1 / 44

Welcome slide

Welcome slide. Funding and student number controls. Toby West-Taylor, Head of Funding. Holiday Inn, Bristol 11 April 2013. Funding and student number controls. We will cover: Context HEFCE’s funding powers and responsibilities The funding agreement between HEFCE and colleges

mio
Download Presentation

Welcome slide

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Welcome slide

  2. Funding and student number controls Toby West-Taylor, Head of Funding Holiday Inn, Bristol 11 April 2013

  3. Funding and student number controls • We will cover: • Context • HEFCE’s funding powers and responsibilities • The funding agreement between HEFCE and colleges • Funding methods for 2013-14 and beyond • The student number control for 2013-14 and beyond • Tuition fees and student support • Data requirements • The annual funding and student number control timetable

  4. The policy context • Spending review 2010 and introduction of new fees policy • White paper: ‘Students at the heart of the system’, June 2011 • Grant Letters from BIS January 2012 and January 2013

  5. HEFCE’s funding approach • Contribute to and support a well-managed transition • Minimise instability in funding • Reflect the priorities of Government • Fund in the student and public interest • Take account of our duty to promote competition • Use ‘supplements’ where fees alone cannot cover costs • Be fair, transparent and accountable • Endeavour to minimise/reduce administrative burden • Bring some funding streams together

  6. HEFCE’s funding powers and responsibilities • HEFCE funds the activity of institutions • We do not fund students, but we count them as a proxy measure for the activity of institutions • For higher education institutions, we can fund teaching, research and related activities • For further education colleges, we can directly fund only prescribed courses of higher education • Further information in HEFCE Circular letter 22/2008, ‘Higher education in further education colleges: HEFCE’s funding powers’ (http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/circlets/2008/cl22_08/).

  7. Validation and franchises from HEIs • See HEIFES12 (HEFCE 2012/24) Annex F paragraph 6 • Under a validation-only arrangement • A HEI provides assurance about the standards of a HE qualification, but the student is, for all purposes, a student of the institution that provides the teaching and with whom they will be registered • Under a franchise arrangement • A student is taught under a sub-contractual arrangement by an institution other than the one they are registered with • The student is treated for all purposes as a student of the registering institution (the franchiser), rather than the teaching institution • HEFCE’s funding powers for franchised provision are those that apply to the franchiser

  8. Terms and conditions of grant • We have a funding agreement with each further education college that we fund • This sets out what we require of colleges as a condition of the grant we pay and the terms under which we provide funding. The main issues for 2013-14 will include: • Requirement to comply with the student number control • Requirement not to charge fees in excess of those permitted in legislation • Requirement to provide data • The arrangements for HEFCE paying, recalculating and adjusting grant • Main public accountability requirements for FECs are through the financial memorandum with the Skills Funding Agency

  9. Recurrent funding for 2013-14 • For colleges that we did not fund in 2012-13 • We are looking to provide equivalent recurrent teaching grants as for other colleges, relating to: • Full-time undergraduate students – those where places have been awarded through the ‘core and margin’ bidding exercise • Starting courses at the college in 2013-14 • Nearly all such students will be subject to the new fee and funding regime • In very rare cases, some may be subject to the old fee and funding regime

  10. Funding for teaching • Currently most teaching funding is allocated according to student numbers in different subject areas (price groups) • Four price groups apply to FECs: • Price group B: laboratory-based science and engineering • Price group C1: art and design; media studies; IT and computer science; archaeology • Price group C2: other intermediate-cost subjects with a laboratory, studio or field work element • Price group D: classroom-based subjects • Other allocations of teaching funding to support other areas where additional costs arise, such as for widening participation

  11. Recurrent teaching grant • Subject-related (‘mainstream’) funding • Funding for old-regime students: • 2011-12 rates of funding x 2013-14 student numbers x scaling factor • Funding for new-regime students: • Uniform funding rates x 2013-14 student numbers x scaling factor • Initial scaling factor is 1.01 (providing a 1 per cent uplift) • All allocations highly provisional

  12. Recurrent teaching grant • Three-stage allocation process • Subject-related funding allocations will be recalculated from first principles as we get more certainty about student data • Initial allocations in March 2013, based on forecast student numbers for 2013-14 • For colleges we did not fund in 2012-13, based on margin places awarded for price groups B and C1 • Amended allocations in March 2014, using 2013-14 student numbers based on HEIFES13 • Final allocations in 2014, using 2013-14 student numbers based on final ILR data for 2013-14 • The scaling factor may be revised at each stage to ensure we remain within the total budget available

  13. ‘Old-regime’ and ‘new-regime’ students • Definitions for HEFCE funding purposes – see HEIFES12 (HEFCE 2012/24) Annex Q • Old regime students include all students in receipt of student support that reflects the entitlements that apply to students who commenced prior to 1 September 2012. Otherwise: • Students continuing studies in the same mode and subject of study as they were before 1 September 2012 • Students transferring, on the recommendation of an academic authority, ceasing one course and starting another in the same mode of study • In both cases above, allowing for a break in study of no more than 12 months plus any normal vacation • Students on an end-on course (topping up to an honours degree from an HND, HNC, DipHE, CertHE, ordinary degree, foundation degree) in the same mode of study and with no break in study

  14. ‘Old-regime’ and ‘new-regime’ students (2) • Definitions for HEFCE funding purposes – see HEIFES12 (HEFCE 2012/24) Annex Q • Colleges that we did not fund in 2012-13 may in very rare cases have old-regime students fundable by HEFCE for 2013-14 if: • They have transferred into the college • They are starting an end-on course where the previous course was studied elsewhere/franchised-in • Such students will attract funding at (higher) old-regime prices • We will not count for funding in 2013-14 students continuing on courses that they started at the college (on a fees-only basis) prior to 2013-14

  15. Other elements of teaching grant • As well as the main subject-related element of teaching grant, we also have a number of other allocations that reflect additional costs • Those that apply in 2013-14 to colleges that we did not fund in 2012-13 are: • Elements of the student opportunity allocation: • Widening access for students from disadvantaged backgrounds • Widening access and improving provision for disabled students • Improving retention for full-time undergraduates • Allocation for London weighting

  16. Funding from 2014-15 • We expect that colleges new to HEFCE grant for 2013-14 will have access to all other elements of teaching grant for 2014-15 • Including funding for part-time students and postgraduates (if applicable) through: • The subject-related (‘mainstream’) funding methods • Student opportunity elements for part-time undergraduates • Support for flexible/alternative modes of provision: • Part-time undergraduates • Accelerated and intensive provision • Years abroad • London weighting • …but excluding for any students continuing at the college on courses that they started prior to 2013-14

  17. Student number controls • Why do we have them? • The control was established, following a request from government, to reduce the risk that our grant might be cut by BIS • This in turn would be so that BIS can meet excess student support costs • We are adjusting grant so that we recover from institutions the excess costs that they have incurred for the public purse • These are the costs of providing fee loans to students and also of providing maintenance grants/loans

  18. Student number controls • Who is covered in 2013-14? • Applies to students starting HEFCE-fundable or employer co-funded full-time (FT) undergraduate (UG) or PGCE study in 2013-14 • Students counted if: • They are HEFCE-fundable FT UGs and have not studied as such at the same institution in the last two years and they are not exempt from the policy • They are HEFCE-fundable students starting a PGCE in 2013-14 • They are there for 2 weeks

  19. Student number controls • Who is exempt in 2013-14? • Applies to HEFCE-fundable FT UG students that would otherwise count against the control and who meet any of the following criteria: • Have entry qualifications equivalent (solely for student number control purposes) to ABB at A-level or higher (see: http://www.hefce.ac.uk/whatwedo/lt/howfund/studentgrades/) • Are topping up to a FT degree, to be completed in no more than 1.3 years, from a FT HND or FT foundation degree achieved in the last two years

  20. Student number controls and old-regime students • Student number controls are not defined in terms of old-regime and new-regime students • Most students counted against the student number control will come under the new fee and funding regime, but some may still count as old-regime, particularly where students transfer into the college

  21. Student number controls • Over- and under-recruitment (1) • There is some limited flexibility for institutions to exceed their student number control allocation without this resulting in a reduction to grant: • Additional flexibility is 3% of total recruitment (including of exempt categories) or 5 students, whichever is greater • Recruitment above the additional flexibility will result in a reduction to grant • Institutions should plan on the basis that the reduction to grant for over-recruitment will be similar to that applying for 2012-13: • £5,000 for those charging fees of up to £6,000. • £1,000 less than the average tuition fee for those charging fees above £6,000.

  22. Student number controls • Over- and under-recruitment (2) • We will not count recruitment that exceeds the flexibility allowed above the student number control allocation in our calculations of funding for high cost subjects • In addition, if institutions are to avoid a repeated reduction in 2014-15 for over-recruitment in 2013-14, they may need to recruit below their SNC allocation (not the flexibility above it) for 2014-15 • Under-recruitment will not in itself lead to a grant reduction, but significant under-recruitment may lead to a reduced limit for future years: • Significant defined as shortfall against the allocation of 5% or 25 students, whichever is greater

  23. Student number controls • Developments for 2014-15 • We expect to consult in May on: • How we might develop the flexibility around student number controls into a more dynamic system • Whether exemptions from the student number control should be extended to certain categories of students with combinations of different qualification types.

  24. Tuition fees and student support • There are a number of regulations (statutory instruments) that govern the charging of tuition fees and the availability of publicly-funded student support • HEFCE’s funding rules reflect these rules where appropriate, but there can be differences. Definitive guidance on these regulations should be sought from the Student Loans Company or BIS • Fees and Awards Regulations • Qualifying Courses and Persons Regulations • Higher Education (Basic Amount)/(Higher Amount) Regulations and the Student Fees (Amounts) Regulations • Student Fees (Exceptions) Regulations • Education (Student Support) Regulations • All available from www.legislation.gov.uk

  25. Data requirements • Colleges are required to provide data as one of the terms and conditions specified in our funding agreement • Data required for funding are: • Higher Education in Further Education: Students (HEIFES) survey • The individualised learner record (ILR) submitted to the Data Service • Other non-funding data requirements: • Student contact details to allow us/our agents to carry out the National Student Survey (NSS) and the Destination of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) survey

  26. The funding round timetable (1)

  27. The funding round timetable (2)

  28. The funding round timetable (3)

  29. How to find out more e-mailhefce@hefce.ac.uk, or recurrentgrant@hefce.ac.uk, or see: http://www.hefce.ac.uk/contact/contactsforinstitutions/ Twitterhttp://twitter.com/hefce web-sitewww.hefce.ac.uk admin-hefce e-mail distribution list, HEFCE update, monthly e-newsletter (http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/signupfore-mailalerts/) Most grant communications/data collection via the HEFCE extranet (https://data.hefce.ac.uk/), group keys required to access different communications/returns are sent to the head of the college

  30. Supplementary technical slides

  31. Prescribed courses of higher education • Courses directly fundable by HEFCE at FECs: • Those leading on successful completion to one of the following: • Higher degree, including PHD, Mphil, MSc, MA, MBA • Postgraduate diploma, PGCE • First degree, including foundation degree, BSc, BA, BEd • HND, HNC, DipHE, DTLLS, CertEd • And the qualification is awarded by a recognised body: • Any UK HE institution with degree awarding powers • For foundation degrees, any FEC with foundation degree awarding powers • For HNDs and HNCs, Pearson Education Ltd (formerly Edexcel) or the Scottish Qualifications Authority

  32. Which students do we count for funding purposes? • Home and EU students who are: • In categories we would expect to be funded by another EU public source (such as on certain courses in nursing, allied health professions, school teacher training) • Not aiming for an equivalent or lower qualification (ELQ) or are aiming for an ELQ but are exempt from the policy • On a course open to any suitably qualified candidate • At least 0.03 full-time equivalent (FTE) (equivalent to approx 1 week full-time study) • On a recognised course of HE • Not continuing on a course that they started at the college before the academic year in which the college became funded by HEFCE.

  33. How do we count students for funding purposes? • For 2013-14 we count years of programme of study for students who: • Are actively pursuing studies towards a recognised HE qualification with the college for at least part of the academic year 1 August 2013 to 31 July 2014 • Have an individual record on the ILR • Are not being returned on any other institutions’ student data returns for the year of programme of study. • Complete their year of programme of study • Standard and non-standard years of programme of study: • Standard years are those entirely contained within a single academic year • Non-standard years are counted for 2013-14 where they start within the 2013-14 academic year

  34. Other elements of teaching grant (1) • 2013-14 Student opportunity funding • Widening access for students from disadvantaged backgrounds • Allocation based on undergraduate student numbers in all years multiplied by an institutional weighting factor and London weighting • Institutional weighting factor calculated as • Undergraduate new entrants weighted by postcode • All unweighted undergraduate new entrants • Postcode weights reflect young HE participation rates (for young full-time students) or average adult HE attainment (for mature full-time and part-time students) in each census ward • For colleges that we funded in 2011-12, postcode data taken from ILR data for 2011-12 and all-year numbers from 2012-13 HEIFES data • For colleges that we did not fund in 2012-13, we have applied an average institutional weighting factor for all FECs and all-year numbers are those awarded through the 2013-14 ‘core and margin’ exercise.

  35. Other elements of teaching grant (2) • 2013-14 Student opportunity funding • Widening access and improving provision for disabled students • Allocation based on undergraduate and postgraduate student numbers in all years multiplied by an institutional weighting factor and London weighting • Institutional weighting factor calculated by ranking institutions according to their proportion of students in receipt of Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA): weights are 1, 2, 3 or 4 for institutions in each quartile, from lowest to highest proportions of DSA students • A minimum allocation applies that varies according to total HE FTEs • For colleges that we funded in 2011-12, DSA data taken from ILR data for 2011-12 and all-year numbers from 2012-13 HEIFES data • For colleges that we did not fund in 2012-13, we have applied an average institutional weighting factor for all FECs and all-year numbers are those awarded through the 2013-14 ‘core and margin’ exercise.

  36. Other elements of teaching grant (3) • 2012-13 Student opportunity funding • Improving retention for full-time undergraduates • Allocation based on undergraduate student numbers in all years multiplied by an institutional weighting factor and London weighting • Institutional weighting factor calculated as • Undergraduate students weighted by entry qualifications and age • All unweighted undergraduates • For colleges that we funded in 2011-12, entry qualification and age data taken from ILR data for 2011-12 and all-year numbers from 2012-13 HEIFES data • For colleges that we did not fund in 2012-13, we have applied an average institutional weighting factor for all FECs and all-year numbers are those awarded through the 2013-14 ‘core and margin’ exercise

  37. Fees and Awards Regulations • SI 2007/779 (as amended) • Used by HEFCE to define Home and EU students • Provide that it shall be lawful to charge higher tuition fees to persons who do not have a specified connection with the UK than to those who do

  38. Regulated tuition fees (1) • Qualifying courses and persons regulations (SI 2007/778, as amended in particular by SI 2008/1640) • Define the population of students on courses subject to regulated tuition fees – that is, those to whom institutions cannot charge a “top-up” fee • Amendments in SI 2008/1640 relate to students aiming for an equivalent or lower qualification not being subject to regulated fees • Student fees (amounts) regulations (SI 2004/1932, as amended, for 2012-13 and beyond by SI 2012/433) • Specify the maximum fees that can be charged to categories of old-regime students who are subject to regulated fees • Limits vary depending on whether or not an OFFA access agreement is in force, and the student’s pattern of study for the year

  39. Regulated tuition fees (2) • Higher Education (Higher Amount) Regulations (SI 2010/3020) and Higher Education (Basic Amount) Regulations (SI 2010/3021) , each amended by SI 2012/433) • Specify the maximum fees that can be charged to categories of new-regime students who are subject to regulated fees • Limits vary depending on whether or not an OFFA access agreement is in force, and the student’s pattern of study for the year • Amendments in SI 2012/433 prescribe new maximum fee limits for part-time students

  40. Regulated tuition fees (3) • Student Fees (Exception) Regulations (SI 1999/2265) • Define certain types of additional charges that institutions can make to students which will not be treated as tuition fees (and therefore do not constitute a top-up fee) • Is the additional charge made for a module which is part of the same "main" course, or is it an entirely separate course? • Is the additional charge covered by the definition of a tuition fee? • Guidance on the regulations was published by the former Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) in 1999 and is available from: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20021124183342/http:/dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport/administrators/dsp_section_18.shtml

  41. Regulated tuition fees (4) • HEFCE (and OFFA) will take action against institutions that charge fees in excess of what is permitted in legislation • This is one of the terms and conditions specified in the funding agreement with each college • HEFCE-funded colleges cannot charge ‘new-regime’ fees to ‘old-regime’ students, including those who transfer into the college from elsewhere or take an end-on course • HEFCE-funded colleges cannot charge fees above the ‘basic amount’ without an access agreement with OFFA • …including in relation to any students that may have started on their course prior to the year in which the college became HEFCE-funded.

  42. Student Support Regulations • Education (Student Support) Regulations (SI 2011/1986), as amended by SI 2012/1653 • Define entitlements to student support from 2012-13, covering fee loans, maintenance grants and loans, other grants such as for disabled students allowance and travel, and support for part-time and “full-time distance learning” study • Highly complex: entitlements depend on year of entry to the course, so the rules cover lots of different arrangements • Amendments in SI 2012/1653 update entitlements for 2013-14 (and a new statutory instrument later this year will provide updates that take effect from 2014-15). • Further guidance on the Student Finance England practitioners web-site, http://www.practitioners.slc.co.uk/

  43. Further information (1) • Publications and documents available from the HEFCE web-site

  44. Further information (2) • Publications and documents available from the HEFCE web-site

More Related