Office for Students

Govt to tighten oversight of uni franchising under fraud crackdown

The government plans to bring university franchising arrangements under tighter oversight as part of a wider effort to curb abuse of the student finance system, which officials say cost taxpayers £2m in 2022/23. Under the proposals, franchiser providers with 300 or more students would be required to register with the…

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OfS launches investigation into University of Greater Manchester

The Office for Students (OfS)has opened an investigation into the University of Greater Manchester to assess whether its governance arrangements meet regulatory requirements set out in the higher education framework. The regulator said it will consider whether the university’s governing documents uphold the public interest governance principles and whether management…

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OfS proposes plans to simplify rules for further education colleges

The Office for Students (OfS) has outlined plans to simplify how it regulates further education colleges in England by removing some requirements that overlap with Department for Education (DfE) oversight.  The regulator has opened a consultation on the proposed changes, which focus on reducing duplication while maintaining protections for students…

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Uni finances under pressure despite higher student recruitment, OfS finds

University finances remain under pressure despite higher student recruitment this autumn, according to new analysis from the Office for Students (OfS). The latest report updates the OfS’s annual financial sustainability report, which was published in May 2025, and takes into account early information about the number of UK and international students…

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OfS allocates £88.5m for new university and college facilities

The Office for Students (OfS) has allocated £88.5m in capital funding for universities and colleges in England in 2025–26.The funding will back projects aimed at boosting student opportunities and supporting national and regional growth. The regulator said the funding will support new buildings, facilities and equipment, with £80.75m awarded through…

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OfS sets out new strategy based on ‘equality of opportunity’

The Office for Students (OfS) has unveiled a new strategy to help it “deliver exemplary regulation in the interest of students”. The new strategy will be built around three priorities: quality, student experience and support, and sector resilience. OfS said its strategy will be framed by four attitudes: Ambitious for…

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OfS appoints interim director for fair access and participation 

Professor Chris Millward has been appointed interim director for fair access and participation at the Office for Students (OfS). Millward, who previously held the role from 2018 to 2021, returns as the Department for Education begins recruiting for a permanent appointment. Millward will sit on the OfS board and serve…

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OfS consults on revised teaching framework

The Office for Students (OfS) has launched a consultation on plans to overhaul the way teaching quality is assessed across English universities and colleges. Under the proposals, the OfS said it intends to combine its current quality monitoring work with the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) into a single system. The…

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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…

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OfS calls on institutions to review support for disabled students

The Office for Students (OfS) has called on universities and colleges to review how they support disabled students, following new evidence showing that their experiences of higher education remain poorer than those of their non-disabled peers. In a new insight brief, the higher education regulator included views shared by the…

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