Aspiring Vice Chancellor Development Programme for Black & Asian Heritage Senior Professionals 2026

The University of Greater Manchester, in conjunction with the sector and a charity, developed a National Aspiring VC Development programme for Minoritised groups in the last academic year.

Course Description

The first cohort all completed the programme in June 2025 and feedback from all the delegates was positive. Please see here to watch videos from the inaugural participants of the VC Programme at the University of Greater Manchester.

This year we are offering the programme at a subsidised cost of £3,100 per participant (which the University is offering at cost and no profit). Participants will be expected to cover their own transport and hotel costs.

The University of Greater Manchester is the main sponsor with the support of the Caribbean & African Health Network (CAHN). This year’s programme will commence on the 14 and 15 May 2026 and end in December 2026. This programme will produce the next cohort of Black and Asian trained leaders ready for Vice Chancellor roles across our UK Universities. The Programme is designed to address the lack of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic staff at the highest decision-making positions in UK higher education. The goal is to provide the foundational skills to lead using mentorship and coaching which will prepare participants for VC roles. 

In developing the programme, the University of Greater Manchester has collaborated with a diverse pool of influential stakeholders across the academic and business sector. Guest speakers include Vice Chancellors, Business Specialists and EDI specialists.

Programme Outline

·         Entrepreneurial and strategic leadership principles

·         Negotiating and navigating the academic and business landscape

·         Inclusive workplace culture.

·         The current EDI challenges from academic and professional lenses

·         Strategies and policies in HE institutions

·         HEI in the current climate commercial, quality, academic portfolio

·         Financial management and regulatory compliance including different income streams and managing a diverse portfolio.

·         The Big People Questions - academic and professional support service structures

·         Governance arrangements within HEIs

·         Networking and Influencing (political, supportive)

·         Communicating for influence

·         Supporting and Scaling Engagement

·         Change Management within HEIs

·         A live brief / senior leadership project to be delivered at own institution on any of the programme content.