At XMA, we are passionate about helping schools, colleges, and universities across the UK create safer, more efficient digital environments for their students and staff. In partnership with Microsoft, we’re excited to offer Microsoft 365 Education E5 — the ultimate solution for secure, compliant, and future-ready education.
With the increasing reliance on digital learning and device management, educational institutions face mounting challenges around security, compliance, and cost control. Microsoft 365 Education E5 provides an all-in-one platform that addresses these needs, offering advanced management, security, privacy, and compliance tools alongside innovative teaching and learning enhancements such as Learning Accelerators, Education Insights, and Unified Communications.
Thanks to Microsoft’s Student Use Benefit, educational institutions only need to license their faculty and staff for E5 — allowing students to access a rich set of features at no extra cost.
Why upgrade to Microsoft 365 Education E5?
In a rapidly changing threat landscape, security is critical. Microsoft commissioned Forrester Consulting to conduct Total Economic Impact™ (TEI) studies for both schools (K-12) and higher education institutions. The results? Institutions upgrading to Microsoft 365 Education E5 experienced significant financial and operational benefits, including:
Enhanced security posture: Institutions saw a 15% reduction in major security breaches and a 29% lower cost to remediate incidents.
Simplified vendor management: By consolidating multiple security solutions into one Microsoft platform, schools reduced licensing costs by up to 30%.
Reduced staffing pressures: Improved security and automation meant schools avoided the need to significantly expand their IT security teams — crucial at a time when recruiting skilled professionals is increasingly difficult.
Time savings for staff: Enhanced security tools saved users up to 15 minutes per week — contributing to significant productivity gains over time..
In financial terms, the TEI studies found:
Primary and secondary schools (K-12 equivalent) experienced an ROI of 118% over three years, with benefits valued at over $4.22 million.
Higher education institutions saw an even greater ROI of 128%, with benefits exceeding $7.28 million.
New Flexible and Cost-Effective Subscription Options
Starting June 1, 2025, Microsoft will launch three-year subscription terms for Microsoft 365 E5 (and E3) in CSP, including options with or without Teams, and for Teams Enterprise licenses. This provides enhanced deal-making capabilities and more consistent purchasing options.
These new options offer three-year upfront or triennial/annual billing. Contact XMA to discuss how these new terms can benefit your institution’s long-term IT strategy and budget planning.
Beyond the Numbers: Empowering Future-Ready Learning
Microsoft 365 Education E5 is more than just a security upgrade. Institutions gain access to powerful tools that enhance communication, collaboration, and learning outcomes:
Microsoft Teams Phone enables seamless, secure communication.
Power BI empowers data-driven insights for improved decision-making.
Built-in Learning Accelerators and Education Insights support teaching innovation and student success.
Additionally, E5 helps institutions meet stringent cyber insurance requirements, manage policy compliance more easily, and control rising insurance premiums.
By providing a unified, secure, and comprehensive platform, Microsoft 365 Education E5 enables educators to focus on what matters most — delivering outstanding learning experiences in a safe and supportive environment.
Why Partner with XMA?
At XMA, we understand the unique challenges faced by UK schools, colleges, and universities. Our education specialists work closely with institutions to:
Plan and manage the transition to Microsoft 365 Education E5
Optimise licensing models to maximise the student use benefit (like the upcoming three-year subscription term)
Support IT teams with deployment, training, and ongoing management
Enhance security strategies in line with DfE digital and technology standards
Together with Microsoft, we’re committed to helping UK education institutions build a resilient, future-ready digital infrastructure — at a lower cost and with greater peace of mind.
Ready to upgrade?
Contact XMA today to learn how we can help you unlock the full potential of Microsoft 365 Education E5 for your school, college, or university.
1 “The Total Economic Impact™ Of Microsoft 365 Education A5 Security For K-12 Schools,” a commissioned study conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of Microsoft. Results are based on the aggregated experiences of the interviewees and survey respondents and combined the results into a single composite organization that is a K-12 (primary and secondary education) school system with 60,000 students and 10,000 employees.
2 “The Total Economic Impact™ Of Microsoft 365 Education A5 Security For Higher Education,” a commissioned study conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of Microsoft. Results are based on the aggregated experiences of the interviewees and survey respondents and combined the results into a single composite organization that is a higher ed organization with a teaching hospital, 50,000 students, and 15,000 employees
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