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Links: a gateway to useful links and interesting web sites

We hope you find these links useful. If you have any ideas on further links to add or would like your page added to our list, please contact us at aua@manchester.ac.uk

Government Departments and Funding Councils
International Associations
I.T. in Higher Education
Other HE Relevant Organisations
Newspapers
Other Useful Links
Professional development study opportunities for HE managers and administrators
Reports and papers on Higher Education
Some Significant Past Reports on Higher Education
Student Organisations and Useful Sources of Information for Students
Trades Unions

Government Departments and Funding Councils

Admissions to Higher Education Review
DENI - Department of Education for Northern Ireland
Department for Education and Skills
FEDA - Further Education Development Agency
HEFCW - Higher Education Funding Council for Wales
HEFCE - Higher Education Funding Council for England
HEA - Irish Higher Education Authority
Leadership Foundation
SHEFC - Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (provides links to the web pages of Scottish higher education institutions and other related sites of interest)
UK Joint Research Councils
OFFA - The Office for Fair Access

Other organisations:
The Office for the Independent Adjudicator in Higher Education
Quality Assurance Agency

International Associations

AACRAO - American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers The mission of the Association is to provide leadership in policy initiation, interpretation, and implementation in the global educational community. This is accomplished through the identification and promotion of standards and best practices in enrolment management, information technology, instructional management, and student services.

AAUA - American Association of University Administrators The AAUA develops and advances the standards for the profession of higher education administration in the USA.

ACU - Association of Commonwealth Universities A global interchange of people, knowledge and skills.

ACUHO-I Association of College and University Housing Officers-International ACUHO-I promotes quality residential living experiences at colleges, universities, and other post secondary institutions worldwide by providing programs, services, research, and professional development experiences for its members.

Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers (APPA) APPA is an international association dedicated to maintaining, protecting, and promoting the quality of educational facilities.

Association for Institutional Research (AIR) AIR is dedicated to professional growth of all who participate in decision making related to higher education in the US via management research, policy analysis and planning.

ATEM - Association for Tertiary Education Management (Australia and New Zealand) ATEM is the professional association for administrators and managers working in tertiary education in Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, Papua New Guinea and Asia.

CAUBO - Canadian Association of University Business Officers The mission of the Canadian Association of University Business Officers is to promote the professional and effective management of the administrative, financial and business affairs of higher education.

European Association of Institutional Research EAIR brings together researchers, policy makers and administrators in the field of higher education from all over the world. It enables an exchange and cross-fertilisation of theory and practice.

EUCEN - European Universities Continuing Education Network EUCEN aims to promote high quality university continuing education throughout Europe; to influence the development of university continuing education policy and policy making at university, regional, national and European level ; to encourage best practice in university continuing education actions and to facilitate the exchange of people, ideas and innovation among its members

HUMANE - Heads of University Management and Administration in Europe HUMANE groups all heads of university administration in Europe in an informal network devoted to professional development and best practice.

International Association of Universities (IAU) The IAU is a UNESCO-affiliated organisation which encourages links between universities and colleges throughout the world.

International Meeting of University Administrators (IMUA)The International Meeting of University Administrators provides senior administrators with a world forum for the discussion of key strategic issues relating to the management and administration of higher education.

Japanese Association of Private Colleges and Universities (JAPCU)

NACUBO - National Association of College and University Business Officers NACUBO represents chief administrative and financial officers at colleges and universities across the US. Its mission is to promote sound management and financial practices at colleges and universities.

NASPA, Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education NASPA, Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education is the leading US association for college and university student affairs administrators. It provides professional development opportunities and information on current issues affecting campus policies and students' needs.

The Nordic Association of University Administrators (NAUA) The aim of the Nordic Association of University Administrators is to enhance contacts and to establish networks between the Nordic universities at all administrative levels.

Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) The Society for College and University Planning (SCUP), is focused on the promotion, advancement, and application of effective planning in higher education.

IT in higher education

JISC - Joint Information Systems Committee

JUGA - Janet User Group for Administrators Directory for UK Higher Education Administrators. These pages have been designed to provide links of use to administrators in Higher Education.

Mailbase

Netskills

NISS Information Gateway

UCISA - Universities and Colleges Information Systems Association

Other HE Relevant Organisations

Academic Registrars' Council (ARC) Forum for senior managers responsible for the administration of student matters at UK HE institutions.

Arts and Humanities Research Board (AHRB) The AHRB provides funding and support in three programmes: advanced research; postgraduate research and training; and special funding for museums, galleries and collections.

Association of Colleges The AoC is the national representative body for colleges of further education, including sixth form colleges, in England and Wales.

Association for Managers In Students' Unions The body that represents the managers working in most students' unions in the UK.

Association for Student Residential Accommodation The Association serves as a forum in which members can discuss matters relevant to the provision, quality and effective management of student housing.

Association for University and College Counselling (AUCC) Professional organisation for counsellors in higher and further education.

Association for University Research and Industry Links (AURIL) A network of professionals dedicated to the development of partnerships between higher education and industry to support innovation and competitiveness

Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) Commonwealth institutions come together voluntarily under the umbrella of the ACU to build on their historical links, shared traditions and common purposes in order to further international understanding and collaboration.

Association of European Universities Public Relations and Information Officers (see EUPRIO)

Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS) AGCAS is the professional association of careers services in Higher Education, , representing all universities and most of the major degree-awarding colleges in the UK and Ireland.

Association of Graduate Careers Services in Ireland (AGCSI) The Graduate Careers Ireland website which aims to help Irish employers recruit graduates, as well as giving information to students, graduates, academics and careers services.

Association of Heads of University Administration (AHUA) Contact :Jeremy Hoad, Executive Officer

Association of International Student Advisers (AISA) AISA is a networking and support group for individual advisers who work for organisations that are members of UKCOSA

Association of Managers of Student Services in HE (AMOSSHE) AMOSSHE brings together those who have responsibility for the management or co-ordination of a range of learner support and guidance services for students.

Association of UK Higher Education European Officers (HEURO) Forum for UK professionals involved in European issues in HE.

Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO) Membership of AUCSO is aimed at those responsible for security and related services within UK Universities or Colleges & Institutions of Higher Education.

Association of University Directors of Estates (AUDE) Professional organisation for directors of estates, or similar, in UK HE institutions

Association of University Legal Practitioners Forum for barristers and solicitors involved in in-house legal services for HE institutions Contact Carolyn Pike, Secretary to Assoc of University Legal Practitioners

Association of University Purchasing Officers (AUPO) AUPO was founded to provide a forum for these people who work full-time in procurement to discuss strategic purchasing issues.

Association of University Teachers (AUT) The Association of University Teachers is a trade union and professional association representing academic and related staff in the universities, higher education colleges, and research institutions of the United Kingdom.

BECTA - British Educational Communications and Technology Agency BECTA is the Government's lead agency on the use of ICT in education.

British Council The British Council's provides a range of services in the areas of education and training. The Education Counselling Service (ECS) works with the British Council's overseas network and British education and training providers to increase the UK's share of the international education and training market

British Universities Accommodation Consortium Limited (BUAC) BUAC has merged with Connect Venues to form VENUEMASTERS

British Universities Film and Video Council (BUFVC) BUFVC promotes moving images for teaching and research in higher and further education.

British Universities Finance Directors Group BUFDG is the representative body for finance staff in the higher education sector in the United Kingdom.

British Universities International Liaison Association (BUILA) Organisation for those operating within international student recruitment. Contact: Mr Pat Stevens, BUILA Secretary

British Universities Transatlantic Exchange Association (BUTEX) BUTEX promotes mobility between universities and colleges in the United Kingdom and North America.

Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals was formed in April 2002 following the unification of the Institute of Information Scientists and the Library Association.

Committee of Scottish Higher Education Principles (COSHEP) Association for heads of HE institutions in Scotland.

Committee of University Chairmen (CUC) The Committee provides a forum for discussion for university chairmen. Its primary purpose is to enable chairmen to contribute their distinctive experience, knowledge and perspective as laymen to the consideration of those matters which concern all universities.

Conference of University Business Officers (CUBO) CUBO's main role is to provide a professional forum to facilitate the exchange of information on matters of common concern; promote professional standards, enhance skills and publicise examples of good practice; produce performance indicators and consult with other similar organisations regarding university hospitality and commercial services. Contact Derek Phillips , Director of Domestic Services, University of Exeter

Council for Advancement and Support of Education (Europe) (CASE) CASE is the professional organization for advancement professionals at all levels who work in alumni relations, communications, and development.

Council of Higher Education Internal Auditors (CHEIA) CHEIA exists to promote and develop the role and status of internal audit in higher education.

Council of Validating Universities (CVU) The Council of Validating Universities is the only body in the UK specialising exclusively on good practice and standards for that aspect of higher education which concerns the validation of programmes of study by universities and colleges ('awarding institutions') or delivery by other colleges or organisations ('partner institutions').

Equality Challenge Unit The ECU website is designed to be an accessible, simple and useful source of information on the ECU, and a comprehensive resource for anyone researching equal opportunities as they apply to HE.

Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC) The Association is leading the way in working towards more environmental and sustainable management and curriculum activities within this sector.

EUPRIO (Association of European Universities Public Relations and Information Officers) EUPRIO is the network for professionals in public relations and information services in European higher education.

Forum for the Advancement of Continuing Education (FACE) FACE, established in 1993, is a network for professionals involved with Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning. The forum facilitates the exchange and dissemination of information, and aims to support and encourage a socially inclusive frameworks for adult education.

Further Education Development Agency (FEDA) is now the Learning and Skills Development Agency (LSDA).

Higher Education Careers Services Unit (CSU) CSU's mission is to be "the leading organisation in the UK for the development, dissemination and promotion of high quality careers guidance, information and recruitment services for higher education".

Higher Education Equal Opportunities Network (HEEON) HEEON promotes equal opportunities in all areas of higher education.

Higher Education External Relations Association (HEERA)

Higher Education Liaison Officers' Association (HELOA) Contact Carol Pengelly, General Secretary or: HELOA@essex.ac.uk

HESA - Higher Education Statistics Agency HESA is the central source for higher education statistics.

HEURO - The Association of UK Higher Education European Officers HEURO aims to provide a platform for all European Officers in Higher Education.

Institute for Learning and Teaching ILT is the professional body for all who teach and support learning in higher education in the UK.

Leadership Foundation in Higher Education Draws on the best existing programmes and commission new material in order to offer world-class development in leadership governance and management to current and future leaders within higher education institutions.

Learning and Skills Development Agency (LSDA) The Learning and Skills Development Agency is a strategic national resource for the development of policy and practice in post-16 education and training. The Agency was previously known as the Further Education Development Agency (FEDA).

National Association of Student Employment Staff NASES is the national representative body for practitioners from all styles of student employment service, including those in students' unions, careers services and personnel offices.

National Postgraduate Committee Representative body for postgraduates in the UK, made up of student representatives from educational institutions with postgraduate students. Aims to promote the interests of postgraduates studying in the UK, while remaining politically non-aligned.

Open and Distance Learning Quality Council The Council helps to enhance quality in education and training, and to protect the interests of learners, through the accreditation of open and distance learning providers.

Professional Associations Research Network (PARN) PARN is a non-political membership organisation set up to undertake research and provide networking opportunities for professional associations and their regulatory bodies. It has over 100 members in Great Britain and Ireland

Public Management and Policy Association The Public Management and Policy Association is a membership organisation that brings together managers and policy-makers from different disciplines across the public services and provides a forum in which they can discuss public policy and management issues that straddle programmes and sectors and affect all managers working in the public services.

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) brings together the work of the National Council for Vocational Qualifications (NCVQ) and the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority (SCAA) with additional powers and duties.

QAA - Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education The Agency's mission is to promote public confidence that quality of provision and standards of awards in higher education are being safeguarded and enhanced.

ARMA - Association of Research Managers & Administrators ARMA is the professional association for research managers and administrators in the UK with members in universities, funding bodies, the NHS and independent research organisations.

Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities Skill promotes opportunities for young people and adults with any kind of disability in post-16 education, training and employment across the UK.

Society for Research into Higher Education (SRHE) SRHE exists to stimulate and co-ordinate research into all aspects of higher education.

SEDA - Staff and Educational Development Association SEDA is the professional association for staff and educational developers in the UK, promoting innovation and good practice in higher education.

The Standing Conference for Heads of Media Services (SCHOMS) SCHoMS is the professional body for heads of services working within UK Higher Education.

Standing Conference of National and University Libraries SCONUL SCONUL works to improve the quality and extend the influence of library services in higher education, and the national libraries of the UK and Ireland.

SCOP - Standing Conference of Principals SCOP is the representative body for Higher Education Colleges in England and Northern Ireleand.

Student Records Officers' Conference (SROC) SROC is an annual conference of Student Record's Officers from Higher Education Institutions around the United Kingdom. It also organises seminars and workshops on an ad hoc basis throughout the period between the annual conferences.

Teacher Training Agency The Teacher Training Agency is an executive Non-Departmental Public Body established by the Education Act 1994. Its purpose is to raise standards in schools by attracting able and committed people to teaching and by improving the quality of teacher training.

TechDIS TechDis is a (JISC) funded service supporting the further and higher education community in all aspects of technology and disabilities and/or learning difficulties.

UK Council for Graduate Education UKCGE champion the interests of graduate education in the United Kingdom's HEIs which make up its membership.

UKCOSA: The Council for International Education UKCOSA: The Council for International Education is an independent, not-for-profit organisation committed to promoting educational mobility and providing support to international students and the professionals who work with them.

Universities Association for Continuing Education (UACE) UACE represents the interests of the continuing education/lifelong learning community within HE.

UCAS - Universities and Colleges Admissions Service UCAS is the admissions service for UK HE

Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) UCEA is the employers' association for subscribing universities and other higher education institutions in the United Kingdom. UCEA provides a framework within which representatives of institutions can discuss salaries, conditions of service, employee relations and all matters connected with the employment of staff and employees.

UCISA - Universities and Colleges Information Systems Association UCISA represents the whole of higher education in the provision and development of academic, management and administrative information systems.

Universities and Colleges Education Law Network (UCELNET) UCELNET is a national network of staff whose responsibility extends to legal matters, in particular but not exclusively in the student and staff areas.

Universities Personnel Association (UPA)

Universities' Safety Association (USA) Professional organisation for university safety officers.

The University Caterers' Organisation (TUCO) Affiliation of in-house university caterers.

Universities Scotland Universities Scotland is the autonomous voice of the higher education sector in Scotland.

Universities UK UUK members include all the UK university institutions and some colleges of higher education

Venumasters Venumasters is a consortium of academic venues.

Women in Higher Education Register The Women in Higher Education Register aims to advance women in Higher Education by the collection, analysis and dissemination of information about women in HE.

Newspapers

The Guardian

Professional development study opportunities for university managers and administrators

AUA Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Practice (Higher Education Management and Administration) Developed and delivered by AUA’s team of professional higher education administrators and managers, the PG Cert has been validated through a process of peer review, by the Open University, as being of an appropriate standard and quality to lead to an Open University Validated Award. This highly flexible programme will appeal to professional managers and administrators from right across the spectrum of UK higher education, who wish to extend their understanding of the sector and develop their professional competencies.
MBA in Higher Education Management at the Institute of Education, University of London. Holders of the AUA Postgraduate Certificate who wish to progress to this programme may be eligible for exemptions. Visit the Institution of Education for further details.
Diploma or MSc in Management (Higher Education Administration) Loughborough University. Holders of the AUA Postgraduate Certificate who wish to progress to Diploma and Masters may be eligible for exemptions to this programme. Visit Loughborough University for further details.
Foundation degree in HE/FE Management and Administration Aston Business School. This part-time programme has been developed to offer those working in the sector who do not have traditional qualifications an opportunity to develop academic and practical skills that lead to a recognised foundation degree qualification. Visit Aston University Business School for further details or email fdcenquiries@aston.ac.uk

Reports and papers on Higher Education

Tomlinson Report

Schwartz Report

Higher Education Act (2004)

Lambert Review

Euro RSCG Riley Briefing Paper Series - interprets hot topics and government policy and analyses key implications for senior managers in the education sector; each Briefing Paper provides an insight into a key issue in the HE sector.

DEARING - Full Report from the Committee

The AUA response to the Dearing Report

Science & Technology Select Committee report on the RAE (23 September 2004)

Some Significant Past Reports on Higher Education

Brief history of UK higher education

The Robbins Report set the tone for the expansion of higher education from the 1960's, outlining the principle that higher education should be available for all who would be able to benefit from it; leading to the creation of the 1960's green field universities and the granting of university status to several Colleges of Advanced Technology; and leading to the establishment of the mandatory grant for first-degree students. Reference: Committee on Higher Education. Higher education: report of the Committee appointed by the prime-Minister under the chairmanship of Lord Robbins, 1961-63, London, HMSO, 1963 (Cmnd. 2154, and five appendices).

The Jarratt Report, a response to the growing need for universities to provide evidence of efficiency and accountability for public funds, impacted widely on the management of universities after its report. Reference: Steering Committee for Efficiency Studies in Universities (Chairman Sir Alex Jarratt). Report. London CVCP, 1985.

The Reynolds' Report, in the pre-1992 university sector, laid down guidelines on good practice relating to quality assurance in universities. Reference: Academic Standards Group. Academic standards in universities; universities' methods and procedures for maintaining and monitoring academic standards in the context of their courses and in the quality of their teaching. London, CVCP, 1986.

The Follett Report reviewed library provision across the higher education section. Reference: Joint Funding Councils' Libraries Review Group. Report. Bristol, 1993.

The Robertson Report recommended more widespread adoption of modularity and credit transfer schemes. Reference: Higher Education Quality Council. Choosing to change: extending access, choice and mobility in higher education: the report of the HEQC CAT development project. London, HEQC, 1994

The Flowers' Report considered questions of semesterisation and the possibility of a three semester academic year. Reference: Committee of Enquiry into the Organisation of the Academic Year. The review of the academic year: a report. Bristol, HEFCE,1993.

Two Acts of Parliament with significance for higher education were the 1988 Education Reform Act, which abolished the University Grants Committee and created the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council and the Universities Funding Council (now the Higher Education Funding Councils); and the 1992 Further and Higher Education Act which created the higher education funding councils, and granted university status to the polytechnics. References: Education Reform Act, London, HMSO, 1988; Further and Higher Education Act, 1992. London, HMSO, 1992.

Student Organisations and Useful Sources of Information for Students

Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS)

Career in HE Factsheet

Graduate Careers Information Higher Education Student Support This website is for students living in England and Wales who want to know what financial help is available to them as higher education students. It is also for the administrators of Higher Education Student Support arrangements for English and Welsh students.

HOST HOST brings together international students at universities and colleges in the UK with friendly British residents who welcome students to their homes for a short visit.

NUS - National Union of Students Has information on all student issues and links to all student issues as well as links to SU online magazines and other education sites.

PUSH Provides a comprehensive set of links to higher education sites as well as advice and information for current and prospective students.

Student Loans Company

Students Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS)

StudentZone StudentZone is one of the services provided by NISS (www.niss.ac.uk) and is a non-profit site providing information specifically for UK students in higher education, covering the following areas: academic, careers, news, travel, legal & finance, health, sport, life, entertainment and bodies.

Trades Unions

AUT - Association of University Teachers AUT is a trade union and professional association representing all types of professional staff across the UK higher education sectors, primarily in the 'old' higher education sector.

MSF - Manufacturing Science Finance MSF is the union for skilled and professional people, including IT professionals, managers, the voluntary sector and the clergy, as well as more traditional union workplaces like the NHS, manufacturing and craftspeople.

NATFE - the University and College Lecturers' Union NATFHE is the largest trade union and professional association for lecturers, trainers, researchers and managers working in further and higher education throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

UNISON - the Public Service Union Unison is Britain's biggest union. It represents people working in the public services, and for private contractors providing public services and the essential utilities.