Office for Students (OfS)
Regulator scraps overall ratings after consultation on revamped exercise but commits to plans to limit growth at bronze providers
Proposed regulatory conditions are ‘too broad’, lack clear guidance and will increase burden on institutions, say sector groups
Formal Prevent referrals increase by almost half year-on-year, while more universities report cancelling events owing to extremist views
Regulator will scrutinise whether partnership was properly managed and if students received a ‘high-quality’ education
Funding and affordability significant barriers for UK students hoping to progress to postgraduate study, says report
Immigration, transgender issues and race among the topics many students avoid talking about on campus, OfS survey suggests
Smaller English institutions among those faring best in current financial crisis because they ‘never had the fat years’
New fee structure for English regulator seeks to relieve ‘higher burden’ being placed on smaller providers
The ruling in the Sussex case only strengthens our argument that restrictions at religious colleges are worse, say Chris Higgins and Keith Sharpe
Letting the judgment against the OfS stand is the best way to achieve freedom of speech and academic freedom across English HE, says Josh Fleming
Regulator says ‘prolonged litigation’ not in best interests of students or universities after High Court blocked record fine
Latest regulator analysis shows sector financial health slightly up on expectations, but performance expected to deteriorate this year
Uncertainty remains on whether students would be locked out of classrooms mid-semester if a university folded, education committee warns
Regulator imposes extra conditions on institution following probe into computing courses that Northampton says was based on outdated data
Case against university being thrown out ‘swings pendulum’ back towards harassment protections, says legal expert
Students on languages, medicine and veterinary sciences courses also report far higher incidents of harassment than sector average
The verdict wrongly overlooks the Equality Act’s role in determining what universities can be expected to do to protect free speech, says Maya Forstater
As the University of Sussex celebrates legal victory against the Office for Students, we discuss what the ruling means for the future of the regulator
University leader questions Arif Ahmed’s position after landmark court case highlights conflict of interest, as others cast doubt on future of regulator’s incoming free speech complaints scheme
The OfS’ approach was opaque, highly discretionary and appeared to lack basic procedural safeguards, says Smita Jamdar
The legal tools given to the OfS since the Sussex case occurred should make it better able to conduct the vital task of protecting free speech, says Ian Pace
Record fine overturned after landmark High Court case sparked by resignation of gender-critical academic Kathleen Stock
Regulator investigating how much public money was given to education providers offering course linked to high dropout rates
London-based institutions failing to respond to risks outlined by regulator and setting fewer access-related targets, report finds
Institutions required to publish information on complaints, refunds and compensation under latest OfS proposals
Former Department for Education directors will assume the post as a job-share partnership in June
Financial challenges and lack of work experience identified as key barriers for graduates hoping to progress to further study or employment
Political statements by management may appear to be viewpoint of institution, warns university free speech tsar
Private provider withdraws from OfS registration process as regulator criticises its plans to offer ‘master’s degrees’
Universities told to adjust to new attitudes on HE expansion, as figures show boom in new entrants who have few to no qualifications
We discuss why the University of Sussex is challenging the OfS in court and what it could mean for freedom of speech, institutional autonomy and the role of the regulator
Court documents show Kathleen Stock feared ‘chilling effect’ of university trans policy as she was ‘never assured’ she would not face disciplinary action as a result of contravening it
OfS investigation finds students at provider delivering franchised degrees also told how to avoid detection by plagiarism software
Cost-cutting measures impacting student experience, finds OfS polling, with increased class sizes and reduced access to facilities among issues raised
Most low-performing English students will not repay loans, argues campaigner, who says more needs to be done to educate people about system
Senior leaders selected to help guide higher education watchdog as it attempts to work more collaboratively with sector
Leaders face grilling from free speech director amid concerns about Chinese government-backed scholarships
Government thought to want someone who can move English regulator away from ‘highly politicised’ past as applications open for new leader
English regulator warns multiple unnamed universities may have breached consumer protection legislation
Institutions warn delays after reopening of English sector registrations are jeopardising their financial sustainability
Analysis shows that one provider has increased its number of subcontracted students by 500 per cent
Chief executive becomes latest to depart English regulator after nearly four years in charge
Edward Peck insinuates risks of breaching rules when collaborating across sector aren’t as high as widely perceived
Research into impact of higher education policy changes hard to find and not always utilised by politicians, report finds
Regulator announces it is probing governance arrangements at under-pressure institution
English regulator proposes exemption to participation, financial and governance conditions for some providers ahead of expected expansion of sector
Body mirrored on one being set up to oversee nuclear power could help universities avoid ‘excessive’ bureaucracy, according to Nigel Thrift
New modelling suggests one in six English higher education institutions will have less than 30 days’ liquidity in 2025-26
Universities complaining about over-regulation should stop committing ‘own goals’ with franchising and grade inflation, says new OfS chair who believes Labour reforms can pave way to stronger sector
Regulator indicates it will act when financial pressures impact student choice and ‘supply of critical skills’
Birmingham professor to temporarily oversee access and participation at English regulator following departure of John Blake
Former teacher steps down after one term, having overseen revamp in widening participation efforts
Two London universities deemed to have breached new rules on safeguarding qualifications as regulator sounds alarm over how degree classifications are calculated
Splitting up degree programmes into smaller parts could aid lifelong learning but students risk being seen as dropouts under current system
Government commits to raising tuition fees and maintenance loans, with universities expected to deliver higher-quality teaching and more specialised research in return
Higher education institutions could be penalised if they offer courses deemed subpar as universities await Labour’s reform plans
Schools coming under ‘intense pressure’ to enrol students as universities become ever more reliant on cross-subsidy
Threat to academic freedom from secret recordings of seminars being passed to state governments must be taken seriously, says Office for Students free speech lead
Regulator says universities should only enter partnerships when they are satisfied that teaching and support standards will be maintained
OfS and UKRI seen as particularly vulnerable to meddling from government, with report authors calling for more safeguards to ensure independence
