About the Higher Education Digital Capability Framework (HEDC)

Informed by academic research and with input from higher education leaders globally, the HEDC Framework offers an overarching view for institutions to map and measure digital capabilities across the learner lifecycle, ultimately to support practical and sustainable approaches to digital services and online learning. The Framework is organised in four core dimensions along the learner lifecycle: People & Systems (PS), Demand & Discovery (DD), Digitial Design & Experience (DE), and Work & Lifelong Learning (WL), with a further sixteen capability groups or ‘domains’, and ~70 capability blocks adding a further level of detail.

Methodology and Guiding Principles

The HEDC Framework is a learner-focused, practical and flexible approach to mapping and measuring digital capability in higher education institutions. The framework acknowledges educational literature on digital capability and grounds these in current practice using ongoing consultation, research and analysis with higher education leaders around the world. The Higher Education Digital Capability Framework benefits from a continuous and iterative feedback cycle informed by an engaged community of Higher Education professionals.

Learner-Focused

The HEDC Framework looks at digital capability through a learner lifecycle perspective. The 4 Dimensions, 16 Domains and 70+ Capability Blocks consider how a digitally capable organisation can support and enhance learning and student experience at each stage of the lifecycle, from enabling functions such as people, systems and technology, through to education product and delivery, and post-education transition into work or further study.

Supported by Literature

Framework development included review and analysis of models and frameworks on digital capability, including educational instruments such as DigCompOrg and HEInnovate (EU Commission/OECD) and frameworks from bodies such as ACODE (Australasia), JISC (UK) and UNESCO. The Framework also draws on organisational theory and frameworks from business and industry, and their application across functions such as marketing, HR, strategy and innovation.

Strengthened through Input & Iteration

The HEDC has been developed over a period of years, with input and feedback from a global network of higher education leaders. The first iteration of the framework was released in 2018, with consisted of a 16-point framework identifying key capabilities underpinning digital higher education. The 16-point framework was used by institutions in different ways to articulate, share and showcase current and emerging models in digital learning, and to identify areas for strategic focus and development. The Framework was re-developed in 2020 as the Higher Education Digital Capability (HEDC) Framework, built on the earlier model and adding a deeper focus on digital capabilities across the whole learner lifecycle. Institutional capabilities were mapped to four connected dimensions across the lifecycle - Demand & Discovery (DD) to Learning Design (LD), Learner Experience (LX) and Work & Lifelong Learning (WL). In 2024, a third iteration of the framework was released, which incorporated the underpinning infrastructure that is required to support digital capabilities, including Digital Leadership & Skills, Data, Technology Governance, and Digital Infrastructure. Interviews and consultations with several hundred HE leaders and digital education experts inform the Framework development, as well as in-depth research with individual industry experts in each of the 4 Dimensions. Research has been conducted with HolonIQ’s Global Panels and Networks at key points during development. The HEDC Framework benefits from a continuous and iterative feedback cycle informed by an engaged community of Higher Education professionals.

Mapping Digital Capabilities in Higher Education

The Higher Education Digital Capability framework identifies four core dimensions along the learner lifecycle: People & Systems (PS), Demand & Discovery (DD), Digitial Design & Experience (DE), and Work & Lifelong Learning (WL). Within these are sixteen capability groups or ‘domains’, with more than 70 capability blocks adding a further level of detail. Overall, the framework is designed to allow flexibility and interpretation in context; some institutions will find almost every capability block relevant to their organisational structure, activities and aspirations, whilst others will focus on a more specific set of capabilities applicable to their individual context.

4 Dimensions

​The overarching construct that forms the ‘top level’ of the framework is anchored on the student lifecycle, which can help to focus conversations, efforts and actions across different stakeholder groups and departments. ‘People & Systems’ (PS) reflects the critical role technology infrastructure, but which cannot be effective without the leadership and skills of people. ‘Demand and Discovery’ (DD) puts institutional strategy, insights and customer (student) focus at the start of the journey and establishes the importance of data to connect and personalise the student experience at every stage. ‘Digital Design & Experience’ (DE) picks up the learner focus and outlines capabilities needed to design for diverse modalities and those that support student life, community and wellbeing as well as learning experiences, academic progress and assessment. ‘Work & Lifelong Learning’ (WL) completes the lifecycle, but rather than being a ‘final’ stage, shifts the focus to consider how learners can be supported as they choose and change careers throughout their lives with continued education needs.

16 Domains

At the next level of the framework are 16 ‘domains’ of capabilities - 4 in each lifecycle dimension. These create structured groups of capabilities relating to familiar activities like technology governance, recruitment, curriculum design, assessment or career planning. These domains can map to organisational teams or structures in an institution, but will also overlap and blur boundaries between these. Connected capabilities can be shared responsibilities across units and departments and supported by shared systems and technologies. This is where the view of the whole lifecycle and groups of capabilities becomes particularly valuable.

~70 Capability Blocks

At the deepest level, each of the 16 domains unfolds into a series of blocks that include ~70 distinct digital capabilities. Some are well established in mature digital contexts, whilst others reflect emerging and evolving capabilities in the sector. Not all blocks will be of strategic importance or interest to every institution using the framework, and some are likely to be more ‘aspirational’ for institutions who are in the earlier stages of their digital journey. The capabilities at this level were identified by analysing common factors in established models and frameworks, and refined in consultation with leaders in higher education institutions around the world. The individual capability blocks will continue to evolve as universities and organisations respond and adapt to changing learner needs and market demand.