Now approaching its 12th season

The universities getting ahead are not relying on the same conversations and recycled thinking. They are looking wider. Learning faster. Making better decisions.

Inspired creative thinking is the currency now.

Future Index exists to keep that inspiration flowing.

Each year we curate and interpret 400 of the most relevant examples from universities globally and from leading brands outside the sector.

Every example is researched and written by us, interpreted specifically for Higher Education, and organised so your team can scan quickly for ideas or dive deeper into the full stories.

The Annual Programme has helped shape some of the strongest campaigns, strategies and creative ideas in the sector over the last decade.

“Future Index provide us with cost effective insight into the best engagement in our sector, and also get us thinking about the art of the possible.”
— Paul Govey, Head of Student Marketing, University of Manchester

The 2026-27 Annual Programme opens in October.

Here’s three inspiration-infused levels to engage.

ESSENTIAL

A regular refill of the very best inspiration

Essential is the must-have and the foundation.

Across the year you receive six Spark Reports, five Spark Webinars, four Special Topic sessions and the Summer Summit edition.

The Spark Reports alone deliver 300 curated global examples from universities and leading brands. The Special sessions and Summit take that total to 400 curated benchmarks, case studies and ideas across the year.

You also receive unlimited live webinar access for your whole team and unlimited internal access to recordings.

Insight doesn’t sit with one or two people. It can be accessed and circulated across the whole team.

Essential ensures your thinking stays fresh throughout the year.

Investment - £2,995 + VAT

Enquire Now

EXTRA

Inspiration plus focused acceleration

Extra includes everything in Essential.

In addition, you receive one tailored Future Index session, delivered on campus or online and focused on your priority challenge. This might be student recruitment, international growth, postgraduate positioning, research promotion, or another strategic area.

We bring the most relevant global benchmarks to the room. We structure the discussion. We absorb your team’s thinking and quickly return with clear recommendations and ideas you can move forward with.

Extra helps you get to the answer faster.

Investment - £4,995 + VAT

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PRO

Deeper involvement. Limited places

Pro includes everything in Essential.

You also receive dedicated Future Index time across the year, used flexibly to support proposition development, strategic shaping, stakeholder alignment or other live institutional priorities. The scope is agreed directly with you and shaped around what matters most.

Pro institutions receive unlimited live webinar access and an invitation to The Provocation, our private residential gathering in Manchester for Chief Marketing Officers or equivalent.

Pro is capped to ensure meaningful access to Jim Tudor and the Future Index team.

Contact us for availability and investment details.

Enquire Now

Why Institutions Join

Better work comes from better inputs.

From wider perspective, global awareness, and structured external challenge.

Future Index injects that into your team, consistently across the year.

“The programme brings together the best of Higher Education and out-of-sector inspiration, helping us keep pace with emerging trends and spark fresh thinking in our campaign planning. It’s a go-to tool for energising strategy and creativity across the team.”
— Charlotte Hopes, Head of Marketing, UWE Bristol

Everything is designed to keep your thinking fresh, your team sharper and your work competitive.

To explore the 2026-27 Annual Programme, contact us to request the full prospectus or arrange a conversation.

Inside a Spark Report

Here’s a sample look at how we organise and present inspiration - researched, interpreted, linked, and written specifically for Higher Education teams.

  • "Future Index is the source of so much insight and inspiration. With a small team, it’s hard to stay on top of everything - but they hand it to us on a creative platter. Their consultancy days have been invaluable, helping us overhaul our brand strategy and campaigns. We’ve seen real impact, with stronger identity and great feedback across the institution. I’m not sure what we’d do without them now."

    – Beth Hayes, Director of Marketing and Communications, St Mary’s University

  • “We truly value our partnership working with Future Index. They provide great insight and inspiration for projects and have helped us to map out a valuable approach to our student value proposition.”

    – Laura-Jane Gould, Director of Marketing, Manchester Metropolitan University

  • "Future Index brings together global insight and creative foresight that helps the University of Glasgow to innovate and deliver sector-leading campaigns and collateral. We are proud to be founding members of Future Index and look forward to our ongoing partnership."

    – Rachel Sandison OBE, Deputy VC, External Engagement, University of Glasgow

Join The Programme

Share your contact details and package of interest - we’ll get back to you.

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