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The Evolving Role of Facilities Management in Higher Education
Written by: Parcel Pending
4 Min Read
Published: June 15, 2026
Facilities Management (FM) in UK higher education has evolved significantly in recent years. Once focused primarily on maintenance and operations, FM teams are now central to improving student experience, driving sustainability, and enabling smart campus innovation.
As universities across the UK compete to attract and retain students, while meeting net zero targets and adapting to hybrid learning, Facilities Management has become a strategic function.
In this guide, we explore the key trends shaping FM in higher education and how smart solutions, such as parcel lockers, are helping institutions stay ahead.
Creating Safe, Student-Centred Campus Environments
Safety remains a top priority for UK universities, but expectations have shifted.
Today’s students expect campuses that support both physical security and mental well-being. Facilities Management teams are responsible for:
- CCTV and intelligent surveillance systems
- Access control and secure entry points
- Wellbeing-focused spaces for study, rest and social interaction
Many universities are now repurposing unused areas into quiet zones, wellbeing hubs, or collaborative spaces, helping to foster a stronger sense of community.
Accessibility and Inclusive Campus Design
Accessibility is no longer just about compliance; it is a key factor in university choice.
With a growing proportion of UK students reporting disabilities, inclusive design is becoming a critical priority for higher education institutions. Disabled students made up 20% of home student enrolments in 2022/23, a proportion that has more than doubled since 2010, and is projected to reach one in four students by 2027 if current trends continue.
This trend is also reflected in incoming cohorts, with 22% of UCAS applicants declaring a disability in 2024, highlighting a continued upward trajectory.
As a result, universities must ensure that every touchpoint on campus is inclusive, including:
- Building access (ramps, lifts, signage)
- Digital systems and interfaces
- Everyday services like parcel collection
Forward-thinking universities are now embedding inclusive design principles across both physical and digital infrastructure.
How Parcel Pending Supports Accessibility
Parcel Pending smart lockers are designed with accessibility in mind:
- Touchscreens positioned at an accessible height
- Lower-level locker allocation for users with access needs
- Simple, intuitive user interface
Sustainability and Net Zero Commitments
Sustainability is a strategic priority across UK higher education, with three-quarters of universities now committed to net zero targets and nearly all publishing carbon reduction strategies.
As the sector works towards the UK’s 2050 net zero target, Facilities Management teams are central to delivering measurable progress on emissions, energy use, and campus operations.
Facilities Management plays a critical role by:
- Reducing energy consumption across buildings
- Managing transport and traffic on campus
- Improving waste and delivery processes
One often overlooked area is campus logistics.
Reducing Delivery Emissions on Campus
With e-commerce continuing to grow, campuses are seeing:
- Increased parcel volumes
- Multiple courier visits daily
- Failed delivery attempts leading to repeat journeys
Smart parcel lockers help solve this by:
- Enabling first-time delivery success
- Consolidating courier drop-offs into one location
- Reducing unnecessary vehicle movements
Managing Hybrid Learning and Flexible Campus Usage
Hybrid learning is now firmly embedded in UK higher education. 66% of students actively want a mix of in-person and online teaching, and institutions have evolved their delivery models accordingly.
What began as a pandemic response has become a permanent shift, with blended learning now viewed as the standard approach across the sector.
- Predict occupancy levels
- Optimise building usage
- Allocate resources efficiently
Smart technologies are helping to bridge this gap, providing real-time data insights into campus usage.
Parcel management is also impacted. Students may not always be on-site when deliveries arrive.
Why 24/7 Parcel Access Matters
Parcel Pending lockers allow students to collect deliveries:
- At any time (24/7, if access allows)
- Without relying on staffed mailrooms
- On their own schedule
Building a Smart Campus with Data and Automation
The smart campus is no longer a future concept; advancements and availability in technology mean it’s happening now.
UK universities are increasingly investing in smart campus technologies, including IoT-enabled systems, data analytics platforms and automated infrastructure, as part of wider digital transformation strategies.
These systems connect buildings, sensors and operational data to provide real-time insight into how campus spaces are used, enabling institutions to optimise energy, improve space utilisation and enhance the student experience.
For Facilities Management teams, this shift is transformational. With access to live data and predictive analytics, they can move from reactive, issue-led maintenance to proactive, data-driven decision-making, identifying problems before they occur and automating routine processes across the estate.
Smart Parcel Management in Action
Parcel Pending lockers provide:
- Real-time tracking and reporting
- Automated notifications to students
- Reduced workload for staff
- Increased operational efficiency
Instead of managing growing parcel volumes manually, universities can automate the entire process.
Why Parcel Pending by Quadient is Trusted by UK Universities
Parcel Pending by Quadient is a leading provider of smart parcel locker solutions for higher education.
Our lockers help universities:
- Improve student satisfaction
- Reduce operational strain
- Enhance security
- Support sustainability targets
With scalable, accessible, and data-driven solutions, Parcel Pending is helping institutions across the UK create smarter campuses.
Ready to modernise your campus infrastructure?
Speak to our team or request a free consultation to see how Parcel Pending smart lockers can support your university.
