Scottish Higher Education Funding Council
Introduction
The Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) was established in 1992 under the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act to provide financial support for teaching, research and associated activities in Scottish higher education institutions.
The mission of the Council is to promote the quality and encourage the expansion of teaching and research in Scottish higher education institutions through the efficient and effective use of public funds allocated by the Secretary of State for Scotland to support these activities. The Council's main functions are to distribute funds to support teaching and research in higher education institutions; to ensure that provision is made for assessment of the quality of higher education supported by the Council; and to provide the Secretary of State for Scotland with information and advice relating to all aspects of higher education in Scotland, including the financial needs of the sector.
Members of the Council are appointed by the Secretary of State for Scotland and have a collective responsibility for the proper conduct of the Council's affairs. There are currently fifteen Council members, including the Chairman and Chief Executive. Members include senior managers and academics within higher education institutions, as well as others who have backgrounds in industry, commerce or the public sector.
The Council is supported by an Executive.
| | Number of Staff | | | Expenditure (£m)
Funds for Distribution (Running Costs) |
| 1995/96 | 68 | | 1995/96 | 545 |
| 1996/97 | 66 | | 1996/97 | 539 |
| 1997/98 | 66 | | 1997/98 | 549 |
Copies of the Councils Annual Report and Corporate Plan are available free of charge from the Public Relations & Information Services Branch at the address given above. Further information, including details of other publications, is available on the Council's web site at http://www.shefc.ac.uk/shefc/welcome.htm
Achievements in 1996/97
The Councils achievements are reviewed each year in its Annual Report. Key achievements in 199697 are summarised below.
The Council distributed over £500m for teaching and research through its formula funding methods.
The Council undertook the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) together with the other UK funding bodies. It will use the results of the RAE to allocate future funding for research in accordance with the principle of selectivity.
The Research Development Grant was introduced to help institutions respond to the longer term social and economic needs as identified by exercises such as the Technology Foresight Programme.
The Council implemented the fifth year of its cycle of quality assessment visits.
The Council completed a review of the operation of the current system of Quality Assessment, and considered the future arrangements for quality assurance in Scottish higher education institutions.
The Strategic Change Initiative was introduced to promote strategic change in the higher education sector.
A revised Financial Memorandum between the Council and institutions was introduced in August 1996.
Plans for 1997/98
Key objectives for 199798 include:
- To promote high quality and effectiveness in teaching to meet the aspirations of students of all types and from all backgrounds, and to meet the needs of society for graduates with skills and training relevant to the modern economy.
- The provision of a research capacity which enables research of the highest standards, with relevance to economic development and social needs.
- An assurance of value for money in the use of the funds provided by Government for teaching and learning and the maintenance of the research base in Scottish higher education institutions.
- To encourage and assist institutions to make and to carry out plans which are based on sound strategic analysis, and which recognise the need for strategic adaptation and change.
- To make a considered and effective response to the report of the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education.
Key Performance Targets
|
| 1994/95
| 1995/96
| 1996/97
| 1997/98
|
Key Measure
|
Set
|
Achieved
|
Set
|
Achieved
|
Set
|
Forecast
|
Set
|
| 1. Distribute over 500 million in public funding annually to Scottish higher education institutions and ensure a proper level of accountability for its use. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funds for distribution (million)
|
|
511
|
|
545
|
|
539
|
549
|
Maintain numbers of students in the higher education sector within the level consistent with the Government's policy of consolidation.
|
*
|
*
|
118,200
|
116,000
|
118,000
|
117,500
|
118,700
|
| 3. Complete a cycle of assessments of the quality of teaching and learning on offer in Scottish higher education institutions. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subject areas to be assessed
|
9
|
9
|
11
|
11
|
9
|
-
|
11
|
* Figures not directly comparable
|
| 
