Regional access partnerships
Implementation timetable
This timetable shows the planned development and implementation of regional access partnerships. It includes key milestones for funding and commissioning, partnership development, and delivery activities.
Partnerships are expected to launch in September 2027. Regional action plans are expected to be delivered from September 2028.
These dates are indicative and depend on future strategic priorities grant (SPG) funding and guidance from the Department for Education (DfE). We expect further information from early 2027, informed by the Higher Education Access and Participation Task and Finish Group and the planned consultation on SPG reform.
Timetable
| Milestone | Timing |
|---|---|
|
Regions: Second iteration of proposed regions shared. |
August 2026 |
|
Commissioning launch and regional meetings: Launch commissioning process for regional access partnerships. The Director for Fair Access and Participation will convene a series of regional meetings between October and November 2026, bringing together current Uni Connect chairs, university and further education college representative bodies, and regional stakeholders from each proposed region to discuss establishing collaborative structures. |
October - November 2026 |
|
Commissioning: Further development within regions of collaboration structures, proposed members, and governance arrangements. |
November 2026 - January 2027 |
|
Access and Participation Task and Finish Group: Final report and recommendations published. |
January 2027 |
|
Commissioning: Deadline for commissioning process. |
February 2027 |
|
Commissioning: Review, approval and confirmation of regional access partnerships. |
March - April 2027 |
|
Funding: Grant letters issued to regional access partnerships for 2027-28 academic year. |
Conditional on timing of 2027-28 SPG guidance letter |
|
Funding: Partnerships to set out their use of funding in 2027-28. |
May - July 2027 |
|
Funding: First grant payments for 2027-28 made to regional access partnerships. |
August 2027 |
|
Regional access partnerships commence: In their first year partnerships will focus on assessing regional higher education priorities across the life course, identifying risks to equality of opportunity for learners at all ages and stages, and agreeing an action plan to address these priorities, while continuing, where possible, to deliver effective interventions for young learners previously supported through Uni Connect. National and local evaluations commence. |
September 2027 - July 2028 |
|
Regional assessments and plans: The OfS reviews and approves regional risk registers and action plans that have been developed. |
April 2028 |
|
Funding: Grant letters issued to regional access partnerships for 2028-29 academic year. |
Conditional on timing and content of 2028-29 SPG guidance letter |
|
2028-29 academic year: Delivery of actions associated with regional risk registers begins and initiation of next stages of collaborations. |
September 2028 - July 2029 |
|
2029-30 academic year onwards: Collaborative delivery against plans continues. Regional assessments and action plans will be renewed and updated periodically. National and local evaluations continue and inform delivery. |
July 2029 - onwards |
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