Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022
The Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022 establishes the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research, the independent regulatory body responsible for the funding, oversight and regulation of tertiary education and research in Wales, to replace the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW). Tertiary education encompasses all post-16 education including further and higher education, apprenticeships and sixth forms.
The Act also makes other provision about tertiary education, including:
- registration and regulation of providers
- securing funding
- apprenticeships
- learner protection, complaints and engagement
- information, advice and guidance.
This Bill Summary produced by the Senedd provides a further useful overview, and the Explanatory Notes to the Act provide detailed commentary on the various provisions.
Coming into force:
Sections 143 to 146 and 148 to 149 of the Act came into force on 9 September 2022, which was the day after it received Royal Assent, in accordance with section 148(1). Section 148(2) provides for other provisions of the Act to come into force when one or more orders are made by the Welsh Ministers. The following orders have been made:
- The Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022 (Commencement No. 4 and Transitory and Transitional Provisions) Order 2024
- The Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitory Provision) (Amendment) Order 2024
- The Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022 (Commencement No. 3) Order 2023
- The Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitory Provision) Order 2023
- The Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022 (Commencement No. 1) Order 2022
Subordinate legislation made under the Act:
| Title | Citation number (Statutory Instruments only) | Made date | Coming into force date | Supporting documents |
| The Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2024 | 2024 No. 803 (W. 128) | 17 July 2024 | 1 August 2024 | Explanatory Memorandum |
Consideration of the legislation by the Senedd:
The Bill was introduced by Jeremy Miles MS, Minister for Education and Welsh Language on 1 November 2021 and passed by Senedd Cymru on 28 June 2022.
More information about the Bill is available on the Senedd’s website, including a record of the passage of the Bill through the Senedd and the Explanatory Memorandum that was prepared by the Welsh Government (as revised after Stage 2).
The Act received Royal Assent on 8 September 2022.