Higher Education sector developments

The Office for Students referred SP Jain London School of Management to National Trading Standards over concerns that its student contract contained unfair terms under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Following the referral, SP Jain removed or amended these terms in its 2024–25 enrolment contracts and the OfS opted not to pursue further regulatory action once the changes were made.

Read more

Universities UK (UUK) has welcomed the announcement that the University of Greenwich and the University of Kent plan to formalise their long-standing partnership, calling their collaboration “a powerful example of creative thinking” in response to sector-wide financial challenges. UUK’s Chief Executive, Vivienne Stern, praised the move as evidence of how universities are adapting to rising costs and declining income by working more closely together, she said such collaboration will strengthen the resilience and impact of the higher education sector.

Read more

The Office for Students has published data revealing that students on subcontracted courses fare worse than those on directly taught programs. Continuation rates are 77% vs 88%, completion rates 74% vs 87% and progression to positive outcomes 57% vs 71%. The OfS Deputy Director of Quality, Jean Arnold warn lead providers must maintain full responsibility for quality and support and urges institutions with such partnerships to understand and address the performance gap.

Read more

The OfS has outlined its vision for a more integrated and improvement-focused quality assessment system. Building on their 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework, the proposed approach aims to streamline assessments, enhance student outcomes, and reflect sector diversity. A formal consultation is expected later this year.

The OfS has set out its principles-based approach to regulating AI in higher education. It’s encouraging institutions to experiment responsibly while safeguarding student outcomes. With AI use among students surging, the OfS highlights the need for clear guidance, equitable access, and collaboration to harness AI’s potential in teaching, learning, and assessment.

Read more

Following sector-wide roundtables, the OfS has published its reflections on the importance of robust governance in a challenging financial climate. Chairs of governing bodies shared insights on board structure, risk management, and innovation, with the OfS signalling future regulatory expectations to strengthen governance across diverse providers.

The OfS has fined the University of Sussex for failing to uphold freedom of speech, academic freedom, and for governance failings. The investigation found that university policies created a “chilling effect” on lawful expression, breaching registration conditions and prompting a call for sector-wide reflection on compliance and decision-making processes.

Read more

In response to growing concerns over subcontracted provision, the OfS has proposed new registration conditions for lead providers with 100+ subcontracted students. The measures aim to improve transparency, protect students, public funds and ensure robust oversight.

The OfS’s 2025 - 26 business plan outlines priorities including a refreshed approach to quality, enhanced consumer protection, and financial oversight. The plan reinforces the regulator’s commitment to student outcomes, institutional resilience, and safeguarding public investment in higher education.

Universities UK reports a 70% rise in university start-ups since 2014, with over 64,000 jobs created. However, leaders warn that without sustained investment and support, the UK risks losing these ventures to global markets. The report calls for long-term funding and policy backing to help start-ups scale domestically.

Read more

Universities UK argues that higher education institutions are essential to delivering the UK’s industrial strategy. From developing high-level skills to driving innovation and regional growth, universities must be embedded in sector plans to ensure sustainable economic development and global competitiveness.

Read more

As preparations for REF 2029 begin, sector leaders call for panel diversity to match the breadth of UK institutions. Inclusive representation is seen as vital to fair assessment, credibility, and recognising excellence across all research contexts, from civic universities to specialist colleges.

Read more

The Department for Education has outlined its revised implementation of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023. While retaining core duties for providers, the government has scaled back controversial elements, including direct regulation of students’ unions and the statutory tort, aiming for a more workable and proportionate framework.

View the policy paper

The Code sets out a flexible, values-led framework for effective governance in UK higher education institutions. It’s centred on six interrelated elements: Accountability, Sustainability, Reputation, Inclusion and Diversity, Effectiveness, and Engagement. Institutions are encouraged to adopt the Code on an ‘apply or explain’ basis, tailoring governance to their context while upholding core values such as integrity, excellence, and community.

View the Code of Governance

View the Committee of University Chairs Code of Governance Compliance Checklist