Case study: Strategy support for a UK university

The context

The university needed external support to refine its understanding of its market and competition, identifying what makes (and could make) it distinctive, and defining its strategy accordingly.

Our role

We conducted an extensive analysis of student demand for different course types and subjects, and competitor approaches. We then reviewed the university’s current operations, and the available alternatives against our proprietary ‘degrees of freedom’ framework, and recommended the strategy which would maximise the ability to grow. We also analysed the key drivers of profitability at the course level.

The outcome

The work provided a new framework for thinking about the future of the university and setting its course. Management acted upon the insight into course demand, delivery economics, and strategic distinctiveness.