Jisc warns legacy IT is costing UK universities billions
UK universities are facing a growing threat from “technical legacy”, with outdated and fragmented systems undermining resilience, innovation and long-term sustainability, according to a new sector briefing from Jisc.
The report highlights how the accumulation of disconnected and highly customised legacy systems is now a critical, sector-wide issue.
It warns that these systems are slowing research productivity, weakening student experience, increasing security risks and limiting institutions’ ability to adopt emerging technologies such as AI. Jisc estimates that technical legacy could be costing universities between £2bn and £4.7bn annually through duplicated systems, maintenance of outdated technologies and lost staff productivity.
However, the organisation stresses that the financial burden is only part of the problem, with the larger risk being missed opportunities for innovation and global competitiveness.
The challenge comes at a time when universities are expected to support major national initiatives, including the Science and Technology Framework, the UK Compute Roadmap and the UK AI Opportunities Action Plan. These programmes depend on stable, modern and interoperable digital infrastructure, which many institutions currently lack.
Jisc is calling for coordinated action across the sector. The briefing outlines priorities for universities, sector bodies and policymakers, including recognising technical legacy as a strategic issue, developing long-term digital strategies, improving oversight of research infrastructure and enabling shared services and collaborative solutions.
Commenting in the briefing paper’s foreword, Professor Sir Anthony Finkelstein, President, City St George’s, University of London, remarks: “Technical legacy is the result of accumulated decisions, it is not inevitable, and it can be addressed through focussed and purposeful action. Jisc has long played an important and distinctive role in enabling collective progress in UK higher education’s digital infrastructure. This report continues that tradition by setting out both the problem and the opportunities f or coordinated action .”
“Universities are working hard to innovate but are often held back by the significant barrier created by technical legacy ” adds Dr Victoria Moody, Director of higher education and research, Jisc. “Addressing this challenge is essential for resilience, security, and competitiveness. Through this briefing, Jisc is committed to helping universities shift to coordinated, sustainable solutions that can help unlock real transformation.”
Jisc will now convene roundtables with universities, government departments, funders and sector bodies to develop practical, sector-wide recommendations aligned with national digital priorities.