Background Information
The Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council (SFC)is responsible for allocating about £1.6 billion in public funds each year to the further and higher education sectors in Scotland.
SFC was formally established on 3 October 2005 as a direct result of the passing of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 2005. The new Council merged the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC), which was established in 1992, and its sister organisation the Scottish Further Education Funding Council (SFEFC), which was established in 1999.
The Council creates a single body providing a strategic overview of tertiary education in Scotland and will secure a more coherent system of high-quality learning and research.
In promoting further and higher education in Scotland, the Council will support colleges and universities in:
- the delivery of high quality programmes for learning;
- the investment in modern facilities for learning and research; and
- being flexible and responsive in allowing access to lifelong learning for all.
Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB)
The Council, which is accountable to the Scottish Parliament through Scottish Ministers, is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB). NDPBs have a role in national government but are not government departments. They operate at arm’s length from Ministers, although Ministers remain accountable to Parliament for their performance.
Structure
The staffing structure has an establishment of approximately 150 staff, including several on secondment or loan from the Scottish Government. Organisation Structure (pdf)