In this new Policy Note, Dr. Diana Beech, Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) Director of Policy and Advocacy, summarises our 2017/18 work stream with PwC and examines the main strategic challenges facing universities in the current political climate. It identifies a pressing need for universities and colleges to come together to: (1) learn from each other's experiences in the global context; (2) identify common challenges; (3) develop appropriate fixes; and (4) present a collective voice in the sector against current political sentiment. It also reaffirms the imperative for higher education institutions to: (1) ensure they make a real difference on the ground in other parts of the world; (2) ensure challenges specific to different institutions do not get lost in the general policy debate; (3) develop appropriate strategies for success; and (4) get ahead in an environment of increased competition. [This Note was written in conjunction with PwC.]