Office for Students (OfS)
Susan Lapworth tells business school deans that regulator has learned lessons from first investigations into quality of their provision
Regulator says subcontracting of courses becoming bigger and bigger part of the sector but there are ‘potential pockets of concern’
Regulator’s measures of quality may have unintended biases towards certain students, regions and institutions, says Amanda Broderick
PA Consulting survey spotlights concerns on finances plus relations with ministers and regulators, but also optimism on potential solutions
New director promises political impartiality and a thorough consultation as English regulator gets ready to promote and protect expression on campus
Lords committee report delivers biting criticism of ‘distant and combative’ English regulator, prompting calls for its chair to resign
English regulator rejects most criticism of proposals, but acknowledges that it should consider an institution’s ability to pay before it finalises costs
English regulator ‘making it up as it goes along’, critics say
Chief executive Susan Lapworth defends English regulator against sector criticism
Former head of Australian university watchdog says early criticism helped shape more collaborative approach
University of Cambridge philosopher takes on crucial role following the passing of England’s new free speech legislation
Revised conditions that will force universities to store millions of old essays and assignments will cost millions of pounds in annual running costs, say experts
The ‘teenage’ regulator has a toxic relationship with universities owing to its uncompromising approach and its alleged unwillingness to listen – except to Conservative ministers. But should vice-chancellors agitating against the OfS be careful what they wish for? John Morgan reports
Minister says strong financial health of majority of institutions suggests struggles may be due to poor management, not lack of funding
A new registration condition, complaints scheme and system of penalties all require careful thought, says Jamie Roberts
Challenger institutions offer innovation and dynamism, but ignorance and monopolistic behaviour is holding them back, says Edward Venning
Universities’ lack of compliance with European standards raises suspicions in foreign governments that hamper expansion plans, warns agency’s chief executive
Regulator will not ‘prop up’ any institution found to be at risk of going under as greater funding pressures start to bite
Student representatives tell Lords inquiry that English regulator more concerned with satisfying desires of government
Education secretary directs OfS to create ‘competitive degree apprenticeship development fund’ in England
England’s higher education regulator takes on quality scrutiny role after Quality Assurance Agency steps back
Vivienne Stern tells Lords inquiry that trust would increase if regulator was more resistant to political direction
Figures should ‘concern us all’, warns regulator
Former OfS chief executive turned Bristol professor defends regulator ‘looking out for the interests of students’ as it comes under scrutiny
Architect of English regulator also criticises universities for ‘sniping’ at it
Additional fees to institutions that breach OfS rules may focus attention on growing regulatory costs
The regulator’s published approach to enforcement lacks basic safeguards around transparency, fairness and accountability, says Smita Jamdar
Regulator’s former chair also says fears ‘half a dozen or more’ institutions would collapse in pandemic were averted via its support
Wide-ranging investigation will look at powers held by English higher education regulator and its relationship with government
OfS’ proposed scheme might unintentionally endorse personal relationships between staff and students, campaigners warn
English regulator plans to order institutions to create registers of relationships, with expectation that staff who keep liaisons secret will be sacked
Hopes that a new regulator would bring light-touch, proportionate regulation in England have been dashed, says Iain Mansfield
English regulator concedes providers being asked to do too much, too quickly and gives most another year to work on plans
Chief executive Susan Lapworth says regulator will ‘respond positively and practically’ to recommendations from highly critical report
Agency rebuts Office for Students report which ‘substantially misrepresents’ role in assessing higher education providers, as major rift exposed
Concerns over regulator’s independence and sweeping new powers necessitates parliamentary investigation, letter to Robin Walker states
Ministers accused of adding bureaucracy then ‘putting the costs on universities’ with planned rise while cutting student support in real terms
Reports of a 13 per cent rise in registration fees is unjustifiable in the current economic environment, says Stephen Marston
With much still unclear, complaints procedures are likely to be lengthy and fraught with contention, says Gill Evans
Academics Peter Mathieson and Vernon Bogdanor among those knighted for services to their disciplines or the sector
Regulator tells universities free speech codes should cover teaching and academics will be polled, bringing ‘independence’ rebuke
Two-thirds of larger providers failing to meet every student outcomes benchmark in every subject, THE analysis finds
English regulator focuses on law, business and computing courses not meeting thresholds for continuation, completion and progression
Evaluation report finds some institutions ‘slow to prioritise this issue’, leading to need for more regulation to ensure ‘consistent approach’ across sector
Students in England will no longer be asked about the overall quality of their course despite opposition to the move
English regulator ‘moving forward’ with registration condition and student survey that could spotlight individual universities for intervention
English regulator announces long-awaited thresholds higher education providers must meet to avoid the risk of sanctions
Hitting targets ‘not the be-all and end-all’, John Blake tells THE, as national risk register for higher education participation planned
Concerns over ‘sharp increase’ in number of firsts and 2.1s awarded warrant ‘further scrutiny’, according to regulator
Interim chief handed job permanently at crucial time for English regulator
Internationally renowned experts relinquish quality role just as English regulator steps up interventions
Overall satisfaction question to go in shake-up of influential poll, regulator confirms
Independent quality body steps back from providing assessments for OfS due to non-compliance with European standards
English universities can protect institutional autonomy from interventionist regulators by equipping boards with skills, says Hepi policy note
Rejections up, but data show universities ‘remain places where debate and the sharing of ideas can thrive’, says OfS
Office for Students accounts also confirm £915,000 payment to for-profit college that successfully challenged refusal of registration in court
Public Accounts Committee criticises Office for Students and DfE, while warning some institutions are being ‘put at risk’ by reliance on overseas fees
Education secretary proposes amendment to higher education legislation to address calls for more transparency
Following ministerial orders, England’s independent regulator will look at business and management courses, including online provision
Academics claim Lord Wharton’s appearance at CPAC Hungary is incompatible with his role at top of English regulator
