to recognise the full value of Welsh universities, and to place them at the heart of Wales’ national renewal.