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Walbrook Institute London

Institutional Strategy 2026–2031

Context and strategic rationale

Walbrook will build on its 150 years of institutional history in delivering both professional and career-focused higher education qualifications. Our heritage and strong relationship with the City of London provide a strong foundation for future development in professional education and in degree qualifications aligned to labour market needs.

The strategy centres on the provision of high-quality, digital-first learning supported by evolving educational technologies.

This reflects increasing demand for flexible study modes, rapid programme development cycles, and technology-enabled learning experiences. Walbrook has thrived by adapting to change, and this strategy continues that tradition.

By focusing on impactful education and outstanding student and learner experiences in high-demand subject areas, Walbrook aims to create competitive and educational advantage through:

    • Speed to market in programme design and launch
    • Accessibility and flexibility of provision
    • Strong, long-standing relationships with employers
    • Relevance of curricula to professional practice
    • Academic staff engaged in research, scholarship and professional practice
    • Inclusive and adaptable programme delivery that expands access
    • Future-ready skills for an AI-enabled world
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Walbrook's vision and mission

Our Vision and Mission express our long-term aspiration and describe our core purpose and activity.
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      Vision statement

      To be the UK's leading career-focused university, with global reach. 
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      Mission statement

      Enabling students to succeed in evolving labour markets by delivering accessible, career-focused and professionally relevant education. 

    Educational offer

    • Strategic intent

      To develop and deliver a portfolio of flexible, accessible and professionally relevant qualifications that address skills gaps in the UK economy. 

    • Context and rationale

      Labour market analysis indicates sustained and emerging skills gaps across finance, business, law, data and technology-related fields. Learners increasingly seek qualifications that are flexible, modular, and compatible with employment and other commitments. Employers seek graduates and professionals with current, applied and transferable skills.

    • Focus areas

        • Flexible and accessible degree programmes aligned to national skills priorities
        • Enhanced professional qualification provision in financial services
        • Rapid curriculum refresh cycles to maintain relevance
        • Digital-first and technology-enhanced learning models
        • Sustainable scale across higher and professional education

    • Priorities

        • Deliver a range of flexible, accessible and scalable degrees that address skills gaps in the UK economy.
        • Enhance the portfolio of scalable professional qualifications in finance and related areas.
        • Develop a research and scholarship culture with impact as a core driver.

    Institutional status

    • Strategic intent

      To progress institutional maturity, autonomy and external recognition. 

    • Context and rationale

      To support long-term sustainability and   
      credibility in the sector, Walbrook seeks to strengthen its institutional status. This   
      involves developing full operational   
      autonomy, strengthening governance and  quality assurance capability, and preparing for progression toward university title.  

    • Focus areas

        • Continuing to strengthen academic governance and quality assurance systems
        • Enhancing institutional capability to operate with full autonomy
        • Meeting regulatory and external assurance expectations
        • Preparing the evidence base for university title application
        • Ensuring institutional resilience through effective risk management

    • Priorities

        • Develop full operational autonomy.
        • Progress planning for applications for indefinite Degree Awarding Powers (iDAP) and university title.

    Student experience

    • Strategic intent

       To deliver outstanding experience and excellent outcomes to students. 

    • Context and rationale

      In an increasingly competitive environment, student experience is a critical differentiator. Students expect responsive academic support, clear progression pathways, high-quality teaching, and strong employment outcomes. Growth ambitions require scalable yet personalised support models. 

    • Focus areas

        • Coherent learner journeys from enrolment to graduation
        • Responsive academic and pastoral support
        • Digital engagement and learning analytics to support retention
        • Curriculum anchored in research-active professional practice
        • Monitoring of progression, satisfaction, achievement and outcomes
        • Strong student community and sense of belonging

    • Priorities

        • Design and implement clear learner journey frameworks to support progression from enrolment to completion.
        • Strengthen integrated academic and pastoral support, informed by learning analytics, to identify and assist learners at risk.
        • Enhance monitoring of progression, satisfaction, achievement and outcomes to inform continuous improvement.

    Sustainability and ethics

    • Strategic intent

      To be a sustainable and ethical institution with a positive and inclusive culture. 

    • Context and rationale

      Higher education institutions are increasingly expected to demonstrate responsible environmental practice, inclusive culture, ethical governance and strong staff wellbeing. Long-term sustainability requires balancing growth ambition with financial resilience, environmental responsibility and organisational health. 

    • Focus areas

        • Financially sustainable operating models
        • Environmental responsibility and carbon awareness
        • Strengthening equality, diversity and inclusion
        • Staff engagement, wellbeing and professional development
        • Ethical governance and transparent decision-making

    • Priorities

        • Embed wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and ethical governance practices across institutional decision-making.
        • Integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) responsibility into operations and reporting.

    Find out more about Walbrook

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      About us

      Get to know Walbrook – who we are, what we offer, and how our career-focused degrees and professional qualifications help you build your future.
      Explore Walbrook
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      Our history

      We’ve been shaping the future of education since 1879. Our story is one of transformation: always adapting to meet the needs of students and industries. 

      Learn about our history
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      Our governance

      Walbrook's Board of Directors guide our education in business, management, tech, data, and AI, setting the standard for innovation and quality. 
      Explore our governance