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Widening participation toolkits launched
19 December 2012
The Higher Education Academy (HEA) has published four toolkits offering practical guidance to those working in higher education (HE) outreach and widening participation. The toolkits are web-based and are available on the HEA website.
A new system for alternative providers of higher education?
14 December 2012
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is consulting on proposals to develop a new system for alternative providers of higher education.
Suzy Walton appointed to HEFCE Board
06 December 2012
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has announced a new member of the HEFCE Board.
Bright future for independent Jisc
05 December 2012
Jisc, the body which provides innovative technology, resources, information and advice to support UK higher and further education (HE and FE) and skills, is now registered as an independent charity following a review by HEFCE.
National strategy for access and student success
23 November 2012
HEFCE and the Office for Fair Access (OFFA) have today published correspondence with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), relating to the development of a national strategy for access and student success in higher education.
Second call to the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund
21 November 2012
£80 million to develop research facilities across the UK will encourage collaboration and support excellent research.
More funding for green projects
16 November 2012
The third round of HEFCE’s Revolving Green Fund (RGF) is announced today, with £20 million (Note) available from 2013.
Secure finances against a background of change
05 November 2012
The projected performance for the higher education sector in England for the period to 2014-15 is sound overall, although this is heavily dependent on the sector achieving its student recruitment targets.
More than £1 billion to be invested in UK science and research
30 October 2012
Seven new university and business research partnerships in sectors including life sciences, energy efficiency and advanced manufacturing were announced today by David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science.
Raising the profile of postgraduate education
29 October 2012
A report on postgraduate education by the Higher Education Commission was launched today.
Consultation aims to improve the way costs are measured and reported in higher education
25 October 2012
HEFCE has launched a consultation on improving the Transparent Approach to Costing (TRAC), an activity-based costing approach used by UK higher education institutions (HEIs).
Next steps in risk-based quality assurance
25 October 2012
HEFCE has published the outcomes of its consultation on the future direction of quality assurance in higher education (notes 1 and 2).
Checking student qualifications
22 October 2012
An online service has been launched to help employers check graduates’ qualifications and recognised degree-awarding bodies.
£15.5 million for quantitative methods training for social science undergraduates
17 October 2012
The Nuffield Foundation, the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) have launched a major new funding programme designed to promote a step-change in quantitative methods training for social science undergraduates in the UK.
London Metropolitan University licence revocation: task force stands down
16 October 2012
The task force established by the Universities Minister, David Willetts, held its final meeting yesterday.
£200 million boost to UK research partnership investment fund brings total investment to £1 billion
08 October 2012
The Government has today announced £200 million additional funding for the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UKRPIF) (note 1). This is on top of the £100 million announced in the Budget – a total of £300 million of public investment.
London Metropolitan University licence revocation: fifth meeting of the task force
08 October 2012
London Metropolitan University and the UK Border Agency have reached agreement (note 4) following an earlier judicial hearing at which the Court made clear its concern to protect the interests of those students currently studying or about to begin their studies at London Metropolitan University, and who have full and proper immigration status.
How many young people in your area go into higher education?
03 October 2012
A new report published by HEFCE looks at how the chances of young people entering higher education (HE) vary according to where they live.
Catalyst Fund supports precision farming at Harper Adams
01 October 2012
The funding of £1.4 million from HEFCE for Harper Adams University College will support the National Centre for Precision Farming. The centre will facilitate teaching and applied research activity in advanced agricultural engineering to enable precision farming techniques which contribute to the UK’s efforts towards global food security.
New web-site will help students decide what and where to study
27 September 2012
Students applying to university will have more information at their fingertips than ever before to help them make choices about courses and where to study.
Highest ever satisfaction rates in 2012 student survey
27 September 2012
Students are more satisfied with their experience at UK universities or colleges than at any time in the eight years of the National Student Survey (NSS), with 85 per cent saying they are satisfied overall with their course in this year's survey. (Note 2)
London Metropolitan licence revocation: Note from task force
25 September 2012
London Metropolitan University has been granted permission by the High Court to apply for judicial review of the UK Border Agency’s decision on 29 August to revoke its licence to sponsor international students. The Court heard representations from both parties, and the National Union of Students provided evidence as a third party. The Court made clear its concern for the protection of the interests of those students currently studying, or about to begin their studies at London Metropolitan University, and who have full and proper immigration status.
Workshops on religious literacy
25 September 2012
The Religious Literacy Leadership Programme, a HEFCE-funded project, is delivering two free workshops in London (7 November) and Birmingham (8 November).
London Metropolitan University licence revocation: fourth meeting of the task force
20 September 2012
The clearing house to support students who wish to transfer from London Metropolitan University to another institution went live on Monday. Students were sent an email inviting them to register with the online service, and to make use of the helpline and walk-in support service.
London Metropolitan University licence revocation: third meeting of the task force
13 September 2012
The task force (notes 1-5) has finalised the arrangements for the clearing house which London Metropolitan University has established. The clearing house will support students wishing to transfer from London Metropolitan University to continue their studies in this country. It will be open for students to use from this Monday (17 September).
HEFCE welcomes support for HEIF and additional funding for top performers
13 September 2012
Today David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science, announced an additional £6 million that HEFCE will allocate to the highest performing universities in knowledge exchange. The funding was announced in a speech at the Universities UK (UUK) conference today.
Gifts to UK universities and colleges buck the recession drag experienced by other UK charities
12 September 2012
Donating to universities and colleges in the UK is more widespread than ever before, according to a report published by HEFCE today.
Institutions share knowledge through Sustainability Exchange
11 September 2012
Universities, colleges and schools all stand to benefit from the Sustainability Exchange, a groundbreaking new ‘knowledge bank’ for the higher education sector.
£10 million investment for open access
07 September 2012
HEFCE welcomes the announcement of a £10 million investment by Government in the transition to open access.
London Metropolitan University licence revocation: second meeting of the task force
06 September 2012
The task force established by the Universities Minister met again yesterday to continue its work to support students affected by the UK Border Agency’s decision to revoke London Metropolitan University’s licence to sponsor non-EU students.
London Metropolitan University licence revocation: first meeting of the task force
31 August 2012
Following the UK Border Agency’s decision on 29 August to revoke London Metropolitan University’s licence to sponsor non-EU students, the Universities Minister, David Willetts, announced the formation of a Task Force to support the students affected by the decision.
London Metropolitan University
30 August 2012
London Metropolitan University's licence to sponsor students from outside the European Union has been revoked.
Supporting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
22 August 2012
For several years we have we have recognised science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) as strategically important and vulnerable subjects. This provided the basis for a programme of work that addressed specific aspects of vulnerability in different strategically important subjects.
HEFCE report highlights role of further education colleges in widening participation in England
22 August 2012
A report published by HEFCE today (‘Widening participation and non-continuation indicators for further education colleges: Overview of trends’, HEFCE 2012/20) shows for the first time patterns of widening participation and non-continuation of full-time higher education (HE) students in HEFCE-funded further education colleges (FECs), and finds that FECs are performing particularly strongly in widening access (Note 1).
Student retention and success: What works?
13 August 2012
The Paul Hamlyn Foundation has published a report on approaches taken by universities and colleges on how to improve student retention and success.
Universities chosen in pioneering social entrepreneurship initiative
09 August 2012
Social entrepreneurship is a rapidly growing movement within the higher education (HE) sector. A £2 million HE support initiative, funded by HEFCE, and delivered by UnLtd, the Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs, has now selected 56 higher education institutions (HEIs) from across England to lead a pioneering programme to place social entrepreneurship at the heart of their culture and infrastructure.
UK universities contribute to economic growth
23 July 2012
Universities in the UK contributed £3.3 billion to the economy in 2010-11 through services to business, including commercialisation of new knowledge, delivery of professional training, consultancy and services.
Where does the time go?
19 July 2012
How do different higher education institutions approach staff time allocation? This is the subject of a report published today, ‘Review of time allocation methods’, that will inform the costing of activities in higher education.
Nominee invited for the QAA Board
16 July 2012
HEFCE is seeking a nominee to represent the four UK HE funding bodies on the Board of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
Impetus for open access in publicly funded research
16 July 2012
HEFCE has announced plans to make publicly-funded research more freely available.
Concordat to strengthen UK research integrity
10 July 2012
A joint commitment has been made to promote the highest standards in research.
Mark Robson appointed to HEFCE Board
03 July 2012
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has announced a new member of the HEFCE Board.
Commitment to widening participation continues
03 July 2012
HEFCE and the Office for Fair Access (OFFA) have published a joint report on our monitoring of widening participation strategic assessments and access agreements for 2010-11.
Universities and business forge stronger partnership – new National Centre announced
26 June 2012
The Council for Industry and Higher Education (CIHE) will today (26 June) announce plans to launch a new National Centre for Universities and Business. The centre will focus on strengthening the strategic partnership between universities and business with a view to driving economic growth and recovery. HEFCE will initially fund the centre, with support from other national funding bodies.
Embracing open access to research
18 June 2012
HEFCE welcomes the report of a working group on expanding access to published research findings.
Government publishes response to HE consultations
14 June 2012
HEFCE and the Student Loans Company (SLC) have received a letter from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) following the publication of the Government's response to the white paper ‘Students at the Heart of the System’ and the BIS technical consultation ‘A new fit for purpose regulatory framework for higher education’.
RCUK and HEFCE join forces on researcher skills development
30 May 2012
In an announcement made today by David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science, Research Councils UK (RCUK) and HEFCE have come together to strengthen their support for ensuring the development of world-class skills amongst research staff.
Review of philanthropic support for higher education
23 May 2012
HEFCE invites responses to a consultation about philanthropic support and fundraising in UK higher education.
HEFCE and OFFA get green light for closer collaboration on widening participation and fair access
23 May 2012
HEFCE and the Office for Fair Access (OFFA) join forces in welcoming the letter from Ministers (Tuesday 22 May 2012) on developing a shared strategy for widening participation and promoting fair access to higher education.
Nominations invited for round three of Senior Clinical Lectureship Awards
21 May 2012
Round three of the Senior Clinical Lectureship Awards opens for nominations today.
£100 million for new research facilities
14 May 2012
The UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UKRPIF) has been established to develop research facilities across the UK, encourage collaboration and support excellent research.
Rates of qualification from postgraduate research degrees
09 May 2012
HEFCE is publishing a report today that presents projected rates of qualification for students on postgraduate research degrees (Note 1). The data show that around two-thirds of the 10,140 students who started research degrees in English higher education institutions (HEIs) in 2009-10 are projected to qualify within seven years, and around three-quarters will qualify over a longer period.
Improving quality assurance in higher education
08 May 2012
Today HEFCE has launched a consultation on the introduction of a more risk-based approach to quality assurance in higher education in England, in response to the Government’s White Paper, ‘Students at the heart of the system’.
Support for study and work abroad
03 May 2012
HEFCE welcomes a report published today on outward student mobility.
Investing for a sustainable Olympic legacy
30 April 2012
Universities Week 2012 kicks off today with activities around the UK to highlight the contribution that higher education makes to the Olympic movement, to sport and culture, and to the wider economy and society.
Higher education takes centre stage in innovation and growth
30 April 2012
A HEFCE-sponsored report describing higher education’s contribution to economic growth and the development of society through knowledge exchange is to be launched today at the Big Innovation Centre (Note 1). The event brings together experts in innovation from Government, agencies, business and universities.
Student number controls for 2013-14
27 April 2012
HEFCE has today received confirmation of the Government’s policy on student number controls for full-time higher education students for the 2013-14 academic year.
HEFCE allocates £5.3 billion to universities and colleges in England for 2012-13
29 March 2012
HEFCE will allocate £5.3 billion to 129 universities and higher education colleges and 186 directly funded further education colleges for the academic year 2012-13 (note 1).
Funding for university research facilities
21 March 2012
HEFCE welcomes the £100 million funding announced in the budget today for university research facilities.
BIS is seeking to appoint a new member to the HEFCE Board
15 March 2012
The Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) wishes to appoint a new HEFCE Board member.
Collaborations, alliances and mergers: Guidance and lessons learned
13 March 2012
HEFCE has published a consultation report that sets out the lessons learned from collaborations, alliances and mergers (CAM) in higher education, and proposes guidance for universities and colleges that may be contemplating such arrangements for the future. By consulting on this report, HEFCE hopes to: enrich its content with further evidence from the sector; stimulate challenge to the conclusions it draws; and identify areas where further guidance would be helpful.
Universities record healthy financial results
12 March 2012
The higher education sector is facing a period of significant change over the next few years, as new arrangements for teaching funding are introduced. However, it does so from a position of financial strength, according to the HEFCE, which has today published a review of sector finances.
HEFCE has allocated 20,000 student places for 2012-13 through the 'margin' process
07 March 2012
In October HEFCE published its approach to implementing the control on the number of full-time students that universities and colleges can recruit for 2012-13. This included information about how they could bid for 20,000 'margin' places (Note 1). The outcomes of bids are published today.
Student number controls and teaching funding: consultation on changes for 2013-14 and beyond
29 February 2012
HEFCE has published the second stage of a consultation on future arrangements for allocating funding for teaching in universities and colleges and implementing government policy on student number controls.
Vacancies on Audit Committee
28 February 2012
We are currently looking to appoint three new independent members to our Audit Committee.
Sir Tim Wilson's review of university-business collaboration welcomed
28 February 2012
HEFCE welcomes the review and looks forward to joining the debate about its findings.
HEFCE welcomes fair access appointment
20 February 2012
The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) welcomes the appointment of Professor Les Ebdon as Director of the Office for Fair Access (OFFA). Professor Ebdon will succeed Sir Martin Harris.
Voluntary giving to higher education: success and challenges for the next decade
02 February 2012
The matched funding scheme for voluntary giving (Note 1) which ran from 2008 to 2011 has come to an end. Over the three years around £580 million of eligible gifts have gone to England's universities and colleges.
Decisions on HEFCE funding for higher education 2012-13
01 February 2012
The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) today announces its funding decisions for higher education in England following the annual grant letter (Note 1) from the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) and subsequent decisions by the HEFCE Board. This announcement covers HEFCE funding for the academic year 2012-13 (Note 2).
HEFCE launches its equality scheme
31 January 2012
Following consultation, HEFCE has published its latest equality scheme, which sets out its approach to equality and diversity both within the organisation and in its work with the higher education sector, for the next three years.
Research Excellence Framework panel criteria published
30 January 2012
The final criteria and working methods that the Research Excellence Framework (REF) panels will use when assessing research are published today.
Funding for higher education in England for 2012-13: HEFCE grant letter from BIS
25 January 2012
The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the Minister for Universities and Science have today confirmed funding allocations to the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) for 2012-13 and the Government’s priorities for the Council for the coming year.
Funding to put universities at the heart of social change
23 January 2012
Students and staff to benefit from an embedded social entrepreneurship culture across the higher education sector.
New projects to reduce university carbon emissions
12 January 2012
Funding for projects at 27 universities under HEFCE's Revolving Green Fund (RGF) was announced today.
Universities Week offers a sporting chance to show off Olympics contribution
11 January 2012
Universities are invited to provide case studies of the many and varied ways they are contributing to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, to be showcased during Universities Week 2012.
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