HEFCE News : 2009
More news and a round up of information issued by the HEFCE is published in Council Briefing and HEFCE Update.
22 December 2009
Grant announcement for higher education 2010-11
The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills has set out the funding for higher education in 2010-11 in the annual grant letter to HEFCE.
17 December 2009
Joint statement on London Metropolitan University
HEFCE and the University Board of Governors have agreed a course of action regarding the University’s effective governance and management.
15 December 2009
How HEFCE counts students for funding purposes
A look at the way HEFCE asks institutions to count students and how it treats 'non-completions'.
8 December 2009
Task force to help extend position of UK as world leader in online learning
An Online Learning Task Force has been set up to make recommendations for the development of excellence in online learning.
1 December 2009
Students to take central role in new quality arrangements
A joint consultation is launched today to inform improvements in the way the quality of UK higher education is assured.
30 November 2009
Response to modern foreign languages review
HEFCE and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills have issued a joint response to the recently published review.
30 November 2009
8,500 graduate internships available
HEFCE has called on universities to assist unemployed graduates through a scheme that will provide £13.6 million for graduate internships.
26 November 2009
Ground-breaking university research depends on block grant funding
A joint report with Universities UK shows the real difference government money to support research is making.
25 November 2009
New Director for Education and Participation appointed
Heather Fry has been appointed Director of Education and Participation at HEFCE, succeeding John Selby who retires at the end of April 2010.
20 November 2009
Students and staff to get support for social change
A new awards scheme will promote and recognise social entrepreneurship activity in higher education.
10 November 2009
Appointments to the HEFCE Board announced
The Minister of State for Higher Education, David Lammy announced today the appointment of four new members to the HEFCE Board.
10 November 2009
National HE STEM programme universities announced
Six universities will work as part of a major initiative to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics throughout England and Wales.
3 November 2009
Higher education framework welcomed
HEFCE welcomes the framework for higher education published today by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
2 November 2009
Round five of Clinical Senior Lectureship Awards
Nominations are invited for the fifth round of Clinical Senior Lectureship Awards.
22 October 2009
Nominees invited for the fdf Management Board
fdf invites applications for positions on its Management Board.
20 October 2009
Review of languages provision published
A review of modern foreign languages provision examines concerns about falling student numbers and the reduction in provision.
15 October 2009
HEFCE increasingly valued by stakeholders
An independent survey shows a shift towards a 'very good' relationship between the Council and organisations with an interest in higher education.
7 October 2009
First ever Aimhigher Associates recognised at national awards
A new mentoring scheme has inspired and encouraged over 7,000 young people to consider applying to university.
5 October 2009
HEFCE increases investment in nine HE centres
Development of the centres will take place in parts of the country not well served by higher education.
5 October 2009
New 'University Challenge': decisions announced
Details of successful and unsuccessful proposals under the initiative to support new higher education centres by 2014.
1 October 2009
Important issues for teaching quality but no signs of systemic failure
A report commissioned by HEFCE examines public concerns about quality and standards in English higher education.
30 September 2009
Nominees invited for the Higher Education Academy Board
We invite applications for positions on the Higher Education Academy Board.
23 September 2009
Consultation on the Research Excellence Framework published
HEFCE, on behalf of the four UK higher education funding bodies, has launched a consultation on the successor to the RAE.
21 September 2009
Report on relationship between universities and businesses welcomed
HEFCE has welcomed the CBI Higher Education Task Force report recommending a stronger relationship between higher education and business.
14 September 2009
Swine flu: updated government guidance
Guidance for higher and further education institutions on dealing with swine flu.
3 September 2009
Longitudinal destination of leavers survey published
HEFCE welcomes the publication today of a survey of students who left higher education during 2005.
1 September 2009
New policy to address unsatisfactory quality in institutions
HEFCE has set out its approach to institutions that are experiencing chronic and continuing problems in the quality of learning and teaching.
18 August 2009
Call to involve disabled people in policy making
HEFCE invites people with disabilities to become involved in HEFCE's policy making process over the next 12 months.
6 August 2009
Dealings with London Metropolitan University published
In response to the scale of funding adjustments and the level of public interest, HEFCE has released information on its dealings with the university.
6 August 2009
Student survey shows increased participation and high satisfaction
Four-fifths of the growing number of respondents to higher education's National Student Survey expressed satisfaction with their course.
31 July 2009
Swine flu: updated government guidance
Guidance for higher and further education institutions on dealing with swine flu.
31 July 2009
Final distribution of new student places confirmed
HEFCE has written to universities and colleges to confirm their share of the 10,000 new student places for 2009-10.
30 July 2009
Consultation opens on a carbon reduction target and strategy
A joint consultation between HEFCE, Universities UK and GuildHE on developing a carbon reduction target and strategy for higher education in England is being published today.
29 July 2009
Further information on new student places for 2009-10
Information and guidance issued to the sector on the extra 10,000 full-time undergraduate places for 2009-10, including each institution’s share of new places.
28 July 2009
Professor Sir William Wakeham appointed new chair of SEPnet
The new chair of the HEFCE-funded consortium of six university physics departments across the south-east has been announced.
27 July 2009
HEFCE wins award for promoting excellence
London Excellence has awarded HEFCE their 2009 Ambassador's Blue Riband award.
24 July 2009
New student places in 2009-10
Letter from Minister for Higher Education, David Lammy concerning undergraduate places for 2009-10.
23 July 2009
Funding agreements for 2009-10 issued
HEFCE has issued revised annual grants and funding agreements to universities and colleges for the academic year 2009-10.
22 July 2009
Consultation opens on teaching funding efficiency savings
HEFCE consults on proposed efficiencies in annual resources for teaching.
15 July 2009
Nominees invited for the QAA Board
We invite applications for positions on the QAA Board.
13 July 2009
Universities' support for the economy increasing in tougher times
Higher education in the UK provided ideas and services worth £2.812 billion in 2007-08, according to an annual survey.
10 July 2009
BIS is seeking to appoint new Board members for HEFCE (BIS announcement)
The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) invites applications for positions on the HEFCE Board.
25 June 2009
£7.8 million grant to tackle common problems in HE
New funds will enhance the national role of the Open University, and enable shared solutions to common problems in the higher education sector.
17 June 2009
Management of human resources in HE has been transformed
The higher education sector has seen widespread improvements in human resources management since 2001, according to an independent study.
16 June 2009
Swine flu: updated government guidance
Guidance for higher and further education institutions on dealing with swine flu.
15 June 2009
Drive to boost STEM will raise student numbers and aid economy
More about the national programme to increase the number of graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
8 June 2009
National celebration of Aimhigher gets under way
A week to highlight the considerable breadth and success of Aimhigher activity across the country is launched today.
4 June 2009
Participation in higher education continues to widen
The 11th set of UK higher education performance indicators were published today.
22 May 2009
HEFCE commissions review of languages provision
The review will look at the long-term sustainability and vitality of modern foreign languages in England.
13 May 2009
Capital investment in research drives up productivity and attracts business
Capital funding in universities has produced a range of benefits, according to a report published today.
13 May 2009
HEFCE statement following the Secretary of State's letter of 6 May
The HEFCE Board at its meeting on 7 May considered the implications for universities and colleges of the Secretary of State's letter.
11 May 2009
Economy to benefit from £60 million of new higher education projects
HEFCE has approved a further £60 million of capital funding, with some projects able to start this month.
11 May 2009
Ground-breaking mentoring scheme will help pupils aim higher
The national Aimhigher Associates programme launched today, following a successful pilot last year.
8 May 2009
Entry and completion of part-time students examined
HEFCE has published a report on the characteristics of part-time study focusing on the completion rates of students entering a first degree.
7 May 2009
Impact of the Budget Statement on higher education 2010-11
Letter from the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills following the Budget Statement of 22 April 2009.
27 April 2009
Study shows diversity of student experience
An examination of international differences in the student experience shows an increasingly diverse student landscape.
16 April 2009
£25 million awarded to transform approaches to energy consumption
Forty-four higher education institutions will receive awards via the Revolving Green Fund.
9 April 2009
Universities offer help for communities in tough times
Successful bidders for a share of £50 million in the economic investment match-funding scheme are announced.
1 April 2009
Investment in higher education benefits the economy and society
Money spent on higher education's work with the wider world is providing long-term value for money, according to a report published by HEFCE.
26 March 2009
HEFCE launches strategy for technology-enhanced learning
Following an independent review, a new publication sets out a revised approach to HEFCE's e-learning strategy.
13 March 2009
Aimhigher summer schools reach disadvantaged young people
A report analysing Aimhigher summer schools is published today.
10 March 2009
New world-class centres for academic health science announced
HEFCE welcomes the creation of globally competitive partnerships between universities and leading NHS organisations.
9 March 2009
A new 'University Challenge' aims for up to 20 new HE centres
HEFCE has set out the process for submitting proposals for a new higher education centre or university campus.
5 March 2009
£8 billion for English higher education to secure future prosperity
HEFCE will make available £7,994 million in funding for universities and colleges in England for 2009-10.
26 February 2009
New book celebrates the successes of English higher education
HEFCE champions the achievements of the higher education sector and encourages debate over its future.
20 February 2009
Launch of UK Research Reserve
The second phase of the programme to safeguard access to the UK's research journals has been launched.
19 February 2009
Achieving a sustainable future for learning and teaching
A report by the Financial Sustainability Strategy Group published today sets out what needs to be done to achieve a sustainable future for learning and teaching.
18 February 2009
Listening and responding to the student voice
While most institutions are positive about their student-engagement processes, student unions are more doubtful, according to a report commissioned by HEFCE.
17 February 2009
Study reveals growth in the numbers of PhD students
The number of starters to full-time PhD programmes grew by 22 per cent between 1996-97 and 2004-05 from 13,800 to 16,900, according to a study published today.
3 February 2009
New action plan for a more sustainable sector
A new plan to put higher education at the forefront of society's efforts to achieve sustainability has been published today by HEFCE.
29 January 2009
Funding for universities and colleges in 2009-10
HEFCE has set out a summary of the Board's decisions relating to the recent grant letter from the Secretary of State.
28 January 2009
HEFCE welcomes new campaign to promote science
HEFCE is supporting a new government campaign launched today to highlight the vital role science plays in the wellbeing and prosperity of Britain.
27 January 2009
Universities to respond rapidly to recession
The new Economic Challenge Investment Fund will enable higher education to respond quickly to the fallout from the economic downturn.
27 January 2009
Progress in reducing accountability burden on universities
The costs of accountability for universities and colleges have continued to fall according to a report published today.
22 January 2009
Grant announcement for higher education 2009-10
The Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills has set out the funding for higher education in 2009-10 in the annual grant letter to HEFCE.
19 January 2009
HEFCE's response to review of the Leitch report's impact
HEFCE has welcomed the Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee report examining the impact of Lord Leitch's 2006 review of skills.
12 January 2009
Call for strategic assessments of widening participation
HEFCE and OFFA today set out details of the new form of reporting on widening participation in higher education institutions.