The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is the UK Government department which is responsible for higher education. It was created in June 2009 by the merger of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.  

BIS is the department responsible for Research Councils and UK Science Policy both of which impact on Welsh HEIs.

Further information about the Department's higher education policy making role is on the Business, Innovation and Skills website.