Every HE professional knows their patch. Far fewer can hold the whole picture – funding, teaching, research, students, data, governance, culture, international, strategy – and see how one part pulls on another.
That’s the gap Making sense of higher education is built to close.
Ten live online modules, one hour each, running from October 2026 to April 2027. Delivered by Team Wonkhe with special guests. Designed for anyone who needs to think, work and lead across the whole sector – not just their bit of it.
What’s included
- Ten live online modules, one hour each, October 2026 – April 2027
- Recording, slides and recommended reading for every session
- Pre- and post-event engagement with your cohort
- Live event chat for discussion before, during and after each module
- Delivered by Team Wonkhe with special guests across the series
- Plus a free introductory session on Wed 16 September 2026
It’s built for…
- People new to HE who need a structured induction that actually covers the ground
- Governors and board members who need sector fluency fast
- Mid-career professionals in strategy, governance, student services, comms, policy and operations
- Academic leaders who want to contribute more confidently beyond their departmental area
The ten modules at a glance
Running every three weeks, from October 2026 to April 2027, with a free taster session you can sign up for.
The programme covers:
Public value · Funding and finance · Teaching and learning · Student experience and outcomes · Research · Internationalisation · Strategy and transformation · Data · People and culture · Leadership and governance
See full module descriptions, dates and presenters →
Why sign up?
Higher education is a system of moving parts. Solving complex problems means seeing the whole board, not just your square of it. Leading change means understanding what you’re changing, and why. Collaborating effectively means sharing a language with colleagues across different functions.
Making Sense builds that shared understanding – delivered from a neutral platform, independent of any single institution, by a team with deep knowledge and strong relationships across the sector.
For people new to HE, including those joining a board of governors, it’s a structured induction into the systems, cultures and practices that make the sector so complex and compelling – and occasionally frustrating. For experienced practitioners, it’s the chance to zoom out, connect the dots, and contribute more strategically beyond your functional area.
Frequently asked questions
Can I book individual modules?
No. The programme is designed as a cohort series and tickets cover all ten modules plus the free introductory session. The value is in the cumulative picture, not any single module.
What if I miss a live session?
Every session is recorded. Registrants receive the recording, slides and recommended reading whether or not they attended live.
Is there a free session I can attend before deciding?
Making sense of Making Sense runs on Wednesday 16 September 2026 at 12 midday. It’s free and open to anyone thinking about booking. Sign up here.
How does the group discount work?
For five or more bookings from the same organisation, email events@wonkhe.com for the group rate or talk to us if you would like a bespoke quote for larger groups.
Are sponsorship or partnership options available?
Yes – a limited number of sponsorship and partnership options are available. Get in touch if you’d like to find out more.
Is this suitable for governors and board members?
Yes – particularly module 10 (Leadership and governance) and module 1 (Public value), though the full programme is designed to give governors rapid cross-sector fluency.
