Medr/2026/19: Targeted Employability Support for HE Students: 2026/27 allocations

Introduction

1. This publication sets out the 2026/27 academic year (AY) allocations for providers in receipt of Targeted Employability Support for Higher Education (HE) Students (TESS).

2026/27 funding and requirements

2. Total investment available to support TESS activity for the period 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2027 is £2m.

3. Investment must be used in accordance with Medr’s current guidance, as set out in Medr/2025/09 TESS: 2025/26 to 2026/27 Delivery Plans and 2025/26 allocations. It must also be used to deliver the priorities and activities outlined within providers’ approved 2025/26 to 2026/27 delivery plans.

4. Providers may propose amendments to their approved delivery plan through the 2025/26 End of Year Report, and are expected to engage with Medr at an early stage to discuss any proposed changes for the 2026/27 academic year.

2026/27 allocations

5. 2026/27 provider allocations are set out in the table below. The allocations have been calculated using the latest verified HESA data for 2024/25 and by applying the funding methodology set out in paragraphs 37-41 of Medr/2025/09 TESS: 2025/26 to 2026/27 Delivery Plans and 2025/26 allocations.

Provider	Total funding (£)
University of South Wales	312,316
Aberystwyth University	166,565
Bangor University	152,212
Cardiff University	330,000
University of Wales Trinity Saint David	137,207
Swansea University	330,000
Cardiff Metropolitan University	253,599
Wrexham University	100,000
The Open University in Wales	178,101
Grŵp Llandrillo Menai	25,000
Grŵp NPTC Group	5,000
Gower College Swansea	5,000
Coleg Cambria	5,000
Total	2,000,000

6. Medr/2026/05 Core higher education teaching funding allocations for Coleg Cambria 2025/26 confirms that Coleg Cambria was eligible for Medr investment for its higher education provision from AY 2025/26, following approval of its 2025/26 to 2026/27 Fee and Access plan. Since then, discussions have taken place with Coleg Cambria on extending TESS investment to support Coleg Cambria HE students funded directly by Medr. As a result, and taking account of Coleg Cambria’s eligible student data, it has been agreed that Coleg Cambria will receive investment from 2026/27 on the same funding principles as Grŵp NPTC and Gower College Swansea. This investment is subject to the submission of a satisfactory delivery plan for 2026/27 and complying with Medr’s ongoing monitoring processes, in line with the arrangements set out in Medr/2025/09 TESS: 2025/26 to 2026/27 Delivery Plans and 2025/26 allocations.

2026/27 monitoring and payment arrangements

7. We will pay 60% of a provider’s allocation to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Grŵp Llandrillo Menai following approval of their 2025/26 End of Year monitoring report and 2026/27 expenditure profile. The remaining 40% of the allocation will be released in April 2027 subject to satisfactory 2026/27 interim monitoring, and on the condition that a provider has committed at least 75% of the initial payment. 

8. The allocations for Grŵp NPTC and Gower College Swansea will be paid in full following approval of their 2025/26 End of Year monitoring report. The allocation for Coleg Cambria will be paid in full in September 2026, subject to approval of a satisfactory 2026/27 delivery plan.

9. Payments are strictly subject to the governing body’s acceptance of, and ongoing compliance with, Medr’s general conditions for the payment of grant funding. These conditions are set out in the 2026/27 Terms and Conditions of Grant: Higher Education Institutions, which will be published on the Medr website in advance of the start of the 2026/27 academic year.

10. An interim monitoring report will be required in February 2027 setting out activity to the end of December 2026, including the number of individuals supported (broken down by students, franchised students and graduates), as well as data on their demographic breakdown. In addition, we will require data on the number of individuals engaged in work related experiences and the number of individuals supported who consider their employability has improved to the point that they are no longer receiving enhanced employability support. Providers are responsible for ensuring that all the information and required data is included in the report, so that there is a robust basis for assessing the impact of the funding and the students’ outcomes.

11. An End of Year Report will be required in September 2027 requesting updated information on activity, data and impact of our investment to 31 July 2027. Providers will be required to confirm 2026/27 actual expenditure. We reserve the right to recover any funding that has not been spent (i.e. paid out) by 31 July 2027. A number of case studies will be required, proportionate to the level of investment. The case studies need to be suitable for publication.

12. We will provide templates for the Interim Monitoring Report, End of Year Report and case studies in separate correspondence.

Engagement with Medr

13. In addition to formal monitoring and reporting requirements, Medr will seek to supplement monitoring returns with ongoing dialogue with providers to support a shared understanding of delivery, progress, and emerging issues. We remain open to constructive and proportionate engagement throughout the academic year, recognising the value of discussion in supporting effective delivery, managing risk, and addressing matters as they arise. This approach is intended to complement, rather than replace, formal monitoring processes and to support continuous improvement and effective use of our investment.

14. Providers wanting to make in-year changes to their 2026/27 delivery plan, or material variations to the approved 2026/27 expenditure profile, are required to engage with Medr in the first instance.

Timeline

15. The timetable for the reports and payments is presented in the table set out below.

Description	Date
2025/26 End of Year Report and Case Study submission deadline (all HE Providers)	18 September 2026
2026/27 allocation: Coleg Cambria	100% payable in September 2026, subject to approval of Delivery Plan
2026/27 allocation: First Instalment	HEIs and Grŵp Llandrillo Menai: 60% payable on approval of 2025/26 end‑of‑year monitoring   Gower College Swansea and Grŵp NPTC: 100% payable on approval of 2025/26 end‑of‑year monitoring
2026/27 Interim Monitoring Report submission deadline (HEIs and Grŵp Llandrillo Menai)	12 February 2027
2026/27 allocation: Final Instalment	HEIs and Grŵp Llandrillo Menai: 40% payable in April 2027, subject to approval of 2026/27 interim monitoring report
End of Year Report submission deadline (all HE Providers)	17 September 2027

Further information

16. Any queries regarding this publication should be directed to Rachel O’Gorman ([email protected]).

Assessing the impact of our policies

17. We carried out an impact assessment to help safeguard against discrimination and promote equality on Medr/2025/09 TESS: 2025/26 to 2026/27 Delivery Plans and 2025/26 allocations, which covered the two-year delivery plan period and 2025/26 allocations for TESS funding. In drafting this publication, we have reviewed this impact assessment and continue to anticipate a positive impact on race, sex, disability, age, religion and belief. We also considered the impact of this policy on the Welsh language, Welsh language provision within the HE sector in Wales, socio-economic characteristics and potential impacts towards the goals set out in the Well-Being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.