Previous stakeholder surveys

Ipsos MORI, the independent market researchers, conducted a survey of universities and further education colleges offering higher education in October and November 2007. The survey found that 84 per cent of participants had a favourable view of HEFCE and that more than three-quarters thought HEFCE carried out higher education policy development effectively.

In 2005, for the first time, we commissioned the independent market researchers MORI to carry out a quantitative survey of non-HEI stakeholders. The survey found that 77 per cent of stakeholders with an interest in higher education were satisfied with their relationship with us. They especially valued how we work in partnership with their organisation, listen to their views and work with them on shared objectives.

The MORI survey, conducted between December 2002 and January 2003, was the fourth survey into the Council's relationship with the HE sector. Views of staff in 25 universities, 17 higher education colleges and 29 FE colleges were surveyed from all nine English regions.

Sir Howard Newby, Chief Executive of HEFCE, said : 'We are very grateful to everyone who took part in the survey.

'Inevitably any survey is a snapshot and timing is significant. We chose a period of relative stability before the publication of the Government's White Paper, the 2003-04 grant announcement and the publication of the Council's draft strategic plan. While overall the results are encouraging, we will make sure we learn from the findings so that we can continue to improve our service to the sector.'

Staff in higher education institutions and further education colleges had an opportunity to air their views in a survey by MORI completed in 2000.

The survey involved interviews and focus groups involving 21 HEIs followed by quantitative questionnaires sent to 56 HEIs and FE colleges which were completed by 370 staff in a variety of management, academic and other posts.

The key findings were:

• the majority of respondents said that HEFCE compares favourably with the other organisations with which they deal
• the majority of staff were satisfied with the relationship their institution has with HEFCE
• many institutions felt that HEFCE was approachable, respected, efficient, effective and in touch with the institutions it funds
• on balance, staff agreed that the service provided to institutions had improved over the past three years.