Institute for Educational & Social Equity

What Institute for Educational & Social Equity does

The Institute for Educational & Social Equity (IESE), trading as Institute for Equity, University Centre (IEUC), is a UK private higher education institution founded in 2020 and headquartered in Huddersfield with a registered office in London. It operates as the UK's first independent tertiary-level organisation dedicated exclusively to equity, diversity and inclusion, holding University Centre status granted by the UK Department for Education in June 2025 and registration on the UK Register of Learning Providers (UKRLP: 10092202).

The Institute delivers its offer through three interconnected pillars — Research, Institutional Support and Capacity Development — packaged into three academic schools (School of Leadership Transformation, School of Applied Learning and Work, School of Policy & Society). The product surface spans the UK's first MBA in EDI, Level 7 Certificate and Diploma programmes, the registered EDI Fellowship credential, Professional Development Certificates (e.g. Inclusive Curriculum Leadership at £2,197.50), short courses, workshops, and a schools subscription offer. Research outputs include the peer-reviewed SAGE journal Equity in Education & Society and the Focus On EDI © publication, and proprietary frameworks such as the Inclusive Curriculum Framework and the ACID Analytical Framework for Allyship underpin the methodology.

Revenue is generated through four streams: academic and professional programme fees, EDI consultancy services (clients include Bank of England, British Council, Church of England, Merseyside Police, Manchester Metropolitan University and Camden Learning), annual and network memberships (£47.50 to £1,000), and events including the annual Equity in Education & Society conference (£209 per registration), Yorkshire Inclusion Luncheon, National Inclusion Awards © and Graduation Ceremony. Distribution combines direct enterprise engagement by an in-house Business Development & Engagement team, self-serve programme enrolment, a Course Delivery Partner channel, and community-led acquisition through EDI Professionals Together and the Yorkshire Equity and Inclusion Network.

Name

Institute for Educational & Social Equity

Legal name

Institute for Equity, University Centre

Website

https://instituteforequity.ac.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Institute for Educational & Social Equity (IEUC) is a UK private higher education institution founded in 2020, holding DfE University Centre status and offering accredited EDI programmes — including the UK's first MBA in EDI, Level 7 qualifications and the EDI Fellowship — alongside research, consultancy and professional networks serving schools, higher education, public sector and businesses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Partnerships for Equity, Inclusion & Gender (EDADALAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Access & Quality (International Development) (BPAGABAE), International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)

Keywords

• Equity diversity inclusion training
• EDI professional development
• Higher education qualifications
• Leadership transformation programmes
• Organisational EDI consultancy

Headquarters

HQ city

Huddersfield

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Academic and Professional Programmes: Revenue from accredited programmes including Level 7 Certificates and Diplomas in EDI and Leadership, the MBA in Leadership for Equity, Inclusion & Organisational Development, EDI Fellowship, Professional Development Certificates (e.g., Inclusive Curriculum Leadership, Inclusive Organisational Leadership, Applied Social Research), and short courses. Programmes are priced at £2,197.50 for Professional Development Certificates, with discounts available for combined pathways. Subscription-based intake with September cohorts.
2. EDI Consultancy Services: Fee-based EDI consultancy engagements for organisations including equity audits, policy review, intervention design, action planning, monitoring frameworks, and accountability partner services. Target clients include the Bank of England, British Council, Church of England, Manchester Metropolitan University, Merseyside Police, and Camden Learning.
3. Annual Membership: Individual annual membership at £47.50/year (plus VAT). Includes 7.5% discounted rate at Equity in Education & Society conferences, newsletter access, online access to the SAGE journal, invitation to annual Fellows' Roundtable, and 5% discount on workshops.
4. Network Memberships: EDI Professionals Together network membership at £380/year for individual EDI professionals. Yorkshire Equity and Inclusion Network membership at £1,000/year for organisations. Both provide community access, peer support sessions, workshops, webinars, and conference discounts.
5. Annual Conference: Revenue from the Equity in Education & Society annual conference at £209 per registration (plus VAT). Held at London Metropolitan University. Also generates sponsorship revenue through tiered packages ranging from £750 (Blue) to £3,550 (Purple), plus VAT.
6. Yorkshire Inclusion Luncheon: Ticketed regional networking event priced at £55 per ticket, or £52.50 each for groups of 10+. Venue: Cedar Court Hotel, Huddersfield. Revenue from individual ticket sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

The Institute for Equity, University Centre delivers research-led equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) education and consultancy. It offers accredited academic programmes (MBA, Level 7 Certificates and Diplomas, Professional Development Certificates, EDI Fellowship), bespoke organisational EDI consultancy (equity audits, strategy development, action planning), and a portfolio of networks, events, and research publications serving schools, universities, public sector bodies, businesses, and EDI professionals across the UK.

Product overview

Institute for Educational & Social Equity operates as a University Centre offering a platform-plus-modules architecture centred on EDI education, research, and consultancy. The core offering consists of three academic schools (School of Leadership Transformation, School of Applied Learning and Work, School of Policy & Society) delivering programmes from short courses and workshops through to professional certificates, Level 7 qualifications, and the UK's first MBA in EDI. The flagship EDI Fellowship© credential anchors the professional qualification suite, complemented by short courses (Anti-racist Pedagogy, EDI Data Analytics) and workshops covering topics from unconscious bias to intercultural communications. Services include EDI Consultancy (Research & Diagnosis, Institutional Support, Capacity Development), Schools Offer subscription packages, EDI Accountability Partners, and Course Delivery Partner programme. Research outputs include the peer-reviewed Equity in Education & Society Journal (SAGE) and Focus On EDI© thought leadership series. Membership networks include EDI Professionals Together and Yorkshire Equity and Inclusion Network. Events include the annual Equity in Education & Society Conference, National Inclusion Awards©, Yorkshire Inclusion Luncheon, and Graduation & Awards Ceremony.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MBA in Leadership for Equity, Inclusion & Organisational Development The UK's first MBA in EDI, combining leadership development with equity and inclusion specialisation for public and private sector leaders, delivered under the School of Leadership Transformation.
• Level 7 Diploma in Leadership for Organisational & Social Transformation Accredited Level 7 diploma programme focusing on EDI leadership, leading diverse teams, and leadership for equity, delivered under the School of Leadership Transformation.
• Level 7 Certificate in Leadership for Organisational & Social Transformation Accredited Level 7 certificate programme with a strong focus on understanding equality legislation, leading diverse teams and workforce, and leadership for equity.
• Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Leadership, Change & Innovation Level 7 diploma programme accredited by NCFE, covering strategic leadership, change, and innovation for senior leaders.
• EDI Fellowship © The flagship professional credential for EDI professionals - a comprehensive, multidimensional and intersectional programme for individuals seeking a recognised qualification in EDI practice.
• Professional Development Certificates (Inclusive Organisational Leadership, Inclusive Curriculum Leadership, Applied Social Research) A suite of four professional development certificates providing introductory knowledge and skills for educational leaders, curriculum leaders, and EDI leads, combining theory, practice, and case study evidence.
• Anti-racist Pedagogy Short Course A short course defining Anti-racist Pedagogy, contrasting it with other pedagogical stances, and introducing key skills and tools for implementation, priced at £476 + VAT.
• EDI Data Analytics Short Course A short course introducing EDI data concepts including why data matters, attitudes to EDI data, ethics, consent and GDPR, risk mitigation and management, and data modelling.
• Workshops Suite (BAME Staff Progression, Tackling Race Inequality, Leading Organisational Change, Let's Talk About Race, Diversifying Curriculum, Unconscious Bias, Cultural Competence, Anti-racist Pedagogy, Intercultural Communications) A suite of 90-minute workshops delivered online or face-to-face covering topics from BAME staff progression and tackling race inequality through to unconscious bias, cultural competence, anti-racist pedagogy, and intercultural communications.
• Schools Offer Subscription Package A dedicated subscription package for UK schools providing workshops, Inclusive Curriculum Leadership, Leadership Development, and Accountability Partner services to support EDI integration across primary and secondary schools.
• EDI Consultancy Services Research-led EDI consultancy spanning equity audits, workforce data analysis, strategy development, action planning, monitoring frameworks, leadership coaching, and tailored workshops for organisations across education, public sector, business, and charity sectors.
• Focus On EDI © Publication An accessible thought leadership publication on broad equity themes within education and society, with contributions by invitation from scholars and practitioners including Institute Fellows and Advocates-in-Residence.
• Equity in Education & Society Journal A peer-reviewed SAGE journal published three times yearly (April, August, November) covering broad equity issues at the intersection of education and society, free to Institute members and online open access for the first two years.
• EDI Professionals Together Network Membership An annual membership professional network for EDI professionals combating burnout, sharing expertise, and strengthening collective impact, providing online community, peer support sessions, workshops, webinars, mentorship, and conference discounts.
• Yorkshire Equity and Inclusion Network (YEIN) A collaborative community for Yorkshire businesses committed to EDI, providing annual membership at £1,000 with in-person and virtual sessions, co-created agendas, peer review support, and annual national conference access.
• Yorkshire Inclusion Luncheon A landmark regional networking event bringing together businesses, community advocates, and individuals for a 4-course meal focused on creating fair, diverse and inclusive spaces across Yorkshire.
• Equity in Education & Society Annual Conference The UK's dedicated equity, diversity and inclusion annual conference held at London Metropolitan University, bringing together professionals, researchers, educators, leaders, and practitioners.
• National Inclusion Awards © An annual awards programme celebrating outstanding contributions to equity, diversity and inclusion across education, leadership, and community.
• EDI Accountability Partners Service A service auditing EDI strategy, monitoring metrics, and reporting progress with objectivity for boards and investors to avoid equity-washing scandals and corporate complacency.
• Course Delivery Partner Programme A programme enabling approved organisations to deliver IEUC qualifications on behalf of the Institute, with quality assurance evaluation, EQA visits, and ongoing monitoring.
• Access and Participation Plans Support Support for Higher Education Institutions to navigate Office for Students (OfS) Access and Participation Plan requirements, including intervention strategy development, implementation, evaluation, and degree awarding gap work.
• Annual Individual Membership of the Institute An annual individual membership at £47.50/year providing discounted conference rates, newsletter, online SAGE journal access, Fellows' Roundtable invitation, and workshop discounts.

Quantifiable outcome

• 46 qualification awardees across two ceremonies in 2025-2026, spanning schools, higher education, and consultancy
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Blackburn Diocesan Board of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 February 2025The Blackburn Diocesan Board of Education jointly sponsored multiple school leaders through IEUC's Certificate in Inclusive Curriculum Leadership programme. Nine awardees were admitted to the programme, sponsored by their host schools and the Blackburn Diocesan Board of Education. This collaboration enabled faith school leaders to develop evidence-led EDI practice within their institutions.
• Jamaica's National Education Inspectorate (NEI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 October 2024The National Education Inspectorate (NEI) is responsible for quality assurance in just over 1,000 public primary and secondary schools in Jamaica. IESE partnered with NEI to support its equity and inspection work, leveraging IEUC's research-led EDI expertise to support quality assurance in Jamaican education. This partnership reflects IEUC's international reach and its role as the UK's specialist EDI institution.
• British CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2023The research consultancy led by Professor Paul Miller and his team provided valuable insights into British Council's current policies and practices, with practical recommendations for addressing under-representation and barriers to progression for colleagues from a minority ethnic background. Fiona Bartels Ellis (Head of EDI) and Mark Stephens CMG (Director Cultural Engagement) provided testimonials. Mark Stephens noted the work has shaped ongoing policy development at the British Council.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Advance HE: Advance HE (formerly the Equality Challenge Unit) is the UK's primary membership and quality body supporting HEI equality, diversity and inclusion across the sector. It is a direct peer because it serves overlapping client bases (UK HEIs, university leaders) with comparable credentials, charters, and consultancy offerings, and competes for the same regulatory-driven EDI spend.
• Inclusive Employers: Inclusive Employers is a UK membership organisation providing D&I training, consultancy, benchmarking, and accreditation to employers. It is a direct peer because of overlapping employer-focused membership model, professional development programmes, and consultancy-led revenue streams targeting the same organisational D&I buyers.
• brap: brap is a UK charity focused on equality, diversity and inclusion in education and public services. It is a direct peer because it combines research-led EDI consultancy, training programmes, and policy advocacy across schools, HEIs, and public-sector clients — closely mirroring the Institute's three-pillar model and target segments.
• The Diversity Trust: The Diversity Trust is a UK-based charity providing D&I training, consultancy and organisational development across education, public sector and third sector clients. It is a direct peer because of the parallel niche focus (specialist D&I practice), consultancy-plus-training model, and client overlap in UK schools and charities.
• European Network Against Racism in Employment (ENEI): ENEI is a UK-based employer network tackling racism and ethnic inequality in the workplace through membership, training and benchmarking. It is a direct peer because of its comparable mission (race-equity focused), employer membership community, and training/credential products targeted at UK EDI professionals and HR teams.

Regional players

• USC Race and Equity Center: The USC Race and Equity Center is a US higher-education equity research and capacity-building centre serving US colleges, universities and K-12 systems. It is a regional peer because of comparable research-led EDI mission, credentials and consultancy offerings, but operates primarily in the US rather than competing in the UK market.

Emerging players

• Stonewall (UK Workplace Programmes): Stonewall runs UK workplace and education programmes (e.g. Diversity Champions, Equality Index) supporting organisations on LGBTQ+ inclusion. It is an emerging player from a partial-overlap perspective — it competes in the workplace D&I membership/marketplace category with the Institute but focuses on a single dimension of inclusion rather than a comprehensive EDI curriculum.

Broad incumbents

• Business in the Community (BITC): BITC is a UK business-led membership organisation promoting responsible business practice, including D&I benchmarking (e.g. the Inclusive Leaders framework). It is a broad incumbent because it covers EDI as part of wider ESG, workplace and community agendas, addressing similar large-employer buyers but with a non-specialist portfolio.
• CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development): CIPD is the UK's professional body for HR and people development, offering D&I-related qualifications, membership, and learning content at much greater scale. It is a broad incumbent because its EDI portfolio overlaps with the Institute's offerings but sits within a much wider HR/L&D curriculum — incumbents in the same category but not specialists.
• KPMG UK People & Change Advisory: KPMG UK's People & Change practice includes dedicated inclusion and DEI advisory services to enterprise and public-sector clients (including several marquee Institute clients). It is a broad incumbent because it bundles EDI into broader transformation mandates with the scale and relationships of a Big Four firm rather than as a specialised offering.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/edeqservices
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@InstituteForEquity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institute-for-educational-social-equity
• Instagraminstagram.com/edeqservices

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Institute for Educational & Social Equity