HEFCE News : 2004
More news and a round up of information issued by the HEFCE is published in Council Briefing and HEFCE Update.
15 December 2004
Student Volunteering Awards ceremony 2004 (HEACF Volunteering Awards web-site) [Adobe PDF 663K]
The awards ceremony celebrated outstanding achievement in student and staff volunteering within the Higher Education Active Community Fund.
14 December 2004
Grant funding and student numbers for the next three years
The Secretary of State for Education and Skills has announced funding and student numbers for higher education for 2005-06 to 2007-08. The information is contained in the annual grant letter to David Young, Chairman of the HEFCE.
1 December 2004
HEFCE welcomes request to provide advice on strategically important subjects
HEFCE's response to a letter from the Secretary of State for Education and Skills.
23 November 2004
Research Libraries Network appoints top jobs
Dr Michael Jubb has been appointed as Director of the Research Libraries Network (RLN) based at the British Library, with Professor Robert Burgess taking up the role of Chair of the Advisory Board. With £3 million funding from a consortium of funders, the RLN will ensure 'joined up' information services for UK researchers.
19 November 2004
HEFCE welcomes new CUC guide for governors
HEFCE welcomes the latest edition of the Committee of University Chairmen's (CUC) guide for governors in higher education institutions, which for the first time includes a code of governance.
15 November 2004
Study calls for evidence on barriers to entering HE
A review commissioned by HEFCE will look at why some people who have the ability to benefit from higher education do not go to university or college. The research will be used to develop future activities funded and promoted by HEFCE, to encourage a wider range of people to participate in HE.
15 October 2004
HEFCE welcomes fair access appointment
HEFCE has welcomed the appointment of Professor Sir Martin Harris as the first Director of Fair Access to Higher Education.
30 September 2004
HEFCE welcomes the publication of performance indicators in higher education
HEFCE has welcomed the publication of 'Performance Indicators in Higher Education in the UK 2002/03'. The indicators, published annually, provide comparative data on the performance of universities and colleges in widening participation, student retention, learning and teaching outcomes and research outcomes.
28 September 2004
RAE 2008 Main Panel Chairs appointed
The four UK higher education funding bodies are pleased to announce the appointment of 15 distinguished academics to chair the Main Panels for the next Research Assessment Exercise, due to take place in 2008 (RAE 2008).
23 September 2004
Science and Technology Select Committee publishes report on the RAE
The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee released its report on the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) today.
23 September 2004
New information and guidance package launched to help students make the right decisions about higher education
Tomorrow's students now have access to a wealth of new information and guidance aimed at helping them to make more informed choices about what and where to study in higher education based on their own personal goals.
3 September 2004
Foundation degrees report welcomed by HEFCE
HEFCE has warmly welcomed the publication of the Foundation Degree Task Force report into the future of Foundation Degrees.
31 August 2004
Aimhigher helps youngsters reach their goals
Eight innovative national schemes have received a total of £5.24 million in funding from HEFCE under the Aimhigher initiative.
10 August 2004
Drive for more doctors and nurses from deprived backgrounds
The Department of Health and HEFCE have announced details of nine schemes around the country which aim to help people from disadvantaged backgrounds become doctors, nurses and allied health professionals. The schemes will receive £9 million over five years to look at ways of encouraging a wider range of young people to train in the healthcare professions.
5 August 2004
UK students spread their wings
A report published on 5 August has found that more UK students are going abroad as part of their study. Increasingly they are choosing English-speaking destinations, and interest is growing in combining study with work placements.
29 July 2004
£3 million national framework for UK research information announced
A new national initiative - the Research Libraries Network (RLN) - is set to transform the way research information is collected, organised, preserved and accessed across the UK.
12 July 2004
HEFCE's response to the ten-year science and innovation investment framework
HEFCE welcomes the ten-year framework for science and innovation.
18 June 2004
Wind-down and transfer of activities of the e-Universities to be completed
Following the HEFCE Board meeting on 17 June, discussions are being held with the e-Universities about the completion of the wind-down and transfer of the company's activities.
18 June 2004
Report shows reduced accountability burden on HE sector
The costs to higher education institutions of accounting for the use of public funds has been reduced by around 25 per cent in real terms, according to a report commissioned by HEFCE.
15 June 2004
£185 million will enable HEIs to increase prosperity through knowledge transfer
A total of 124 awards have been made under the second round of the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF2).
3 June 2004
HEFCE and LSC consult on Lifelong Learning Networks
HEFCE, the Learning and Skills Council, and the DfES are working to encourage progression into and through higher education. As part of this, HEFCE and LSC are seeking to collaborate with national, regional and local partners on a new initiative to make a step change in vocational progression - Lifelong Learning Networks.
27 April 2004
Higher Education Active Community Fund round 2: guidance and allocations
HEFCE has published details of guidance and allocations for the second round of the Higher Education Active Community Fund (HEACF 2), which is intended to enhance the key role played by higher education institutions in their local community by supporting volunteering by students and staff.
23 April 2004
Progress on e-Universities restructuring
Statement on the restructuring of e-Universities' activities and services following HEFCE Board meeting on 22 April.
6 April 2004
HEFCE welcomes Admissions to Higher Education Steering Group recommendations
The Admissions to Higher Education Steering Group has published its draft recommendations for consultation.
2 April 2004
HEFCE announces new foundation degree places and development funds
The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) announced today the allocation of almost 9,000 full-time equivalent student places, and £5.6 million in development funding for foundation degrees starting in 2004-05 and 2005-06.
4 March 2004
HEFCE funding of nearly £6 billion provides stability to universities and colleges
HEFCE has announced that it will distribute a 9 per cent cash increase in total grants, offering stability to universities and colleges for 2004-05. This builds on an increase of almost 8 per cent announced last year. £5,993 million will be distributed in 2004-05.
27 February 2004
HEFCE discusses restructuring of e-Universities' activities
The Higher Education Funding Council for England is holding immediate talks with e-Universities on restructuring its activities and services.
24 February 2004
Funding of research by government departments
The Treasury has provided further confirmation on funding of research in HEIs that is commissioned by government departments.
13 February 2004
Continuing success in developing links between HE and business
The third annual survey to measure the level of interaction between HEIs and business and the community in the UK shows substantial development in their links and activity.
11 February 2004
Research Assessment Exercise 2008 announcement
The next Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) planned for 2008 will use quality profiles to provide a fuller and fairer assessment of research carried out in universities and colleges in the United Kingdom. The four UK higher education funding bodies have agreed the framework and timing of the next RAE, following a major review and widespread consultation.
29 January 2004
Centres for Excellence in Teaching and Learning to be established
HEFCE is inviting universities and colleges in England to bid for funding to set up Centres for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETLs). The CETLs will reward and invest in excellent teaching practice to benefit students and staff.
12 January 2004
Grant funding and student numbers for 2004-05
The Secretary of State for Education and Skills has announced funding and student numbers for higher education.
8 January 2004
Higher Education Bill published today (DfES press notice)
A Press Notice, accompanied by a complete copy of the Bill and the Regulatory Impact Assessment, is available on the DfES web-site.