This report outlines the findings of a programme of cognitive testing work relating to the National Student Survey and was used alongside the 2016 pilot analysis to help inform the questions for the new survey, as outlined in 'A new National Student Survey for 2017' (HEFCE Circular letter 30/2016). More...

HEFCE was tasked by the Government, most recently in the Higher Education White Paper, to develop a knowledge exchange (KE) framework to support continuous improvement in KE strategy and practice and ensure efficiency and effectiveness in use of public funding. More...

These two reports consider the interdisciplinary research (IDR) landscape in the UK, and seek to complement a quantitative study published in 2015 by HEFCE and the Medical Research Council, 'Review of the UK’s interdisciplinary research'. They also complement work recently undertaken by the British Academy and the Global Research Council. More...

Following recent high-profile failures in the charities sector, the Cabinet Office asked Sir Stuart Etherington, Chief Executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations to chair a cross-party review to examine how fundraising regulation could be strengthened. Its output was a report, ‘Regulating fundraising for the future: Trust in charities, confidence in fundraising regulations’, which was published in September 2015. This report is commonly referred to as the ‘Etherington Review’. More...

HEIs are required to inform HEFCE of any merger or acquisition as a condition of the Memorandum of Assurance and Accountability between HEFCE and providers. For FECs this is a requirement of the funding agreement. HE providers should inform their Regional Consultant of any proposed merger as early as possible, to ensure that we can make them aware of potential implications. More...

This updated monitoring framework sets out how HEFCE will monitor providers’ implementation of the statutory Prevent duty in the higher education sector in England. Relevant higher education bodies will need to follow this framework to demonstrate ‘due regard’ to the duty. More...

This updated edition of ‘Higher Education in England: Key Facts’ provides a statistical overview of key sector trends and developments in 2016. Using the most recent data, it draws together key findings from a range of reports published by HEFCE over the past year to provide a robust, accessible evidence base. More...

This document asks further education and sixth form colleges to complete the annual survey of students on recognised higher education courses. The data will give an early indication of the number of students on recognised higher education courses at further education and sixth form colleges in 2016-17, and, with data supplied to the Skills Funding Agency, will inform our allocation of teaching funds for 2017-18. More...

We commissioned the consultants Pye Tait to investigate employer demand for intermediate technical higher education (HE) – both to understand the nature of provision and to test whether there is latent demand. The study came about because of evidence (particularly from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) showing that the UK has relatively low proportions of this type of provision, yet there is demand in the economy for intermediate-level skills. More...

A report to HEFCE and the Society for Research into Higher Education by the Warwick Institute for Employment Research highlights that non-graduate employment can provide graduates with an opportunity to gain valuable work experience before moving into graduate-level roles. However, the extent to which it provides a stepping-stone is influenced by a range of factors, including the graduate’s background, where and what they studied and when they enter the jobs market. More...