key agencies and organisations

This list is in alphabetical order.

AimHigher

Aimhigher is a national programme aiming to widen participation in higher education by raising the awareness, aspirations and attainment of young people from under-represented groups.  The programme particularly focuses on young people from disadvantaged social and economic backgrounds, some minority ethnic groups and people with disabilities.
www.aimhigher.ac.uk

Association of Colleges (AoC)

The AoC was established in 1996 to promote the interests of further education colleges in England and Wales.  Their website holds information, guidance and advice on all aspects of the sector – including the provision of higher education in further education colleges.
www.aoc.co.uk

Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVE)

The CoVE programme and National Skills Academys (NSAs) are part of the Learning and Skills Council and aim to improve and develop skills for employers. These programmes are focused on delivering vocational skills that meet particular sector and industry needs through the development and delivery of high quality, specialist training across a range of sectors.

The CoVE Network of around 400 approved centres was completed in January 2006, but the programme continues to evolve to meet changing circumstances and priorities in the world of vocational training.
http://cove.lsc.gov.uk

Creative & Cultural Skills

Creative & Cultural Skills (CCS) is the Sector Skills Council for advertising, crafts, cultural heritage, design, music, performing, literary and visual arts. They are an “industry-led, campaigning organisation operating across the United Kingdom” aiming “to secure world beating creative enterprise and more diverse cultural industries.” For more information on the work of CCS go to their website at:
www.ccskills.org.uk

Edexcel

Edexcel provides a range of vocational and academic further and higher education courses.  The edexcel website provides information for students, staff, colleges, universities and employers involved with edexcel qualifications.
www.edexcel.org.uk

Foundation Degree Forward (fdf)

Foundation Degree Forward support the development, delivery and quality assurance of Foundation Degrees in further and higher education colleges.  Their website provides guidance for those developing and supporting Foundation Degrees in the form of publications, case studies, details of events and links to other useful sites.
www.fdf.ac.uk

GuildHE
GuildHE is the new name for SCOP (the Standing Conference of Principals Ltd).

"SCOP was established in 1978 as the representative organisation for the colleges of higher education. Over the last few years, our membership has diversified and we now speak for HE colleges, specialist institutions and some universities."
www.guildhe.ac.uk

Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)

HEFCE distributes funds to Universities and Colleges in England.  All colleges delivering higher education receive HEFCE funds.  Some receive them directly; others receive money indirectly through a franchise agreement with a higher education institution.  The website contains a section relating specifically to HE in FE. http://www.hefce.ac.uk/learning/heinfe/
www.hefce.ac.uk

Higher Education Academy

The Higher Education Academy was established in 2003 to support learning and teaching at Higher Education level in Universities and Colleges.  The Academy also advises on policies and practices that impact on the student learning experience. 
www.heacademy.ac.uk

Learning and Skills Council (LSC)

The Learning and Skills Council is responsible for funding and planning vocational training in England.  Their aim is “to improve the skills of England's young people and adults to make sure we have a workforce that is of world-class standards”.
www.lsc.gov.uk

Lifelong Learning Networks 

The Lifelong Learning Networks are an initiative set up support vocational progression into and through Higher Education.  The Networks comprise partnerships between further and higher education institutions on a generally regional basis.  There is, however, one national network dedicated to the Arts (NALN).
www.lifelonglearningnetworks.org.uk

Making Practice Based Learning Work

Aims to enhance the quality of student experiences whilst on practice, i.e. work-based placements. A key part is a resource section containing materials that can be used by anyone involved in many aspects of practice based student supervision, including preparation and support.
www.practicebasedlearning.org/home.htm

Quality Assurance Agency (QAA)

The QAA is an independent body, established in 1997, to “safeguard the public interest in sound standards of higher education qualifications and to inform and encourage continuous improvement in the management of the quality of higher education.”
www.qaa.ac.uk

Sector Skills Development Agency

The Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA) is responsible for funding, supporting and monitoring the network of Sector Skills Councils (SSCs).  See below for the 3 SSCs related to art, design, media. The SSDA is a non-departmental public body with its main base in South Yorkshire and representatives across the UK. For more information on the work of SSDA go to their website at:
http://www.ssda.org.uk

Skillfast-UK

Skillfast-UK is the Sector Skills Council for apparel, footwear, textiles and related businesses. They “exist to help employers compete in a global market, by ensuring access to a skilled workforce…” For more information on the work of Skillfast-UK go to their website at:
www.skillfast-uk.org

Skillset

Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries (broadcast, film, video, interactive media and photo imaging). They aim “to make sure that the UK audio visual industries have the right people, with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time, so that our industries remain competitive.” For more information on the work of Skillset go to their website at:
www.skillset.org

Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)

UCAS is the central organisation that processes applications for full-time undergraduate courses at UK universities and colleges.
www.ucas.com

University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC)

UVAC is a not-for-profit organisation set up by the higher and further education sector in 1999 to support and champion higher vocational learning.
www.uvac.ac.uk