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Strategically important subjects

In 2004, the Secretary of State sought advice from us on whether there are any strategically important higher education subjects or courses. The 'strategic importance' of these subjects refers to the need for some kind of assistive intervention to facilitate the subject's provision. Where such intervention is necessary in order to address a mismatch between supply and demand, the subject is designated as both strategically important and vulnerable.

The Secretary of State requested that we examine prospective strategically important subjects and the types of intervention that could be considered.

Strategically important and vulnerable subjects

In response to the Government's request, we have undertaken a £350 million programme of work to support subjects that are strategically important and vulnerable. The work of our advisory group has informed the scope and direction of this programme. Currently, the following subjects are identified as strategically important and vulnerable:

• science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
• area studies and related minority languages, including:
  • Arabic and Turkish language studies and other Middle Eastern area studies, former Soviet Union Caucasus and central Asian area studies
  • Japanese, Chinese and other far eastern languages and area studies
  • courses relating to recent EU accession countries, especially those in Eastern Europe and the Baltic
• quantitative social science
• modern foreign languages.

Advisory group's 2009 report

In response to a request in Lord Sainsbury's Review of Science and Innovation, 'The Race to the Top', the advisory group has produced its first annual report on the supply of and demand for STEM graduates.

A detailed breakdown of our funding for strategically important and vulnerable subjects is outlined below.

HEFCE's programme of work to support strategically important and vulnerable subjects 2005-06 to 2011-12

[ Download HEFCE's programme of work as Adobe PDF 47K | Download HEFCE's programme of work as MS Word 83K ]

We have produced a brief guide to illustrate our support for and future approach towards strategically important and vulnerable subjects.

Sustaining science and other key vulnerable subjects in higher education

[ Download Sustaining science and other key vulnerable subjects in higher education as Adobe PDF 711K ]

We published the advisory group's final report to the Secretary of State in October 2008.

Other strategically important subjects

Islamic studies

In June 2007 the Government identified Islamic studies as a strategically important subject. We are in the process of investigating an appropriate form of intervention, with advice from the Islamic studies community. We are not treating Islamic studies as vulnerable until we have fully assessed the needs of the subject.

Land-based studies

In 2007, a review of land-based studies found no immediate threat to the sustainability of its provision in England, while recommending specific actions to prevent future vulnerability. We have subsequently agreed that the subject should no longer be considered vulnerable, but have launched a programme of support to forestall potential risks.

Science: [So What? So Everything]

HEFCE is part of the 'Science: [So What? So Everything]' campaign, which aims to show people how science benefits our everyday lives, and is crucial in strengthening the UK economy and meeting some of the major challenges of our time.

Further information

Details of our continuing support for strategic subjects are also available.

Questions about HEFCE's approach to strategic subjects should be directed to Paul Hazell, tel 0117 931 7452, e-mail p.hazell@hefce.ac.uk.

Last updated 11 March 2010