| Act of Parliament | |
 | |
| Long title | An Act to make provision about higher education and research; and to make provision about alternative payments to students in higher or further education. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 2017 c. 29 |
| Introduced by | Jo Johnson, Universities Minister (Commons) James Younger, 5th Viscount Younger of Leckie (Lords) |
| Territorial extent | England and Wales (whole Act), Scotland and Northern Ireland (ss. 25, 79–80, 83, parts 3–4) |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 27 April 2017 |
| Commencement | Varies by section |
| Other legislation | |
| Amends | Science and Technology Act 1965 Education Reform Act 1988 Further and Higher Education Act 1992 Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 Higher Education Act 2004 |
Status: Current legislation | |
| History of passage through Parliament | |
| Records of Parliamentary debate relating to the statute from Hansard | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Revised text of statute as amended | |
The Higher Education and Research Act 2017 (c. 29) was enacted into law in the United Kingdom by the Houses of Parliament on 27 April 2017.[1] It is intended to create a new regulatory framework for higher education, increase competition and student choice, ensure students receive value for money, and strengthen the research sector.[2]
The Act is a replacement for the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 and is intended to accommodate subsequent changes in the higher education sector.[3] Viscount Younger, the sponsor of the Bill in the House of Lords, called it "the most important legislation for the sector in 25 years",[1] a claim supported by Universities UK, who said that it is "the first major regulatory reform" to higher education in that period.[3]
The Act is split into four parts: Part 1 establishes the Office for Students and gives it responsibilities for regulating the Higher Education sector; Part 2 amends prior legislation on student financial support and student complaints procedures; Part 3 establishes a body called United Kingdom Research and Innovation and gives it responsibilities for regulating and funding research; and Part 4 addresses miscellaneous issues such as transitional arrangements and data sharing.[4]
- ^ a b Morris, David (27 April 2017). "Be it enacted: The Higher Education and Research Act". Wonkhe. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
- ^ "Higher Education and Research Bill - GOV.UK". www.gov.uk. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
- ^ a b "Implementation of the Higher Education and Research Act 2017" (PDF). Universities UK. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- ^ "Higher Education and Research Act", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 2017 c. 29