Higher Education Funding Council for England
Encyclopedia
The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) is a non-departmental public body
of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
(previously the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
) in the United Kingdom
, which has been responsible for the distribution of funding to Universities and Colleges of Higher and Further Education
in England
since 1992.
, which also created the Further Education Funding Council for England
(FEFC), and replaced in 2001 by the Learning and Skills Council
.
Scotland merged its further and higher education funding bodies in 2005.
(since 1 April 2009), previously Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dundee
and former chief executive of the NHS
. His predecessor, Professor David Eastwood
is now the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham
.
; developing links between higher education institutions and business and the community; and enhancing leadership, governance and management within the sector. It provides both a contribution to core funding, and ring-fenced funding for special initiatives, projects and strategic aims.
, founded in May 2004, is funded by the UK HE Funding Councils (including HEFCE) and institutional subscriptions. It was established as the result of a merger of the Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education
(ILTHE), the Learning and Teaching Support Network
(LTSN), and the TQEF National Co-ordination Team (NCT).
and Northern Ireland
. The initiative is administered by the Higher Education Academy
and has two separate strands providing individual awards - recognising individual excellence in teaching within the Higher Education sector - and awards for large-scale projects typically undertaken by Higher Education institutions over periods of up to three years.
on the campus of the University of the West of England
, next to the exit to the A4174
ring road (for junction 1 of the M32). The nearest railway station is Filton Abbey Wood
, next to the large Defence Equipment and Support building (also a government procurement agency). The building also houses the JISC
, and the Office for Fair Access
.
Non-departmental public body
In the United Kingdom, a non-departmental public body —often referred to as a quango—is a classification applied by the Cabinet Office, Treasury, Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Executive to certain types of public bodies...
of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is a ministerial department of the United Kingdom Government created on 5 June 2009 by the merger of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform .-Ministers:The BIS...
(previously the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills was a UK government department created on 28 June 2007 to take over some of the functions of the Department of Education and Skills and of the Department of Trade and Industry. In June 2009 it was merged into the newly formed Department for...
) in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, which has been responsible for the distribution of funding to Universities and Colleges of Higher and Further Education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
since 1992.
History
It was created by the Further and Higher Education Act 1992Further and Higher Education Act 1992
The Further and Higher Education Acts 1992 made changes in the funding and administration of further education and higher education within the United Kingdom. The most visible result was to allow thirty-five polytechnics to become universities. In addition the Act created bodies to fund higher...
, which also created the Further Education Funding Council for England
Further Education Funding Council for England
The Further Education Funding Council for England was a non-departmental public body of the Department for Education and Skills in the United Kingdom which distributed funding to Further Education and Sixth Form Colleges in England between 1992 and 2001....
(FEFC), and replaced in 2001 by the Learning and Skills Council
Learning and Skills Council
The Learning and Skills Council was a non-departmental public body jointly sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department for Children, Schools and Families in England...
.
Scotland merged its further and higher education funding bodies in 2005.
Chief Executives
- Sir Alan LanglandsAlan LanglandsSir Robert Alan Langlands FRSE FRCP FRCGP FRCS FRCPSG FFPH FIA is notable for his service as chief executive of the National Health Service executive in England and, more recently, as principal and vice chancellor of the University of Dundee .-Early career:Robert Alan Langlands attended...
- 2009- (former V-C of the University of DundeeUniversity of DundeeThe University of Dundee is a university based in the city and Royal burgh of Dundee on eastern coast of the central Lowlands of Scotland and with a small number of institutions elsewhere....
from 2001-9) - Prof David EastwoodDavid EastwoodProfessor David Stephen Eastwood is a British academic who became Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham on 13 April 2009, taking over from Professor Michael Sterling upon the latter's retirement. Prior to this, he was Chief Executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England ,...
- 2006-9 (V-C of the University of BirminghamUniversity of BirminghamThe University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...
since 2009) - Sir Howard NewbyHoward NewbySir Howard Joseph Newby CBE is the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool.-Early life:He grew up in Derbyshire, going to school in Etwall, before attending Atlantic College as a scholarship student.-Career:...
- 2001-6 (V-C of the University of LiverpoolUniversity of LiverpoolThe University of Liverpool is a teaching and research university in the city of Liverpool, England. It is a member of the Russell Group of large research-intensive universities and the N8 Group for research collaboration. Founded in 1881 , it is also one of the six original "red brick" civic...
since 2008) - Sir Brian FenderBrian FenderSir Brian Fender is an English academic executive. He was Chief Executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England from 1995-2001...
- 1995-2001 - Sir Graeme DaviesGraeme DaviesSir Graeme Davies, FREng, FRSNZ, FRSE is a New Zealand engineer, academic and administrator. He is a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool and the University of Glasgow and recently retired as Vice-Chancellor of the University of London in the United Kingdom.Davies graduated with a...
- 1992-5 (V-C of the University of LondonUniversity of London-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
since 2006)
Structure
The organisation is organised into three directorates, each comprising policy and regional teams.Management
The Chief Executive of HEFCE is Sir Alan LanglandsAlan Langlands
Sir Robert Alan Langlands FRSE FRCP FRCGP FRCS FRCPSG FFPH FIA is notable for his service as chief executive of the National Health Service executive in England and, more recently, as principal and vice chancellor of the University of Dundee .-Early career:Robert Alan Langlands attended...
(since 1 April 2009), previously Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dundee
University of Dundee
The University of Dundee is a university based in the city and Royal burgh of Dundee on eastern coast of the central Lowlands of Scotland and with a small number of institutions elsewhere....
and former chief executive of the NHS
National Health Service
The National Health Service is the shared name of three of the four publicly funded healthcare systems in the United Kingdom. They provide a comprehensive range of health services, the vast majority of which are free at the point of use to residents of the United Kingdom...
. His predecessor, Professor David Eastwood
David Eastwood
Professor David Stephen Eastwood is a British academic who became Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham on 13 April 2009, taking over from Professor Michael Sterling upon the latter's retirement. Prior to this, he was Chief Executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England ,...
is now the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...
.
Function
In 2010-11 HEFCE will allocate £7.4 billion in public funds from the UK Government to universities and colleges in England to "support them in delivering high quality education, research and related activities". It only funds the institutions and does not give grants or loans to individual students. It also helps develop and implement higher education policy, based on research and consultation.Industry-academia links
In addition to distributing both teaching and research funding to higher education institutions HEFCE is also involved with: widening participationWidening participation
The widening participation in higher education is a major component of government education policy in the United Kingdom and Europe. It consists of an attempt to increase not only the numbers of young people entering higher education, but also the proportion from so-called "under-represented...
; developing links between higher education institutions and business and the community; and enhancing leadership, governance and management within the sector. It provides both a contribution to core funding, and ring-fenced funding for special initiatives, projects and strategic aims.
Unistats
HEFCE also owns the Unistats website which contains the student satisfaction ratings for different universities and subjects. These satisfaction ratings are compiled from the National Student Survey, and the feedback from students is held within the Unistats website and allows students to compare subjects, universities and UCAS points, see satisfaction ratings from other students and see what the employment prospects are for graduate jobs by subject chosen.Initiatives
HEFCE currently supports five teaching initiatives:- Centres for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL)
- Fund for the Development of Teaching and Learning (FDTL)
- Higher Education AcademyHigher Education AcademyThe Higher Education Academy is an independent organisation in the United Kingdom that supports higher education institutions with strategies for the development of research and evaluation to improve the learning experience for students.-History:...
- National Teaching Fellowship Scheme
- Teaching and Learning Research Programme (TLRP)
- UK Online Learning Task Force (OLTF)
CETL
The Centres for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) initiative has two main aims: to reward excellent teaching practice, and to further invest in that practice so that CETLs funding delivers substantial benefits to students, teachers and institutions. There are currently 74 centres across the UK and the initiative represents HEFCE's largest ever single funding initiative in teaching and learning with the provision of £350 million over a five year period.FDTL
A Fund for the Development of Teaching and Learning (FDTL) was established in 1995 with the intention of stimulating good teaching and learning practice in Higher Education. Assessment for fund eligibility is undertaken by a teaching quality assessment exercise, and over 164 projects have been given an award since 1995.HEA
The Higher Education AcademyHigher Education Academy
The Higher Education Academy is an independent organisation in the United Kingdom that supports higher education institutions with strategies for the development of research and evaluation to improve the learning experience for students.-History:...
, founded in May 2004, is funded by the UK HE Funding Councils (including HEFCE) and institutional subscriptions. It was established as the result of a merger of the Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education
Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education
The Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education was a British organisation aiming to enhance the status of teaching in higher education; maintain and improve the quality of learning and teaching in higher education; and set standards of good professional practice...
(ILTHE), the Learning and Teaching Support Network
Learning and Teaching Support Network
The Learning and Teaching Support Network was an initiative of the United Kingdom higher education bodies to promote high quality learning and teaching in all subject disciplines in higher education...
(LTSN), and the TQEF National Co-ordination Team (NCT).
NTFS
HEFCE also funds a National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS) for those working in EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. The initiative is administered by the Higher Education Academy
Higher Education Academy
The Higher Education Academy is an independent organisation in the United Kingdom that supports higher education institutions with strategies for the development of research and evaluation to improve the learning experience for students.-History:...
and has two separate strands providing individual awards - recognising individual excellence in teaching within the Higher Education sector - and awards for large-scale projects typically undertaken by Higher Education institutions over periods of up to three years.
TLRP
HEFCE supports the Teaching and Learning Research Programme which aims to promote excellent educational research designed to enhance learning.OLTF
The Online Learning Task Force aims to maintain and develop the position of UK higher education (HE) as a world leader in online learning. The task force was set up in summer 2009. It is chaired by Dame Lynne Brindley, Chief Executive of the British Library.Location
HEFCE is based in Northavon House, on the outskirts of north BristolBristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
on the campus of the University of the West of England
University of the West of England
The University of the West of England is a university based in the English city of Bristol. Its main campus is at Frenchay, about five miles north of the city centre...
, next to the exit to the A4174
A4174 road
The A4174 is a major road in England which runs around the northern and eastern edge of Bristol, mainly in South Gloucestershire, and through the southern suburbs of Bristol...
ring road (for junction 1 of the M32). The nearest railway station is Filton Abbey Wood
Filton Abbey Wood railway station
Filton Abbey Wood railway station, was opened on 11 March 1996, replacing the original Filton station which stands to the north of the current site....
, next to the large Defence Equipment and Support building (also a government procurement agency). The building also houses the JISC
Joint Information Systems Committee
JISC is a United Kingdom non-departmental public body whose role is to support post-16 and higher education and research by providing leadership in the use of ICT in learning, teaching, research and administration...
, and the Office for Fair Access
Office for Fair Access
The Office for Fair Access is a non-departmental public body responsible for ensuring that any university or higher education institution in England which plans to charge variable tuition fees starting with the academic year 2006/7 has in place an acceptable plan to promote equitable access among...
.
See also
- Research Councils UKResearch Councils UKResearch Councils UK is a strategic partnership between the seven UK Research Councils. It enables the Councils to work together more effectively to enhance the overall impact and effectiveness of their research, training and innovation activities, contributing to the delivery of the Government's...
- Higher Education Funding Council for WalesHigher Education Funding Council for WalesThe Higher Education Funding Council for Wales is an Assembly Government Sponsored Body, and anintermediary body between the Welsh Assembly Government and the higher education sector in Wales.- HEFCW business :...
- Scottish Funding CouncilScottish Funding CouncilThe Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council, more commonly known as the Scottish Funding Council , is the body in Scotland that distributes funding from the Scottish Government to the country's colleges and universities...
- Higher Education Statistics AgencyHigher Education Statistics AgencyThe Higher Education Statistics Agency is the official agency for the collection, analysis and dissemination of quantitative information about higher education in the United Kingdom....
(based in CheltenhamCheltenhamCheltenham , also known as Cheltenham Spa, is a large spa town and borough in Gloucestershire, on the edge of the Cotswolds in the South-West region of England. It is the home of the flagship race of British steeplechase horse racing, the Gold Cup, the main event of the Cheltenham Festival held...
) - UCASUCASThe Universities and Colleges Admissions Service is the British admission service for students applying to university and college. UCAS is primarily funded by students who pay a fee when they apply and a capitation fee from universities for each student they accept..-Location:UCAS is based near...
- JISC