Catalogue description Records of the Higher Education Funding Council for England

The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) was set up by the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 and was formally established in April 1993. It took over from the Universities Funding Council responsibility for the funding of universities, and from the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council responsibility for those polytechnics granted university status in 1992 and a number of other colleges of higher education. At the same time, the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales was established as an independent body to carry out similar functions for Welsh higher education institutions.

The functions of the HECFE are: to promote the quality and quantity of learning and research in higher education institutions in a cost effective manner and with regard to national needs; to advise the Secretary of State for Education on the funding needs of higher education; and to distribute the available funds.