OfS approach ‘not protecting students’ in event of closures

Report on the implications of a university exiting the market finds shortcomings in current protections

The Office for Students’ regulatory approach provides insufficient protection for students in the event of a university exiting the market, according to a new report.

Published on 26 July by policy consultancy Public First and produced in collaboration with the University of Warwick, the paper argues that the current OfS regime fails to consider the possible knock-on effects of institutional insolvency, and that student protection plans—required if a provider wishes to register with the regulator—have “no force in law”.