Office for Students (OfS)
Concerns raised over proposals that would allow the OfS to halt payments to franchised providers without investigation
Sussex v-c says media attacks motivated by view that fewer people should obtain a degree
Women’s negative experiences of reporting reflective of wider barriers, with problems likely to be exacerbated by funding crisis
‘Shocking figures’ show ‘devastating’ impact on students, with women and LGB people particularly vulnerable
Revamped version of quality benchmark scheme will force more higher education providers to participate and punish those with lower ratings
Reversing some recent trends in teaching and learning is sure to generate mixed responses from students. Regulators must step in, says Ian Pace
Regulator wants vice-chancellors to advise on policy as part of new chair’s attempts to build better relationship with sector
Incoming conditions require institutions hoping to access student loan funding to be upfront about course changes and compensation processes
Calls for regulator action as no universities voluntarily sign up to scheme that aims to prevent ‘passing the perpetrator’
If the UK has decided it can no longer afford the sub-Oxbridge university model, expectations need to be systematically lowered, says Robert Dingwall
Regulator to examine quality controls at institution delivering degrees of UK’s biggest franchise university
No incentive for wealthy institutions to support initiatives such as bespoke clearing scheme, experts fear, as policymakers face hurdles in developing process for market exits
Regulator reviewing processes after administrative mix-up weeks before applications set to reopen
Liverpool Hope and Manchester to provide support as Spurgeon’s College shuts after nearly 170 years
Institutions including Liverpool and Southampton to continue to ‘discourage’, rather than prohibit, staff-student relationships despite new regulations, as others opt for partial bans
Increased fees will be hard to swallow but we are working hard to reduce the regulatory burden, says Susan Lapworth
Office for Students (OfS) proposes to create new condition of registration as some partnerships ‘still being mismanaged’
Several student protection directions active in last financial year, with 71 institutions subjected to formal monitoring
Students more positive on all aspects of university life than last year, but regulator flags management problems at some institutions
Regulator tells universities it will not discourage diversity initiatives but says they must be run in accordance with free speech duties
The beefed up document could temper the influence of anti-rational ideologies and restore public trust in academia, say Ian Pace and Abhishek Saha
Universities warned against restricting lawful speech as one in three academics claim they are scared of discussing controversial subjects
Regulator to reopen to new applications after heavily criticised eight-month pause
Courses at Brit College de-designated as investigation into quality concerns continues
Repeated efforts to bring about ‘high-level systematic reform’ in English higher education flounder without buy-in from those doing the doing, says access tsar
The OfS’ recent imposition of its first fines over franchised provision highlighted what some regard as the dark underbelly of UK higher education. But is there really a significant problem in the for-profit sector? And, if so, who is to blame – and what should be done about it? Helen Packer reports
Ministers to seek to ensure money used to support high-cost subjects better aligns with priorities for growth
Religious institutions’ governing documents incompatible with OfS rules, says secular society
Office for Students warns providers against being overly ambitious in their forecasting after financial performance declines for third year running
Education secretary Bridget Phillipson takes action over concerns about attendance and recruitment at Oxford Business College
English universities pushing to show they are serious about tackling sexual misconduct ahead of new regulatory requirements but experts say efforts still ‘patchy’
English regulator promises to take more active role in protecting students during industrial action, as wave of fresh strikes hits the sector
University handed record fine over free speech breaches claims ruling gives ‘free rein’ to racists and sexists
OfS’ free speech director tells institutions to ensure they are meeting ‘regulatory obligations’ after Sussex fine
Now-closed private provider also documented education students working in cafes, clothes shops and building firms as part of their course
Leaders warn that over-regulation could shut down provision entirely after fraud connected to partnership agreements comes under the spotlight again
Any academic who adopts a social constructionist view of gender without studying the alternatives is embarrassingly superficial, says Eric Heinze
OfS defends ‘thorough’ investigation that legal expert says leaves institutions ‘without clear guidance’
The law around free speech is complex, but Sussex just seems to have got it wrong and has paid a hefty price, says James Murray
Regulator says English sector finances ‘appear to be towards the most pessimistic end’ of predictions, with risks escalating
Regulator heavily criticised for pausing much of its work to focus on finances announces ‘staggered’ restart in applications
Regulator ‘looking forward to getting on with it’ after key interventions delayed by political wrangling
New chair with long history in higher education welcomed by universities but Office for Students told it still has work to do to address long-running grievances
Most institutions in trouble can find balance between income and expenditure on their own, according to prospective new OfS chair
Edward Peck had already announced he would step down from university role this summer
Shadow minister urges government to investigate reports of attempts to pay money to relatives of university managers
The deadline for most 2023-24 financial accounts was the end of December
Employment prospects the main motivation for half of students with satisfaction levels dented by high fees and low contact hours
Consultation launched during pause in new registrations, with pent-up demand at end of hiatus likely to be joined by franchisees affected by government reforms
Former universities minister claims successful providers based overseas keen to invest in sector but have so far been left frustrated
Institutions with more than 300 students to be subjected to new rules as part of planned government ‘crackdown’ on poor-quality provision
In-depth Hepi report promises inside story of last summer’s UK campus protests
Former universities minister attacks ‘embarrassing’ regulator decision, claiming it will worsen sector’s financial woes
Regulator yet to conclude investigation into philosopher’s departure from Sussex despite renewed focus on free speech issues
Cambridge philosopher appointed to oversee free speech in English universities has been unusually quiet since starting the role. Might changes seen as ‘clipping his wings’ force him to be more vocal?
University required to report to English watchdog as it addresses quality concerns relating to business and management courses
Proposed strategy sets out ‘integrated approach’ to quality, built around ‘more routine’ Teaching Excellence Framework and possible realignment with European standards
Regulator accused of ‘dereliction of duty’ and faces potential legal action after temporarily shutting down key processes
‘Challenger’ institutions dealt blow as regulator temporarily shuts down processes seen as crucial for launching as a provider
English regulator responds to long-running criticism of engagement with learners
