"Higher education institution (HEI) is a term from the Further and Higher Education Act 1992. Under the Act, it means any provider which is one or more of the following: a UK university; a higher education corporation; an institution designated as eligible to receive support from funds administered by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), aside from further education colleges". (Eurydice - European Commission).

In England, Higher Education institutions are independent, self-governing bodies active in teaching, research and scholarship and established by Royal Charter or legislation. Most are part-funded by government. Higher Education (HE) is provided by different types of institution. In addition to universities and university colleges, whose Charters and statutes are made through the Privy Council which advises the Queen on the granting of Royal Charters and incorporation of universities, there are a number of publicly-designated and autonomous institutions within the sector. About ten per cent of higher education provision is available in colleges of further education by the authority of another duly empowered institution.