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Frequently asked questions

Here are the answers to some common questions, in addition to links to where you will find more information.

Most of our funding is allocated by formula.

We fund the 12 higher education institutions in Wales, including the Open University in Wales.

The Welsh Assembly Government is the main funder of further education colleges, although HEFCW does fund most higher education courses at FE colleges.

HEFCW funds higher education institutions in Wales, and does not fund students for their study.

Although HEFCW does not fund individual research projects, the Research Councils might be able to offer funding.

Our 'Studying in Wales' section points you towards useful websites.

Our 'Training to be a teacher' section gives further information.

The Quality section gives information about assessing teaching.
The Assessing Research section gives information about assessing research.

There is some information on the statistical pages of our website.

We cannot become involved in disputes between students or staff and higher education institutions. However, we may become involved in issues about whether the funds we allocate are being properly used.

Each university and college has its own complaints and appeals, and whistleblowing procedures. If you are a staff or student complainant, you should make sure you have been through this procedure before taking further action. Taking advice from internal sources within your institution (your tutor, course representative, student welfare office or your students' union) beforehand might resolve issues informally.

If you are a student and have exhausted your university's internal complaints procedure - and have received your 'Completion of Procedures' letter - but remain dissatisfied, the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA) provides an independent scheme reviewing student complaints.