TRAC(T) - a framework for costing teaching

We believe that TRAC(T) enables institutions to acquire better cost information, which should help them make more informed decisions about their portfolios and how they price their learning and teaching programmes. It should also give us a better idea of the resources required to support a sustainable and excellent higher education (HE) sector.

Historical guidance on TRAC (T) is currently held on the JCPSG site.

The TRAC Statement of Requirements contains reference to the current requirements.

TRAC(T) and subject-related costs

The TRAC(T) guidance was developed to allow institutions to collect subject-related costs. We use these data to review the subject price group weightings in our teaching funding method.

We have collected these data annually since 2008 after a period of development, guidance and piloting between 2006 and 2007.

We expect that cost data will continue to play an important role under any new arrangements for funding teaching planned by the Government in light of the 2010 review of public spending.

Background

We introduced the national framework for costing teaching in 2005, as part of the 2005 review of the teaching funding method (HEFCE 2005/41). Over 80 per cent of institutions supported the introduction of the framework.

We convened a TRAC(T) steering group to oversee the process, and issued a series of bulletins (see below) to keep the sector informed of its development. The TRAC(T) steering group also oversaw the development of a course costing advice note. Oversight of TRAC(T) is now with the TRAC Development Group.

Between 2006 and 2008 we worked closely with the higher education sector to develop the framework. Following a further consultation on the teaching funding method in 2007, we have benchmarked subject cost data submitted by institutions since 2008.

We have developed guidance for the costing framework for teaching. This enables higher education institutions (HEIs) to report consistent data on the full costs of their HEFCE-fundable teaching in the HESA academic cost centres where they have provision.

All HEIs in England and Northern Ireland are required to submit TRAC(T) data for 2009-10 by 28 February 2011.

This guidance includes an overview for senior managers and stakeholders. An advice note for HEIs considering whether to undertake course costing and the range of approaches they could use is also available.

• TRAC(T) guidance
• Advice note

TRAC(T) bulletin and presentations

At the time of developing the costing framework for teaching, HEFCE and JM Consulting issued a series of bulletins and ran several events to keep the sector informed. Relevant documents are available below.

November 2008 Update

We issued a TRAC(T) update in November 2008. The update did not change the guidance issued in September 2006 but provided clarification in some areas following the 2008 submissions.

A sample of the TRAC(T) template for 2011 reporting is available on the TRAC Guidance web pages along with a list of peer groups that will be used for the benchmarking of 2009-10 data.