Favourability towards HEFCE continues to grow

28 February 2008

An independent survey of universities and further education colleges offering higher education shows that favourability towards HEFCE has risen steeply over the past seven years.

Ipsos MORI, who conducted the survey, concluded that favourability, familiarity and overall satisfaction have improved impressively since the 2000 survey. The survey found that 84 per cent of respondents had a favourable view of HEFCE in 2007, compared with 76 per cent in 2003 and 61 per cent in 2000.

A strong majority feel that HEFCE is respected, approachable, efficient, in touch and transparent, and half would describe it as 'pro-active', 'flexible' and 'innovative'.

In terms of the main policy areas for which HEFCE is responsible more than three-quarters of respondents think higher education policy development, and support for widening participation and learning and teaching are carried out effectively. HEFCE's support for the enhancement of research has also improved significantly in perceived effectiveness from 44 per cent in 2003 to 60 per cent in 2007.

Three quarters of the respondents are satisfied with the relationship their institution has with HEFCE, representing a 10 point improvement since 2003; and 60 per cent think that HEFCE values their organisation. Nearly half (49 per cent) feel that HEFCE takes account of its requirements on institutions' resources, compared with 27 per cent in 2003.

Eighty per cent think that quality of staff is good compared with 67 per cent in 2003. The perception of positive coverage of HEFCE in the media has also improved from 35 per cent in 2003 to 58 per cent in 2007.

The vast majority of stakeholders (94 per cent) feel that HEFCE communicates well with their organisation and 82 per cent think that HEFCE keeps them informed.

Kate Smith, Project Director at MORI, said:

'The survey findings paint a positive picture for HEFCE. It is clear that HEFCE is very well thought of within its principal stakeholder community, particularly in comparison to similar organisations'.

Professor David Eastwood, Chief Executive of HEFCE, said:

'This is an outstanding result. It demonstrates improving trends from previous surveys, reflecting our continuing commitment to working in partnership and communicating effectively with universities and colleges. We shall be studying the results carefully and use them to implement further improvements.'

Notes

1. '2007 Survey of Communications and Relations between HEFCE and Universities and Colleges' is available on the HEFCE web-site.

2. The surveys were conducted online by Ipsos MORI in October and November 2007. The response rate of 52 per cent was good. There were 398 responses (344 from 38 higher education institutions and 54 from 34 further education colleges).

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