In addition to the TRAC Development Group’s ongoing work to maintain the TRAC system and provide day-to-day support to those using TRAC, the group produces reports and best practice resources for the higher education sector.
See all publications Three projects have been undertaken in the 2016-19 period:
This project aims to understand the impact of different models of delivery for HE undergraduate courses (for example, distance learning, accelerated degrees and apprenticeships), exploring the benefits, opportunities, resourcing and risk to higher education institutions (HEIs) in the UK. A desk-based review of information on different delivery methods undertaken in 2017 informed work with selected HEIs to produce case studies to enhance understanding of the resource and other issues associated with different delivery methods. The report, published in September 2018, provides a source of reference for institutions to consider in developing HE provision via different delivery models, and enable improved sustainability by increasing understanding of the issues faced by HEIs introducing new delivery models. To guide the review, an oversight group is in place chaired by Sarah Randall-Paley, Director of Finance at Lancaster University.
This work has produced a good practice guide that extends the existing Management Information Project on workload planning (2011), providing details of how institutions can practically use and adapt their WLP models to meet TRAC requirements. A survey of HEIs’ use of WLP and a number of case study visits to institutions were completed to inform the development of the guide.
The new Financial Reporting Standard (FRS 102) brought about significant changes. TDG has evaluated whether the changes made to the TRAC guidance were appropriate, and has updated it as needed for submissions in early 2018. Alongside this review, an assurance exercise on TRAC structures, people and processes has been undertaken at a small number of HEIs and a helpful guide to developing an assurance framework for TRAC was published in March 2018 to assist institutions in achieving compliance with TRAC requirements.