Universities & Education
Our mission is to provide an outstanding service to leading and ambitious universities and higher education institutions. Built on our deep sector knowledge and experience, we have a track record of innovation, thought leadership, and getting things done.
Our Universities & Higher Education group includes over 150 lawyers based in our offices in the UK, Middle East and Asia Pacific. We draw on the full resources of Pinsent Masons to cover the range of legal disciplines. We advise both UK and international institutions - whether publicly funded or private, charitable or for-profit.
UK universities are at an evolutionary turning point. The era of generous state support is over. As the funding of HE transforms, students and student demand will have a greater influence on the shape of the sector and of individual institutions. The UK government is using policy changes and legislation to create a more favourable environment for private, for-profit and international institutions to set up in competition with existing, state supported and charitable universities.
UK universities are strongly autonomous institutions with the ability to develop their own institutional and collective strategies in response to this changing environment. Strategic thinkers will see opportunities to make significant operational reforms which will stand them in good stead for the challenges of the future.
At the same time, there is increasing interest by reputable international institutions in entering the UK market. We have helped two of them to do so, and to establish themselves as charities. We also advise UK institutions on HE collaborations and joint ventures with partners worldwide.
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Our latest work
Our advisers act on domestic and international projects of all shapes and sizes, working with many of the leading names in the market. Browse our experience below, or use the filters to look-up recent work in particular geographies and industry sectors.
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With over 490 partners and 3000 people around the world, we are well-placed to support you across a full range of legal and advisory services.
Latest press releases
Show me all press releasesPinsent Masons has advised Tokai Carbon on the sale of its German subsidiary TOKAI ERFTCARBON GmbH
Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has advised Tokai Carbon Co., Ltd. (“Tokai Carbon”) on the sale of its German subsidiary TOKAI ERFTCARBON GmbH (“TEG”), to Lenbach Equity Opportunities III. GmbH & Co. KG, which is exclusively advised by DUBAG Investment Advisory GmbH (“DUBAG”).
Pinsent Masons advises on Shackleton exit
Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has advised the shareholders of independent financial advisory and wealth management firm Shackleton, including the private equity buy-and-build specialist Sovereign Capital Partners, on the exit to Lee Equity Partners.
Pinsent Masons named by The Times as a Top 50 Employer for Gender Equality
Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has been announced by Business in the Community as one of The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality in 2025. This year’s list marks the sixth time that the firm has been recognised for its commitment to embedding gender equality into all levels of the organisation.