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TRAC for senior managers
This page provides information on strategic and policy developments that relate to financial sustainability and TRAC. This material is likely to be more relevant for senior managers at higher education institutions.
The Financial Sustainability Strategy Group (FSSG) oversees developments in this area. The more detailed TRAC requirements can be found under the TRAC Practitioners part of the web-site.
Publications and guidance
Review of time allocation methods
The TRAC Development Group has led a review into time allocation methods across the sector. The report provides further insights and practical suggestions to assist institutions in enhancing their management information in this area in addition to improving the data that informs the TRAC process.
Review of time allocation methods
Download the Review of time allocation methods as PDF (1,514 KB)
HEFCE review of TRAC
The 2011 higher education White Paper asked HEFCE to consult with the sector on a proposed streamlining of the Transparent Approach to Costing (TRAC) reporting process. A small review group is meeting to consider the scope and content of the consultation. Details are available to download below.
HEFCE Review of TRAC: terms of reference and scope
Management Information Projects
In 2010 the FSSG produced a series of guides relating to the Management Information Projects. An overview document was provided for senior management to summarise the content of each guide; the summary document is available to download below.
Achieving Academic and Financial Sustainability: Guidance for Forward-looking Institutions
FSSG - Assessing the sustainability of higher education institutions (June 2011)
The FSSG published a report in June 2011 describing the findings of a UK-wide study to develop indicators of institutional sustainability. UK institutions can use these indicators to manage their futures, and to provide assurance to their funding and regulatory bodies.
The report describes how to approach assessing sustainability, using an intelligent and forward-looking synthesis of data from a variety of sources. It has to be done by each institution in the light of its own circumstances and strategy, and is the responsibility of the governing body, advised by the senior management.
Assessing the sustainability of higher education institutions
Download the Assessing the sustainability of higher education institutions as PDF (598 KB)
Policy overview
In 2009 the FSSG produced a policy overview of the financial management information needs of higher education, and the role of TRAC: The Transparent Approach to Costing. The document is accessible as document CONS-1 within the enhanced Statement of Requirements.
FSSG - The sustainability of learning and teaching in English higher education (December 2008)
The FSSG has published a report on the sustainability of learning and teaching in English higher education (HE). The work was led by a sub-group of the FSSG, chaired by Professor Geoffrey Crossick, Warden, Goldsmiths, University of London.
The report reviews the 'state of health' of learning and teaching. It looks at the cost pressures which impact on the sustainability and fitness-for-purpose of teaching, and the distinctive UK student learning experience. A range of evidence informed the report, including case studies at six English universities.
The report highlights actions for institutions and the HE sector collectively. This includes recommendations for funding the English HE sector if it is to maintain its reputation and international market position against increasing competition.
The sustainability of learning and teaching in English higher education
Download the The sustainability of learning and teaching in English higher education as PDF (468 KB)
Key compliance issues
The Quality Assurance and Validation (QAV) process, operated by the UK Research Councils in 2008 identified a number of key areas where compliance with TRAC requirements could be improved.
The TRAC Support Unit produced an ‘Assurance Reminders’ document for the sector that detailed the more common areas on non-compliance. The document seeks to provide a tool for the sector to appraise whether it has complied with these areas of the TRAC requirements.
Letters and communications
The FSSG periodically communicates key issues and matters to Heads of Institution in the form of a letter. The library of letters issued is provided below:
Annual sustainability assessment by institutional governing bodies
Download the Annual sustainability assessment by institutional governing bodies as PDF (182 KB)
Annual assessment of institutional sustainability - Report on the pilot project
Letter from the Chair of FSSG (December 2012)
Download the Letter from the Chair of FSSG (17 December 2012) as PDF (107 KB)
Letter from the Chair of FSSG (January 2012)
Download the Letter from the Chair of FSSG (January 2012) as PDF (60 KB)
Letter from the Chair of FSSG (26 June 2009)
Download the Letter from the Chair of FSSG (26 June 2009) as PDF (84 KB)
Letter from the Chair of FSSG (12 February 2009)
Download the Letter from the Chair of FSSG (12 February 2009) as PDF (32 KB)
Letter from the chair of the Financial Sustainability Strategy Group (1 December 2008)
Letter from the chair of the TRAC Strategy Group (16 July 2008)
Download the Letter from the chair of the TRAC Strategy Group (16 July 2008) as PDF (23 KB)
Letter from the chair of the TRAC Strategy Group (7 May 2008)
Download the Letter from the chair of the TRAC Strategy Group (7 May 2008) as PDF (40 KB)
Page last updated 21 January 2013
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