The University of Leicester’s website is one of our most powerful tools for communicating who we are. It showcases our world-changing research, attracts future students, supports our staff community and shapes perceptions of the University and its place in the world – among other things.
As our audiences’ expectations for seamless digital experiences continue to rise, we are taking this opportunity to redesign the foundations of our online presence to ensure it remains effective, sustainable and future‑ready. The University Content Management (UCM) programme is not simply a technical upgrade; it is a comprehensive transformation of our digital content ecosystem.
Why this matters
The University is taking this opportunity to strengthen its digital foundations and build a more cohesive approach to managing digital content – starting with le.ac.uk. By aligning our platforms, processes and ways of working, we will support clearer, more consistent communication across the institution and create a digital environment that more effectively reflects our values and ambitions.
This work will enable teams to collaborate more effectively, streamline how content is planned and governed, and ensure our audiences experience more connected and engaging user journeys. These strategic enhancements – and the opportunities they unlock – sit at the heart of the business case.
UCM addresses the limitations and risks of our current digital infrastructure and ensures the University can continue to operate securely and efficiently. By moving to a more modern, flexible and sustainable content management approach, we will future‑proof our digital ecosystem, strengthen governance, and create the foundations needed to deliver a high‑quality, user‑centred web experience.
What UCM will deliver
The programme brings together several interconnected themes:
Technology: We are transitioning towards a more flexible, headless, cloud‑based content management approach that will support stability, scalability and long‑term sustainability. This ensures our digital platforms remain secure and agile as user expectations evolve.
Skills and capability: Subject matter experts across the University who create and manage content will benefit from improved tools and targeted support to help them feel confident and empowered to deliver higher-performing and engaging content.
Governance: We will establish clear, consistent and University‑wide standards for how digital content is planned, approved and maintained. This strengthened governance model will ensure content remains accurate and accountable, reducing duplication and enabling teams to manage information with greater confidence and clarity.
Content and user experience: A simplified governance model and refreshed content strategy will help ensure information is up-to-date, purposeful and user‑centred – benefitting everyone who relies on our digital channels. The programme is driven by audience needs – making it easier for people to find what they want and engage meaningfully with the University.
Our strands and principles
Every aspect of UCM is shaped by a clear set of delivery strands and principles:
| Strand | Description |
| End users | Enhance experience for all end users |
| Our people | Empower colleagues with digital capability |
| Governance | Clear, consistent content governance |
| Platform | Modern, secure and scalable CMS platform |
By grounding decisions in data and prioritising real user needs, we will design experiences that feel intuitive and helpful. Clearer processes, better tools and a more supportive platform will empower our people to create high‑quality content.
By establishing consistent standards, and by using single sources of truth while also reducing duplicated effort, we will enable content that is up‑to‑date and easier to manage. In addition, strong governance will ensure colleagues feel confident and supported in how they contribute to the University’s digital presence.
| Principle | Description |
| Data-led | Decisions based on data, not opinion |
| End user first | Design and build for the end user |
| Future-proof technology | Modern, scalable and secure standards |
| Integrate before creating | Connect systems before custom build |
| Mobile first | Design primarily for mobile devices |
| Single sources of truth | Avoid duplicating existing content |
We will integrate existing systems before creating new ones, thereby reducing unnecessary custom development and improving efficiency. In addition, designing with mobile devices as a primary touchpoint will ensure the platform is responsive to how users actually engage with le.ac.uk. Ultimately, these strands and principles will work together to shape not just what we build but also how we work.
What’s next
In the coming months, we’ll share progress updates, project team insights, user research highlights and ways for colleagues and partners to get involved. This transformation will evolve in stages, and we are excited to bring our community along with us.
We hope you will follow the journey as we help to reshape the University’s digital future.
