Implementation of the 2025-26 award
On 17 July, following the conclusion of the dispute resolution process (see below), UCEA wrote to HEIs participating in the pay round to advise them to implement the final offer, with effect from 1 August 2025.
15 July 2025
UCEA issued a blog by Raj Jethwa on 14 July 2025. Collective experience was first published on the Research Professional website on 13 July.
UCEA issued a statement in response to UCU's announcement on 10 July.
7 July 2025
Following the conclusion of the Dispute Resolution Meetings UCEA wrote to the five trade unions sharing the Full and Final offer (see below). The trade unions are asked to respond to this offer in seven working days.
UCEA Full and Final offer - 4 July 2025
20 May 2025
UCEA and representatives of the five trade unions met in London for the third and final meeting of the pay round on 15 May.
UCEA wrote to the unions on 20 May with a Full and Final offer
UCEA Full and Final offer - 20 May 2025
UCEA issued the following media release - UCEA’s final pay offer is an uplift restricted by the sector’s unprecedented pressures
16 April 2025
UCEA and representatives of the five trade unions met in Glasgow for the second meeting of the pay round. Talks will continue on 15 May.
31 March 2025
UCEA and representatives of the five trade unions met in London for the first meeting of the pay round. Talks will continue on 16 April.
List of participating HEIs 2025-26
The list of participating HEIs was shared with the unions ahead of the first negotiating meeting on 31 March.
List of participating HEIs 2025-26
Employers' Statement
UCEA set out the context and challenges in the Employers' Statement which has been presented at the start of the negotiations at the end of March 2025.
New JNCHES 2025-26 - Employers' statement
Joint trade unions' claim
The Trade Unions 'Heads of Claim' was sent to UCEA on 25 February 2025
Joint Union Heads of Claim 2025-26
The Trade Unions’ full claim for 2025-26 was sent to UCEA on 10 March 2025
Trade Unions’ full claim for 2025-26
Meeting dates for 2025-26
The three negotiating meeting dates for the 2025-26 pay round are as follows:
- Monday 31 March 2025
- Wednesday 16 April 2025
- Thursday 15 May 2025
