Office for Students
Franchised higher education provision poses ‘significant risks’ to students
The Office for Students, England’s universities watchdog, has highlighted a series of concerns linked to subcontractual partnerships.
Number of top degrees awarded falls for second year in a row
The drop comes after the Covid-19 pandemic saw a rise in grade inflation across universities.
Universities face sanctions if they fail to address staff-student relationships
A survey suggests one in five students experienced unwanted sexual behaviour in the 2022/23 academic year.
Powers to fine universities over ‘free speech’ breaches put on hold
Bridget Phillipson said there were concerns the legislation would be ‘burdensome’ on providers and the Office for Students (OfS) watchdog.
Urgent Government action needed to mitigate risk of university closures – report
A £2.5 billion transformation fund should be created to help provide state-backed loans to universities, the report said.
Universities expected to manage budgets without calling on taxpayer – Phillipson
The University and College Union has called on the Government to take urgent action to help institutions struggling with their finances.
Tory peer Lord Wharton resigns as chairman of higher education watchdog
The process to appoint an interim chair of the Office for Students is under way, the Department for Education said.
Lack of Government oversight has left student finance system open to fraud – MPs
Franchised higher education providers create ‘risks’ for taxpayers and students, the Public Accounts Committee has said.
Free speech tsar issues warning to universities about overseas arrangements
The Office for Students has launched a consultation on new guidance about freedom of speech in higher education in England.
‘Universities which promote free speech help society as a whole’
Arif Ahmed, from the Office for Students, said it is essential that we learn to tolerate views that we find ‘find wrong-headed and even appalling’.