Sector impact assessments

We assess the impact of our policies on the higher education sector through 'sector impact assessments'. They help us measure and anticipate the impact of our work and meet our statutory duty to assess the impact of our policies in the areas of gender, race and disability.

We assess the impact of HEFCE policies for three principal requirements:

• minimising the regulatory burden for HEIs
• promoting equality and diversity
• promoting sustainable development.

Each assessment takes the form of answers to 13 questions in these three key areas.

Evidence-based evaluation is central to assessment. This means that authoritative existing evidence must inform assessments and that HEFCE must think through policy decisions in a structured way according to measurable data. The process of assessment, therefore, gives HEFCE the opportunity to make sure the impact of policies is considered, practical, fair and sustainable.

Assessments for individual policies are listed on these pages by policy area. We have also provided a list of assessments we will carry out during the next six months.