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Higher education in further education colleges

We recognise that further education colleges (FECs) are important providers of higher education (HE) courses, and we support them to develop strategic HE activity. This work aims to help them build on strengths, develop distinctive provision, respond to local demand, develop education and training in higher-level skills, widen participation, and increase the accessibility of HE.

Policy and development

We have asked colleges to submit HE strategies and have provided guidance about our expectations of an FEC's HE strategy.

In order to support the development of good practice, we are funding several projects about leadership, management, governance.

Key facts about HE in FECs

• In 2006-07 108,000 students based on headcount undertook HEFCE-funded HE programmes in FECs.
• Almost 60 per cent of students studied foundation degrees and sub-degree programmes such as HNC and HNDs.
• While 49 per cent of students were part-time, a majority of students doing first degrees and foundation degrees were full-time.
• The number of students at FECs enrolled on HE courses varies considerably - 115 colleges with less than 200 students based on headcount, and 21 with more than 1,000 based on headcount out of a total of 284.
• Much of this provision - 48 per cent based on headcount - is funded indirectly through an HEI.

HE centres are important to the development of locally based HE, supporting progression from further education to HE, and within HE (for example foundation degree to degree). The majority of HE centres with funding allocated are co-located with FECs.

Further information

• Further information and publications about HE in FECs
• Integrated Quality and Enhancement Review is the process by which the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education reviews the management of standards and quality of HE in FECs.
• Since 2008, FECs have been included in the National Students Survey.
• Supporting higher education in further education colleges: policy, practice and principles contains information on policy context and strategy and good practice guidance, with examples from 60 institutions and organisations.
• The Higher Education Academy has a programme that supports FECs providing HE.

For further information please contact David Norman, tel 0117 931 7095, e-mail d.norman@hefce.ac.uk.

Last updated 13 July 2010