The 2026 Higher Education Data Challenges Report.
UK universities do not have a data problem on paper; they have data strategies, AI roadmaps and more systems than ever, but this report shows how, on the ground, those investments are still failing to deliver a coherent student experience. Our interviews with data experts from 15 top universities, like Manchester, Glasgow, and Bradford, show the truth that these aren't delivering well for student experience. Drawing on interviews with practitioners across the sector, it reveals a consistent pattern:
What the interviews expose:
The interviews highlight five themes that recur across very different institutions and roles:
1. Too many systems, no single source of truth
Data about students, staff and operations is scattered across overlapping platforms, spreadsheets and local repositories, with no universally trusted source of truth.
2. Data quality you cannot trust
Most HE professionals rated their organisation’s data quality somewhere in the middle of the scale; they describe incomplete records, clashing systems and zones of data they simply will not rely on for important decisions.
3. AI readiness built on shaky foundations
Some universities are piloting co-pilots and AI platforms, others are unsure what is happening centrally – but almost everyone recognises that without better data foundations, AI will amplify, not solve, existing problems.
If you work in IT, data, or digital transformation in the Higher Education sector, this report offers insights that can help you build a stronger data foundation for the future. For CIOs, CTOs, CFOs and digital leaders, this report offers insights to help guide smarter technology investments and more confident data-driven decisions.