Higher education
The Church has always been involved in higher education. Some have even claimed that the very first ‘universities’ were set up by cathedrals and monasteries, to train people who could help run the church.
Things have changed a great deal since then. There are now around 2.3 million students in universities in the UK – and another 150,000 studying in Further education colleges. Over 500,000 students are doing higher degrees like an MSc or MA, or a PhD, and almost half of all 18-19 year-olds in the UK now go to university.
While most students come from the UK, others come from all over the world, especially to do higher degrees - about 440,000 in total. UK universities are really varied in size and character, they are part of their communities and a major employer. They bring in almost £22 billion a year to the UK economy and play a huge part in research and innovation.
Vision document
We support university chaplaincies
There are around 1,000 people providing chaplaincy support to staff and students, many of them volunteers. Chaplains are there for all – staff or students – and for those of all faiths and none. We provide training, professional development for new and continuing chaplains, mentoring and a range of resources to support chaplains. We also offer advice to dioceses and universities on appointing chaplains and faith advisers.
The Cathedrals Group
There are 16 universities which were originally set up to train teachers for church schools. All are now universities in their own right and 12 of them include a Church of England foundation. They educate around 100,000 students a year.