TRAC for practitioners

This page provides guidance and links to material for TRAC Practitioners or those involved in the development and implementation of the costing methodology.

The TRAC Development Group (TDG) oversees developments in this area.

Publications and guidance 

TRAC Guidance

A set of consolidated TRAC guidance (issued June 2005) and periodic updates are available on the web-site of the Joint Costing and Pricing Steering Group (JCPSG).

The JCPSG site itemises details of revisions to the Guidance, including the most recent changes in respect of the cost adjustments.

A document was published in September 2011 that consolidated all of the TRAC requirements and associated documents into an ‘Enhanced Statement of Requirements’.  

TRAC for teaching

TRAC for teaching or TRAC(T) is a national framework for costing teaching in English higher education institutions (HEIs), based on Transparent Approach to Costing (TRAC) principles.

Support unit briefings

During the year the TRAC Support Unit provide a small number of briefing documents to the TRAC community.  These briefings provide a range of new information, key reminders and information on current developments. 

These briefings can be accessed below:

TRAC Support Unit Briefing (10 May 2012)

Download the TRAC Support Unit Briefing 10 May 2012 as PDF (70 KB)  

TRAC Support Unit Briefing (21 September 2011)

Download the TRAC Support Unit Briefing September 2011 as PDF (54 KB)  

TRAC Support Unit Briefing (27 May 2011)

Download the TRAC Support Unit Briefing May 2011 as PDF (60 KB)  

TRAC Support Unit Briefing (26 January 2011)

Download the TRAC Support Unit Briefing January 2011 as PDF (73 KB)  

Self-help groups

The sector operates a self-help group network across the UK. The groups provide a valuable forum for sharing experiences, debating issues and informing policy development. 

TDG - Key messages about TRAC (April 2010)

These notes are intended to help those who are knowledgeable about TRAC when speaking at conferences, visits, events, committee meetings.

Download the TDG - Key messages about TRAC (April 2010) as PDF (64 KB)

TDG - Policy overview (July 2009)

With the FSSG, the TRAC Development Group has published a report on the financial management information needs of HE, and the role of TRAC.

Policy overview of the financial management information needs of higher education, and the role of TRAC

Download the Policy overview as PDF (422 KB)

Letters and communications

Chair's letter on key messages about TRAC (27 April 2010)

Letter from Professor Stuart Palmer setting out the need for key messages in light of changes to TRAC.

Download the Chair's letter on key messages about TRAC (27 April 2010) as PDF (66 KB)

Key message for TRAC in 2010

Presentation on strategic context and key messages.

Download the Key message for TRAC in 2010 as MS Powerpoint Presentation (354 KB)

Changes to TRAC, and invitation to participate in Management Information Projects (8 March 2010)

Letter from Professor Palmer, Chair of the group, about changes to TRAC and inviting participation in some projects that will demonstrate and improve the utility of TRAC for internal management in institutions.

Download the Changes to TRAC, and invitation to participate in Management Information Projects (8 March 2010) as PDF (145 KB)

Launch letter from the group's Chair (10 July 2009)

Professor Palmer, Chair of the group, has written to the HE sector, setting out this programme of work and the role of the group in more detail.

Download the Launch letter from the group's Chair (10 July 2009) as PDF (41 KB)


Page last updated 9 February 2012

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