Organisational Efficiency Maturity Assessment (OEMA)

Commissioned by Universities UK. Developed with AHUA and SUMS. 

Free to access. Built by the sector, for the sector. Designed to drive action. 

The Organisational Efficiency Maturity Assessment (OEMA) is the UK higher education sector’s first framework for assessing operational efficiency and maturity, endorsed by Universities UK. Developed in partnership with the Association of Heads of University Administration and with inputs from the sector, including from UUK, CUC, BUFDG, HESPA, UHR, Advance HE and the DfE. 

What makes OEMA different?

Universities continue to face growing pressures to operate more efficiently without compromising quality of teaching, research or student experience. The sector needs structured, evidence-based approaches to identify strengths and improvement opportunities. 

Commissioned by Universities UK and co-developed with AHUA, SUMS Consulting, and a reference group of 12 universities, OEMA provides the sector’s first standardised, open access approach to assessing institutional maturity. It combines qualitative and quantitative insights across eight critical themes, giving you a clear baseline – and a roadmap for meaningful improvement. 

Find out more and be among the first to access the tool

Register to our free webinar

With thanks to the AHUA steering group, Chaired by James Rolfe, Chief Operating Officer at Anglia Ruskin University and supported by: Becky Bradshaw (University of Northampton), Katherine Davies (University of the West of England), Kathryn Kendon (York St John University), Rachel Elias-Lee (University of South Wales), Vikki Goddard (University of York), Khadir Meer (The School of Oriental and African Studies), Chris Payne (University of Buckingham), Paula Sanderson (University Secretary at Cardiff University), Rob Sykes (University of Sheffield) and Lorna Walker (University of the Highlands and Islands)

Read more over on our blog

Deadline approaching

AHUA Spring Conference 2026

Deadline for registrations: Wednesday 25th March

Hosted by University of Exeter on 20th-21st April 2026.

Key speakers include:

  • Arif Ahmed, OfS
  • Vivienne Stern, UUK
  • Heidi Fraser-Krauss, Jisc
  • Nigel Cain, IBM
  • Jenny Greenshields, NHS

 

Register here