University challenge: how estate teams are investing and innovating despite financial pressures

By Mike Borkowski 2025-10-20T06:00:00

In the face of ever-increasing budgetary strain, universities are shifting their focus from expansive projects towards schemes that deliver operational savings, environmental performance and an all-round better student experience, writes Mike Borkowski

With UK universities facing rising deficits, course cuts and job losses, one group is quietly driving transformation: the estates and facilities teams.

At Morgan Sindall we work closely with universities across the country, and we are seeing at first hand how estate departments are not just maintaining their campuses – they are transforming them.

The focus largely has shifted from expansive capital projects to targeted investments with lasting impact. Universities are refocusing on projects which deliver long-term operational savings, environmental performance and better experiences for students and staff.

Refurbishments that modernise existing space, retrofits that reduce energy demand, and adaptive reuse of underutilised buildings are all becoming the norm.

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