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"As a university committed to inclusiveness, we want our governing body to reflect the rich diversity of the groups we serve, and to hear the voices of people of all ages, backgrounds and circumstances. The GIVE programme will strengthen our ability to do that, along with providing a meaningful way for alumni to help shape ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø."

"As Student President at ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø, I am a member of the University’s Court. Through my membership, I’ve witnessed the crucial role of the Court in contributing to the strategic direction of the University and ensuring good governance. The experience I’ve gained in being on the board has given me fantastic transferable skills, helping me to understand how businesses work, and how to work effectively with different boards and their members. Through this, my membership has given me an appetite for trustee and non-exec director roles in the future. By participating in GIVE, you can gain the same sort of benefits as I did from my role in the University Court and have the same sort of fulfilling experience as I have."

"Boards exist to guarantee positive and effective governance of organisations, making it so important that their membership reflects the diversity of our society, ensuring that a wide range of voices are heard, and that the decisions made benefit people from all different walks of life. As the GIVE scheme is designed to diversify the pool of candidates for ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø’s governing body, its Court, it serves as a great way to ensure that University governance addresses the needs of the communities it serves."

"I can personally attest that board membership is an incredibly fulfilling way to contribute positively to society, both within the university and beyond. My own experience as a Court member has been exceptional. It allows me to apply my professional skills, make a meaningful impact, and continually learn and grow."

"The ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø board apprenticeship scheme, GIVE, provides formal training and mentoring, helping participants prepare for Court membership and other board roles. It aims to create a talent pool of diverse individuals with varied perspectives, enabling ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø to thrive. I would wholeheartedly encourage interested people to apply."

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Details of the scheme

Participants in the GIVE scheme will receive training and mentoring on board membership and will be able to observe meetings of the Court over the course of the 2024/5 academic year. (There are five meetings of Court held each academic year, normally held in-person from 3pm on Wednesday afternoons.) Participants will also have the chance to observe meetings of Court sub-committees, including the Finance & Estates Committee and the Audit and Risk Committee.  

Mentoring will be from a current Court member and ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø staff who are experts in higher education (HE) governance. Training will include options to participate in external training programmes, e.g. through Advance HE.

Participation in the Give scheme is voluntary, participants will not be remunerated, and the role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

GIVE scheme participants are not Court members and are therefore not expected to contribute to discussions or to take decisions. Following successful completion of the GIVE scheme, it is anticipated that participants will be eligible for full membership of the University Court and can join the Court subject to there being an appropriate vacancy in the membership.

Applications to the GIVE scheme are currently closed. We anticipate that applications will open again in spring 2026. 

The Court is the governing body of the University.

The University is a company limited by guarantee and a charity. Court members are consequently Directors and Charitable Trustees.

The Court is responsible for carrying out the objectives of the University, ensuring the financial sustainability of the University and approving the strategic plan.

The Court is supported by the following 'standing committees' i.e. the Finance & Estates Committee, the Audit and Risk Committee, the Nominations Committee and the Senior Management Remuneration Committee. The Health and Safety Committee and the Equality and Diversity Committee also report to Court.

The Court delegates responsibility to the Senate for the academic work of the University and the conferring of degrees and other awards. Operational management is delegated to the University’s senior leadership team under the leadership of the Principal and Vice-Chancellor.

An important aspect of the Court’s work is establishing and monitoring systems of control and accountability, including financial control, and reviewing the performance of the University. The Court approves the mission and strategic vision of the University, its long-term business plans, key performance indicators (KPIs) and annual budgets, and ensures that these meet the needs of stakeholders.

The Court also appoints the Principal of the University and has in place arrangements for monitoring their performance.

Find out more about the University Court and its current members.