Association of Colleges

Higher Education in Further Education Colleges

FE Colleges have historically engaged the non-traditional learner to take up HE courses and Colleges are now a key component in achieving the government target of involving 50% of the 18 - 30 age group in HE by 2010. In fact, approximately 285 FE Colleges in 2005/ 2006 delivered HE at their institution. 

Colleges have a role in delivering flexible HE programmes for learners who are, for instance, local to the College and who may not normally opt for the HE route. Colleges offer Foundation Degrees, as well as Honours Degrees validated by their University partners. Much of their provision is designed and delivered in partnership with employers, and offers a vocational route into HE.

In supporting HE in FE Colleges,  AoC aims to confirm and develop the role of Colleges in progressing learners to, and delivering, Higher Education. 

Representing the sector

The Directorate influences policy and developments through representing AoC and the sector on a number of advisory and working groups including:

• Action on Access Forum
• HEFCE Board
• Foundation Degree Forward Board
• UCAS Board
• HEFCE Widening Participation Group
• QAA FEC Liaison Group and Forum

Consulting the sector

The Directorate ensures that members take a proactive part in consulting the sector in various ways, through Briefings, telephone surveys, and focus groups, and through regular meetings of AoC convened groups. This enables the Association to respond in an informed way to AoC Policy, services and lobbying activity .  

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AoC HE in FE Group - Terms of Reference, Minutes and Meeting dates, Group Membership:

Terms of Reference for this group are below.  

  AoC HE in FE Group Terms of Reference - updated October 2009

The Terms of Reference are in the process of being reviewed

Minutes from the meeting held on 23 June 2009:

  HE in FE Group Minutes 23_06_09.

Minutes from the meeting held on 21 October 2009:

  AoC HE in FE Group\Minutes, AoC HE in FE Group meeting, 21_10_09  

Minutes from the meeting held in February 2010:

  Minutes of AoC HE in FE Portfolio Group February 2010

Group Members:

Cotterill, Ann  - Warwickshire College
Davies, Christine - Farnborough College of Technology
Emery, Robert - Tresham Institute of HE and FE
Giddings, Brian - City of Westminster College
Heatly, Richard - Hereford College of Art
Hymans, Peter - Doncaster College
Morecroft, Chris - Worcester College of Technology
Morris, John - Havering College of FE and HE
Mutton, Jim - Loughborough College
Rowe, John - Newcastle College
Stephenson, Dave - Cornwall College
Sutton, Michelle - Bradford College
Turner, Clive - City College of Norwich
Widdowson, John - New College Durham
Smith, Steve - Leeds College of Arts and Design

King, Madeleine -  Association of Colleges
Mercer, Joy  - Association of Colleges

Observers  

Hayday, Susan - Foundation Degree Forward
Parry, Gareth - University of Sheffield
Welch, Ian  - Assistant Director, QAA

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The AoC HE Policy Position Paper has been published and can be downloaded from the Policy Papers area of this website

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Useful Links

The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA)

The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)

Foundation Degree Forward (fdf)

Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS)

Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)

Higher Education Academy (HEA)

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)

UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES)

Universities UK (UUK)

Action on Access

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Should you have any questions relating to HE in FE issues please contact Maldwyn Buckland,Higher Education Policy Manager by  email or by phoning 020 7034 9900.