A research and development project, funded by HEFCE, and carried out by NIACE in partnership with the University of Warwick, City College Manchester and Sheffield Hallam University.

The project reviewed the provision of HE in FECs from the perspective of College staff, established how the first round of the HEFCE development funding had been spent within colleges, and identified issues for further discussion – including scholarly activity, quality matters, staff terms and conditions, and the student experience.

Preliminary research identified numerous examples of good practice as well as specific requests for guidance.  As the project developed, national and regional advisory and consultative events were held with senior managers and front line staff responsible for the provision and delivery of HE programmes in FECs.  These discussions involved over 500 people from a wide range of institutions including HEIs.  HEFCE regional consultants and representatives of the Learning and Teaching Support Network (LTSN) also contributed helpfully at this stage.  Two publications were subsequently produced and published by HEFCE (2003/15 and 2003/16) - one aimed at senior managers concerned policy and strategy and the second publication, aimed at tutors and lecturers, was concerned with practice and implementation.

Research was carried out by questionnaire, and a series of specific case studies after visits to institutions.  National and regional consultation meetings were held.  Key findings mentioned include the acknowledgement that the funding was useful in developing QA systems.  Tensions between the two sectors were referred to by colleges with experience of direct and indirect funding, and the difference in terms and conditions for staff in the two sectors.  However, collaboration emerged as a key theme.

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