The University of Madeira Students’ Union, The Madeiran Heritage Engagement Group, The University of Madeira Students’ Union Club and the Royal College of Arts Students’ Union have come together to launch THE KENSINGTON GROUP, a think tank dedicated to rethinking the future of higher education, science and technology in Europe. With a strong focus on arts, culture, education, technology, and research, this work group will bring together students, former students, officers, and staff members from all institutions, creating a dynamic space for discussion, collaboration, and policy development at a time of rapid transformation in universities. By combining the perspectives of current and past students with those of institutional leaders and academic professionals, THE KENSINGTON GROUP aims to foster meaningful dialogue and generate innovative solutions to the challenges facing European higher education.
THE KENSINGTON GROUP’S name reflects the origins of this partnership. Before those institutions created the Group, the first meeting between them took place at the Royal College of Art’s South Kensington campus in London in 2025. South Kensington has long been a centre for academic excellence and is home to leading institutions. This rich intellectual tradition inspires the think tank’s mission to foster meaningful dialogue and shape the future of European higher education.
Higher education in the UK and Portugal:
common challenges, different realities
Although higher education in the UK and Portugal operate in distinct contexts, both systems face shared challenges, particularly in funding, digital transformation, and international cooperation.
British universities, traditionally seen as global leaders in higher education, are navigating an increasingly uncertain landscape shaped by financial strain, shifting policies, and changing international ties. Brexit has disrupted the country’s engagement with European research initiatives, reducing access to significant funding programmes like Horizon Europe and complicating partnerships with EU institutions. At the national level, universities face rising operational expenses and diminishing real-term government support, while tuition fees remain a source of debate. In England, domestic student fees are capped at £9,250 per year, but significantly higher costs for international students have led to financial disparities across the sector.
UK universities are grappling with deep-rooted structural challenges that go beyond financial concerns. Frequent staff strikes over pay, pensions, and job security highlight growing dissatisfaction with working conditions and fears of increasing instability within academia. At the same time, institutions are at the centre of complex debates on freedom of speech, regulatory policies, and the changing role of higher education in a shifting job market. As these pressures mount, questions persist about the sector's long-term viability and whether UK universities can uphold their global standing in research, innovation, and academic excellence.
On the other hand, Portugal has expanded its higher education sector considerably in recent decades. University enrolment has more than doubled since the 1990s, and institutions such as the University of Porto and the University of Lisbon play a crucial role in European research networks. However, investment in higher education and R&D remains below the European average. While public university tuition fees are relatively low, around €697 per year, limited funding constrains research opportunities and institutional development. Demographic shifts also present challenges, with a declining student population raising concerns about long-term sustainability.
A crucial yet often overlooked part of Europe’s higher education landscape is the role of universities in the EU’s outermost regions. Institutions in territories such as Madeira, the Azores, the Canary Islands, and French overseas areas face unique challenges due to their geographical isolation, smaller student populations, and economic constraints. Despite these difficulties, universities in these regions serve as vital hubs for research, particularly in fields such as marine sciences, climate studies, and sustainable development areas where their geographic positioning offers distinct advantages.
Access to funding, mobility programmes, and research collaborations remains challenging, as institutions in these regions often struggle to integrate fully into the European Research Area. Strengthening links between universities in the outermost region and other European institutions will be an essential discussion area within THE KENSINGTON GROUP. By addressing the structural difficulties these universities face and exploring ways to enhance their role in international academic networks, the think tank aims to contribute to a more inclusive and integrated European higher education system.
Despite these differences, both systems are navigating the same broader transformations. The rise of digital learning, the need for stronger international partnerships, and the growing demand for universities to play a role in technological and societal innovation. These themes will be central to THE KENSINGTON GROUP’S work.
A growing network of ideas
More than just a collaboration between two institutions, THE KENSINGTON GROUP’S will serve as a welcoming and inclusive forum for students, researchers, and policy thinkers. It will invite other European student unions to join, ensuring a broad and diverse debate on the future of higher education. By bringing together perspectives from across the continent, the group aims to generate ideas that reflect the richness and diversity of Europe’s higher education landscape, making everyone feel part of a larger community.
THE KENSINGTON GROUP will connect theory with practice through workshops, publications, and policy discussions, ensuring its work has a tangible and real impact. By bridging gaps between academic traditions and national policies, the think tank hopes to contribute to a stronger and more resilient European higher education sector, providing reassurance about the effectiveness of its work.
At a time of rapid change, THE KENSINGTON GROUP offers a space for meaningful debate, constructive collaboration, and innovative thinking. It ensures that the future of education, technology, and research is shaped by those who live and study within it.