The financial memorandum was the agreement between HEFCE and the institutions it funds that sets out the terms and conditions for payment of HEFCE grants. It was superseded in August 2014 by the Memorandum of Assurance and Accountability.

For HEFCE funding purposes, we define this as the period between 1 August of one year to 31 July of the next.

Agreements with the Office for Fair Access, in which each year universities and colleges set out their tuition fee limits and what they intend to do to ensure fair access for people from under-represented groups, such as financial support for students and outreach work such as summer schools. All universities and colleges which receive HEFCE grants [..]

Access courses are designed to prepare students who do not have standard entry qualifications for higher education courses.

Government money given to universities and colleges via the UK HE funding councils to assist students in financial difficulty with their living costs. Funds may be used to provide bursaries for students who might be deterred from entering higher education. They can also be used to waive tuition fees for part-time students on benefits, or who become [..]

The obligation on universities, colleges and nominated individuals to explain how well they have met their responsibilities, including the proper use of public funds.

The work that institutions must do to demonstrate that they are spending HEFCE funds appropriately. We strive to achieve a fair balance between minimising this burden and ensuring public money is properly accounted for.

Accreditation is any process of approval leading to assurance that a programme meets the standards required by a particular profession, or for statutory or regulatory purposes.

A general term used for the award of credit on the basis of demonstrated learning that has occurred at some time in the past. This learning may have come about as the result of a course, or self-directed study, or as the result of experience either at work or in leisure pursuits.

admin-hefce is an email list to enable HEFCE to distribute information to the institutions it funds. It is not a discussion list. Anyone can join this free service, and it is particularly relevant to people in administrative positions.