HEFCE News : 1998
23 December
Research Assessment Exercise 2001 panel chairs announced
16 December
Study highlights benefits of environmental reviews for universities and colleges
A report published today shows that universities and colleges can reduce waste and save money by conducting environmental reviews. The ‘Environmental Report’ is based on pilot reviews at six higher education institutions (more...)
15 December
HEFCE cumulative investment under JREI reaches £140 million
The Council has contributed £21 million to fund nearly £45 million of state-of-the-art research equipment under the round of the Joint Research Equipment Initiative (JREI) (more...)
15 December
Year 2000 date change problem
The HEFCE has set up a Year 2000 date change problem section on this web site. It provides an update on progress by the Council and the HE sector, and links for further guidance.
15 December
Interdisciplinary Research Briefing
The initial results and conclusions from the Funding Bodies’ (HEFCE, SHEFC, HEFCW and DENI) survey of interdisciplinary research.
9 December
Study shows strong growth in links between higher education and industry
A report issued today reveals continuing strong growth recently in the scale, number and variety of joint activities between industry and higher education in the UK. Universities and colleges are working with industry to conduct research, to exploit the results of that research, and to provide consultancy, education and training. (more...)
8 December
HEFCE welcomes renewed expansion of higher education
The Council has warmly welcomed the renewed expansion of higher education and support for capital improvements, detailed in the letter from the Secretary of State for Education and Employment announcing funding for higher education in England for 1999-2000 and beyond.(more ...)
20 November
Invitation to tender for second stage of UK Higher Education Mall
A new internet site for UK higher education is being planned for the millennium. Based on the concept of a virtual shopping mall, the site will provide a worldwide showcase for the diversity and quality of UK higher education. (more ...)
20 November
Invitation to tender for a contract to investigate ways of improving the public information on the quality and standards of higher education courses
(more ...)
18 November
HEFCE proposes more flexible approach to funding HE in further education colleges
A consultation document issued today by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) proposes new flexible arrangements for funding higher education courses in further education colleges (FECs).(more ...)
13 November
Study of the use of HE libraries by external researchers : Research Specification
The UK higher education (HE) funding bodies wish to commission a study of the use made of HE libraries by external researchers. (more ...)
12 November
HEFCE announces action plan for Thames Valley University
The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) today announced the action which is to be taken to resolve the difficulties at Thames Valley University (TVU).(more ...)
21 October
HEIFES 98 FAQs
Answers to HEIFES 98 frequently asked questions now available. (more ...)
21 October
HESES 98 FAQs
Answers to HESES 98 frequently asked questions now available. (more ...)
19 October
HEFCE provides information on students
Universities and colleges can now find out more about the kind of students they are attracting, through data from the HEFCE. (more ...)
6 October
HEFCE and British Council support IT link between China and the UK
On 7 October a direct electronic link will be established between the UK Joint Academic Network (JANET) and the Chinese Education and Research Network (CERNET) as part of a joint five-year higher education project. (more ...)
5 October
Joint Funding Councils’ response to QAA proposals for new quality assurance framework
The views of the three Funding Councils, HEFCE, SHEFC and HEFCW, on the latest QAA proposals for a new quality assurance framework in HE. (more ...)
10 September
Communications and information technology in learning and teaching - Study specification
Specification for a joint HEFCE, HEFCW, SHEFC, DENI, JISC, DfEE, FEFC, CVCP and SCOP study to audit the range of existing activity in the use of communications and information technology (C&IT) in learning and teaching in both higher and further education. (more ...)
4 September
One-day regional VfM workshops - Building Repairs and Maintenance
How to improve service delivery and achieve value for money (more ...)
18 August
HEFCE plans to promote high quality and widen participation in higher education
The Higher Education Funding Council for England is proposing a two-pronged approach to promote high quality teaching and learning and widen participation in higher education from 1999-2000. (more ...)
10 August
Updated information on the Refurbishing Research Laboratories Initiative
Following the Government's recent announcement of extra funding for research as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review, the HEFCE and DENI have decided to delay the launch of the next round of the Laboratory Refurbishment Initiative. This will provide time for ongoing discussions with the Office of Science and Technology to produce a co-ordinated approach to the allocation process; as additional infrastructure funding was provided to both arms of the dual-support system. (more ...)
29 July
Job Vacancy : Regional Consultants
We are looking to appoint up to three experienced people to take responsibility for: managing the Council's relationship with universities and colleges, developing relationships with regional bodies, and contributing to the development of the Council's national policies.
28 July
Data used in research allocations made available for downloading
Data used in Quality-Related Research (QR) funding for 1997-98 and 1998-99 and Data used in Generic Research (GR) funding has been made available. (more ...)
28 July
Job Vacancy : Manager for the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise
The four funding bodies for UK higher education wish to appoint a manager for the next Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) in 2001. The RAE Manager will develop and implement a framework of rules, systems and procedures to ensure that the exercise runs smoothly, to deliver quality ratings of research for all eligible UK higher education institutions.
21 July
Research Assessment Exercise in 2001: key decisions and issues for further consultation
Paper announces key decisions about the next Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) and identifies issues for further consultation.
21 July
Research Assessment Exercise in 2001: bodies to nominate panel members
The UK higher education funding bodies will conduct a Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) in 2001. Paper invites comments on the bodies which should be invited to nominate members of the assessment panels.
21 July
Invitation to tender : The impact of a HE qualification on career progression in the hospitality industry
The joint industry-higher education Review of hospitality management (BHA, CHME, HCIMA & HEFCE, April) identified the need for further research into the career routes of managers in the hospitality industry. It proposed the joint sponsorship of a prototype for tracking back the careers of managers in the industry, to identify the influence of qualifications on their progression. (more...)
21 July
Funding bodies announce improvements to Research Assessment Exercise for 2001
In a document published today, the UK higher education funding bodies announce decisions that will make the next Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) in 2001 more effective, more transparent, and more useful to universities and colleges. (more...)
17 July
Arts and Humanities Research Board : Research Grants and Awards
The Arts and Humanities Research Board (AHRB) has been newly established by the Higher Education Funding Council for England, the British Academy, and the Department for Education in Northern Ireland, and will formally begin operations on 1 October. The Board has assumed responsibility for funding advanced research and postgraduate awards in the arts and humanities. (more...)
16 July
HEFCE welcomes additional funding for widening opportunities for students and research
Mr Brian Fender, Chief Executive of the HEFCE, said that the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review would allow universities and colleges in England to build on this year's improved funding base, and ensure that higher education remained internationally competitive over the next three years. (more...)
16 July
Funding announcement from DfEE to HEFCE
The funding package for 1999-00 will provide for an extra £280m for universities, colleges and students, taking account of grants from the Higher Education Funding Council and the Teacher Training Agency, and of both private and public contributions to fees for full-time higher education. This means that the efficiency saving in 1999-00 will be no more than 1%. (more...)
16 July
UK higher education virtual shopping mall to be developed
Higher education funding and representative bodies are working in partnership to set up a virtual shopping mall which will provide information to a wide range of users worldwide about the rich diversity of higher education in the United Kingdom. Representatives from 25 organisations with an interest in higher education agreed at a meeting earlier this month that a steering group should be set up to develop the project. (more...)
8 July
Arts and Humanities Research Board established
Researchers in the arts and humanities in England and Northern Ireland are to have access to substantially increased funding through a research board which will allocate research grants and postgraduate awards. (more...)
7 July
Teaching funding for-99: template containing calculations.
A Template in Microsoft Excel format which contains the calculations for teaching funding for-99 is available for download.
1 June
Research Assessment Exercise Confirmed For 2001
The exercise will be broadly similar to the 1996 RAE2: it will cover the whole of the United Kingdom; be based on peer review; and will produce quality ratings which will be used to inform research funding decisions from 2002-03 onwards. (more...)
27 May
HEFCE funds leading edge research infrastructure
The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has contributed more than £55 million to 120 projects in 48 higher education institutions (HEIs) to fund the refurbishment of research laboratories. (more...)
15 May
New Research Programme will Promote Effective Teaching and Learning
A major new research programme is being launched to deepen understanding of the factors which underpin and create effective teaching and learning at all levels from pre-school to higher education and life-long learning. (more...)
5 May
JCPSG : Integrating financial and academic decision-making Strategy for costing and pricing
The funding councils and the sector's representative bodies have developed a joint strategy to support universities and colleges in adopting good practice in costing and pricing. (more...)
22 April
Arts and Humanities Research Board to be set up
An interim Arts and Humanities Research Board (AHRB) is to be established pending a decision by Government on whether to set up an Arts and Humanities Research Council. (more...)
21 April
New strategy group to set standards for education and training in hospitality management
The creation of a new group to set standards for hospitality managers and safeguard the practical element in higher education courses is recommended in a report published today. (more...)
5 March
HEFCE announces £3.87 billion for teaching and research in 1998-99
The Higher Education Funding Council for England announced today (5 March) the distribution of £3,867 million for the academic year 1998-99 to 135 higher education institutions (HEIs) and 72 further education colleges providing higher education courses. (more...)
13 January
HEFCE funds leading edge research equipment in 27 universities and colleges
The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has contributed more than £23 million to a joint scheme to fund state-of-the-art research equipment for 68 projects in 27 universities and colleges in England. (more...)
5 January
The Wellcome Trust, Boost for science infrastructure
The Wellcome Trust has set up a new panel which will channel £15 million a year into supporting the scientific infrastructure in universities and research institutes in the UK and Ireland. (more...)