Financial Sustainability Strategy Group
The Financial Sustainability Strategy Group (FSSG) is a high-level forum that considers the strategic, policy, cultural and technical issues around the use and development of the Transparent Approach to Costing (TRAC).
It aims to meet institutions' needs for management information for decision-making, and to satisfy accountability requirements, and inform public policy and funding decisions.
Assessing the sustainability of higher education institutions
The FSSG has published a report describing the findings of a UK-wide study to develop indicators of institutional sustainability. UK institutions can use these indicators to manage their futures, and to provide assurance to their funding and regulatory bodies.
The report describes how to approach assessing sustainability, using an intelligent and forward-looking synthesis of data from a variety of sources. It has to be done by each institution in the light of its own circumstances and strategy, and is the responsibility of the governing body, advised by the senior management.
Assessing the sustainability of higher education institutions
[ Adobe PDF 548K | MS Word 337K ]
Latest letter from the Chair
The latest letter from the group's Chair provides an update on the HEFCE Review of TRAC.
Letter from the Chair of FSSG (January 2011)
[ Download latest letter from the Chair of FSSG Adobe PDF 61K | Download latest letter from the Chair of FSSG MS Word 699K ]
The sustainability of learning and teaching in English higher education
The FSSG has published a report on the sustainability of learning and teaching in English higher education (HE). The work was led by a sub-group of the FSSG, chaired by Professor Geoffrey Crossick, Warden, Goldsmiths, University of London.
The report reviews the 'state of health' of learning and teaching. It looks at the cost pressures which impact on the sustainability and fitness-for-purpose of teaching, and the distinctive UK student learning experience. A range of evidence informed the report, including case studies at six English universities.
The report highlights actions for institutions and the HE sector collectively. This includes recommendations for funding the English HE sector if it is to maintain its reputation and international market position against increasing competition.
The sustainability of learning and teaching in English higher education
[ Adobe PDF 467K ]
Membership and communications
FSSG membership
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FSSG terms of reference, aims and objectives
[ Download FSSG terms of reference Adobe PDF 8K | Download FSSG terms of reference MS Word 61K ]
Further information
Further information about the group's programme of work is available in a letter from the chair, Professor Steve Smith issued under Circular letter 10/2008.
Letter from the Chair of FSSG (26 June 2009)
[ Download Letter from the Chair of FSSG (26 June 2009) Adobe PDF 85K | Download Letter from the Chair of FSSG (26 June 2009) MS Word 692K ]
Letter from the Chair of FSSG (12 February 2009)
[ Download Letter from the Chair of FSSG Adobe PDF 33K | Download Letter from the Chair of FSSG MS Word 690K ]
Letter from the chair of the Financial Sustainability Strategy Group (1 December 2008)
[ Download Letter from the chair of the Financial Sustainability Strategy Group Adobe PDF 36K | Download Letter from the chair of the Financial Sustainability Strategy Group MS Word 713K ]
Letter from the chair of the TRAC Strategy Group (16 July 2008)
[ Download letter from the chair of the TRAC Strategy Group (16 July 2008) Adobe PDF 24K | Download letter from the chair of the TRAC Strategy Group (16 July 2008) MS Word 122K ]
Letter from the chair of the TRAC Strategy Group (7 May 2008)
[ Download letter from the chair of the TRAC Strategy Group (7 May 2008) Adobe PDF 41K | Download letter from the chair of the TRAC Strategy Group (7 May 2008) MS Word 110K ]
TRAC Development Group
The FSSG forms part of a two-tier governance structure for TRAC. The TRAC Development Group oversees the various strands of TRAC development and reports to the FSSG.
Last updated 9 January 2012