Minister of State for Universities

Minister of State for Universities
	Royal Arms of Her Majesty's Government
	Incumbent; Michelle Donelan MP; since 13 February 2020
	Department for Education
Style	Minister
Nominator	Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Appointer	The Monarch; on advice of the Prime Minister
Formation	2001 (Second Blair ministry)
First holder	Margaret Hodge MP
Website	https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers/minister-of-state--97

The Minister of State for Universities is a mid-level position in the Department for Education in the British government. It is currently held by Michelle Donelan MP who took office on 13 February 2020.[1][2][3] The minister has oversight over British universities and the Student Loans Company.

Under New Labour, the role was known as Minister of State for Higher Education and Minister of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

Under the Cameron–Clegg coalition and May ministries, the role became known as Minister of State for Universities, Science and Cities and Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation. The role of Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science, Research and Innovation was created out of this office.

At certain times, the Universities Minister worked in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Responsibilities

The minister has the following responsibilities:[4]

Strategy for further education (post-16 education), jointly with the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Apprenticeships and Skills
Universities and higher education reform
Higher education student finance, including the Student Loans Company
Widening participation in higher education
Quality of higher education and the Teaching Excellence Framework
International education strategy, including education exports, international students, and technology in education (Edtech)
Opportunity Areas programme

The position had increased prominence in 2020 and 2021 when the COVID-19 pandemic affected further education and university education.[5]

List of Ministers of State for Universities

Name		Took office	Left office	Political party
Role created out of the Department for Education and Skills
Minister of State for Universities
	Margaret Hodge MP for Barking	11 June 2001	13 June 2003	Labour	Tony Blair (ll)
Minister of State for Higher Education
	Alan Johnson MP for Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle	13 June 2003	8 September 2004	Labour	Tony Blair (ll)
	Kim Howells MP for Pontypridd	10 September 2004	11 May 2005	Labour	Tony Blair (ll)
	Bill Rammell MP for Harlow	11 May 2005	5 October 2008	Labour	Tony Blair (lll) Gordon Brown (l)
Minister of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills
	David Lammy the MP for Tottenham	28 June 2007	11 May 2010	Labour	Gordon Brown (l)
Minister of State for Universities, Science and Cities
	David Willetts MP for Havant	11 May 2010	14 July 2014	Conservative	David Cameron (Coalition)
	Greg Clark MP for Royal Tunbridge Wells	15 July 2014	11 May 2015	Conservative	David Cameron (Coalition)
Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation
	Jo Johnson MP for Orpington	11 May 2015	9 January 2018	Conservative	David Cameron (II) Theresa May (I) + (II)
	Sam Gyimah MP for East Surrey	9 January 2018	30 November 2018	Conservative	Theresa May (II)
	Chris Skidmore[6] MP for Kingswood	5 December 2018	24 July 2019	Conservative	Theresa May (II)
	Jo Johnson MP for Orpington	24 July 2019	5 September 2019	Conservative	Boris Johnson (l)
	Chris Skidmore MP for Kingswood	10 September 2019	13 February 2020	Conservative	Boris Johnson (l) + (ll)
Minister of State for Universities
	Michelle Donelan MP for Chippenham	13 February 2020	Incumbent	Conservative	Boris Johnson (ll)