Sector impact assessments

We undertake assessments of the impact of our policies on the higher education sector. These sector impact assessments help us measure and anticipate the impact of our work. Also we have a statutory duty to assess the impact of our policies in the area of gender, race and disability. This section contains completed sector impact assessments. We assess the impact of HEFCE policies for three principal requirements:

minimising the regulatory burden for HEIs
promoting equality and diversity
promoting sustainable development.

Evidence-based evaluation is central to assessment in these three areas. This means that authoritative existing evidence must inform assessments and that HEFCE must think through policy decisions in a structured way according to measurable data. The process of assessment, therefore, gives HEFCE the opportunity to make sure the impact of policies is considered, practical, fair and sustainable.

Assessments for individual policies are listed on these pages by policy area. Each assessment takes the form of answers to thirteen questions in the three key areas: regulatory burden, equality and diversity, and sustainable development.

We have also provided a list of assessments we will carry out at some point in the next six months.

Last updated 21 August 2009