OfS investigates Fairfield-Bath Spa partnership

The Office for Students (OfS) has opened an investigation into Fairfield School of Business and Bath Spa University, focusing on the quality and management of courses delivered under a partnership between the two institutions.

The regulator announced that the inquiry relates to Bath Spa University students taught by Fairfield School of Business. It will assess whether the courses delivered by Fairfield on Bath Spa’s behalf are of high quality and whether the private college has effective governance and management arrangements in place.

The OfS said the opening of an investigation signals that it has identified “potential concerns that require further scrutiny”. However, it stressed that the decision “does not mean that any form of non-compliance or wrongdoing has taken place”.

Fairfield School of Business, based in Croydon, operates as an independent higher education provider offering business and management degrees validated by partner universities. Bath Spa University, a publicly funded institution, is among several UK universities that work with alternative providers to widen access to higher education.

The OfS has in recent years increased its oversight of such partnership arrangements, which allow students at private colleges to receive degrees awarded by recognised universities. Previous investigations have examined whether these collaborations maintain consistent academic standards and provide adequate student support.

Under OfS rules, higher education providers are required to ensure that all teaching partners meet regulatory conditions relating to academic quality, governance, and management of student outcomes.

If the regulator finds evidence of non-compliance, it may take enforcement action, which can include imposing specific conditions or requiring improvements.