University sponsors

Each University Technical College is developed in collaboration with a University sponsor. Universities contribute to the UTC programme in a variety of ways including but not limited to:

  • Aligning the curriculum to career and academic pathways
  • Participation in UTC governance
  • Creating a culture of excellence
  • Provision of real-life projects
  • Expert knowledge of both education and our specialist areas
  • Reputation and experience
  • Cutting edge facilities
  • Positive role models

“As a sponsor governor of the Liverpool Life Sciences UTC since its creation, the University of Liverpool values the UTC’s work in educating the next generation of local students. The embedded nature of both academic and employer content in the UTC’s curriculum has created an ambitious, engaged and intellectually curious community of students.

At the University of Liverpool, we are proud to have provided successive UTC year groups with a wide range of fantastic opportunities and experiences: from guest lecture series, to real-life project briefs based on our academics’ research expertise. Plus a full programme of HE information, advice and outreach activities.”

- John Corish, University of Liverpool

Universities

UTCs are working with world-leading universities...

How UTCs and Univerities work together


UTC Sheffield

One of the most striking characteristics of both UTCs in Sheffield is the rich blend of real partnership work. Both UTCs benefit from substantial support from the universities as well as from the local Chamber of Commerce and the LEP. This is exemplified by the high numbers of UTC leavers heading to the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre which itself is a genuine collaboration between the University of Sheffield and some of the highest profile employers in the country (Rolls Royce, Airbus, Boeing, BAE, and lately, McLaren). As well as working on collaborative bids for funding of specialist equipment and materials’ testing with Sheffield Hallam, UTC Sheffield has also collaborated with Sheffield University and Siemens on joint recruitment events.

UTC Oxfordshire

UTC Oxfordshire has long standing relationships with founding partners University of Reading and Royal Holloway. Additionally, they have developed a mutually beneficial working partnership with Oxford Brookes that capitalises on the university’s goal to undertake real activities with local schools in the community. Over three years, the University has tested and adapted a research programme that sees university staff, PhDs and UTC sixth formers working together. Its best described in the summary below and it clearly has benefits for pupils and their preparation for future careers.