Digital transformation in higher education

Explore TechnologyOne’s insights on the Social Market Foundation’s ‘Byte the Budget’ research, examining how UK universities can leverage digital transformation to drive efficiency, resilience, and improved student outcomes.

UK higher education faces unprecedented financial and operational pressures, from tuition fee freezes and inflation, to changes in international student recruitment. Thoughtful digital transformation is now essential for universities to maintain competitiveness, enhance the student experience, and achieve long-term resilience.

TechnologyOne works alongside institutions to turn insights from independent research into actionable, sustainable outcomes. By modernising core systems and embracing Software as a Service (SaaS) enterprise solutions, universities can improve operational efficiency, enable data-driven decision-making, and strengthen strategic agility.

What’s inside the paper:

• Reflections on the Social Market Foundation (SMF) research, capturing insights from senior university leaders, finance officers, and digital experts on digital transformation challenges and opportunities.
• Strategic benefits of SaaS solutions for core systems, efficiency, and data-driven decision-making.
• Guidance on overcoming barriers such as uneven digital maturity, skills gaps, and cultural resistance.
• Key recommendations for embedding digital transformation into long-term strategy, with TechnologyOne’s perspective on supporting universities through integrated systems, governance, and people-focused approaches.

View TechnologyOne’s insights paper ‘Digital transformation in higher education’