The Association of University Administrators  is the professional body for higher education administrators and managers in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. It is an open and accessible body.

AUA is committed to:

• the promotion of excellence in higher education management through a professional development scheme, an annual conference, specific training events and publications;
• the advancement of a code of professional standards through a framework of values and principles which members are expected to follow;
• the provision of information networks through newsletters, electronic media and personal networking;
• the development of international links with appropriate organisations and with individuals;
• the enhancement of the profile of the profession nationally and internationally.

Laura Thomson and Steven Wallace are the joint Branch Coordinators for the University of London branch.  Please contact Laura  about membership. 

Benefits of joining AUA 

Training and Development Programmes

A wide range of training events are held throughout the UK, including seminars, workshops and conferences . For details of these events see http://www.aua.ac.uk/events .
AUA's programme of events is endorsed by the Leadership Foundation .

The AUA Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Practice

The Postgraduate Certificate  in professional practice is a portfolio-based scheme validated at 'M' level by the Open University.  All participants complete a one day training event and work with an AUA assigned and trained mentor, who acts as a 'critical friend' providing guidance and support. The full registration period for the programme is three years but it is anticipated that many participants will complete the programme in eighteen months.

Mentoring participants undergoing the Certificate is a great opportunity for people with established careers in HE to take on a valuable and rewarding role in developing other HE professionals. 

Mentors are provided with initial training and subsequent development days free of charge, and can also take advantage of one year’s free membership of AUA. 

Mentor information 

Publications and information services

Quarterly journal - the AUA journal perspectives: policy and practice in higher education, is the Association’s international refereed journal which acts as a forum for innovative ideas and research.
Good practice guides - offer expert practical advice to help improve your performance. Members receive a free copy of each new title upon publication.
Quarterly newsletter - newslink keeps members up-to-date with news of professional development opportunities, forthcoming events and activities and news of colleagues.
AUA online services - two electronic bulletins, a weekly digest of HE news and a fortnightly professional development bulletin, on the aua-news jiscmail list.

Another jiscmail list, aua-forum, has been set up to give members the opportunity to share news, information and good practice with fellow administrators. This list is also used to provide commentaries on consultative documents and request your views for AUA’s official submissions.