Governance
Higher education institutions are legally independent corporate bodies. Their councils or boards of governors are responsible for the effective management and future development of their affairs. They are ultimately responsible for all affairs of the institution.
E-mail alert service
HEFCE provides an e-mail alert service for all those involved in the governance of the higher education sector. The service gives a monthly update on HEFCE activity, covering news, publications, policy developments and information relevant to governors.
Subscription details and further information about governance-hefce.
Guide for governors
The fifth edition of the Committee of University Chair's 'Guide for Members of Governing Bodies of Universities and Colleges in the UK' (HEFCE 2009/14) was published in 2009, in association with the UK funding bodies.
The guide outlines the legal status of institutions, their governance, and the responsibilities of their governing bodies. It shares and encourages appropriate adoption of current good practice across the higher education sector. It contains a voluntary code of practice to which, it is hoped, all institutions will be able to subscribe or explain where their practices differ.
The Governance Code of Practice and General Principles is also available as a separate publication (HEFCE 2009/02).
Other information for new governors
General guides about the HE sector and funding can be read online or ordered from our publications department free of charge.
- 'Investing for successful futures: A guide to HEFCE' (HEFCE 2010/23)
- 'Higher Education in England: Achievements, challenges and prospects' (HEFCE 2009/06)
- 'Funding higher education in England: how HEFCE allocates its funds' (HEFCE 2008/33)
- HEFCE annual report and accounts
- 'Handbook for Members of Audit Committees in Higher Education Institutions: Committee of University Chairmen' (HEFCE 2008/06)
Other governance-related guidance is available in our Assurance and institutional risk section.
Further information
Contact Alison Johns at HEFCE, tel 0117 931 7069, e-mail a.johns@hefce.ac.uk for further general information on governance. Or if you have a question about a particular higher education institution contact Paul Greaves, tel 0117 931 7378, e-mail p.greaves@hefce.ac.uk.
Last updated 25 August 2010