UK universities are under pressure - financially, globally, and digitally. With international enrolment declining and competition intensifying, digital experience is now a decisive factor in student conversion.

Inviqa’s latest research, done in association with Aquia, dives into the digital performance of 20 non-Russell Group universities during peak clearing, a moment when every click counts.

The report reveals

• A sector clustered around adequacy, not distinction and where digital is treated as hygiene, not differentiation
• A narrow performance gap: the lowest-scoring university was just 18 points behind the leaders
• Compliance with accessibility guidelines, with significant room for improvement to make the experience convenient
• The top performers were:
  • University of Portsmouth (88%), 
  • University of Strathclyde (87%) 
  • Lancaster University (85%)
• These excelled in:
  • Website navigation
  • Content structure
  • Clarity on clearing
  • Trust-building through student-led content

These are also the areas where others struggled most, and where the greatest opportunities lie.

This report offers actionable insights for universities looking to elevate their digital experience, win with digital accessibility and stand out during the most competitive recruitment window of the year.

Download the report to see how your university compares and how Inviqa and Acquia can help you optimise your digital experience and accessibility to hit your 2026 clearing targets. 
 

Universities included in the research:
Aberystwyth University, Aston University, Heriot Watt University, Lancaster University, Loughborough University, Northumbria University, Royal Holloway University of London, Swansea University, University of Aberdeen, University of Bath, University of Dundee, University of East Anglia, University of Essex, University of Leicester, University of Portsmouth, University of Reading, University of Strathclyde Edinburgh, University of Surrey, University of Sussex, University of Arts London