Office for Students (OfS)
Man tasked with overseeing Office for Students’ transition says innovation, collaboration and mergers can all play a role in ensuring institutions are put on a better financial footing
The OfS’ approach is evolving, partly reflecting the fact that a course’s long-term value is not always immediately obvious, says John Blake
Critics warn that Health Sciences University – which incorporates chiropractic and osteopathic treatment – is ethically concerning and will mislead students and patients
It is heartening to have an education secretary who values universities as a public good, but public goods require public funding, says Jo Grady
Labour has placed its faith in better regulation sorting out the financial issues in the sector, but what tools and powers does an already overburdened organisation need to tackle its biggest challenge yet?
Departing London Met vice-chancellor says English regulator’s data-driven rules do not help socially disadvantaged students
The OfS needs only to tweak its guidance in light of the considerable free-speech duties by which universities are already bound, says James Murray
The OfS’ stronger than expected registration condition on sexual harassment and misconduct comes not a moment too soon, says Anna Bull
Results of Sir David Behan’s report set to shape future direction of regulator under Labour
Education secretary outlines new approach for English regulator, with focus on restoring sector’s financial health
Office for Students highlights issues with continuation and completion rates as well as graduate outcomes at range of institutions
Search for new leaders at OfS and UKRI offers chance for new government to break from the past in its approach to universities and research
Conservative peer steps down following long-running criticism of his political affiliation
Inventor’s Wiltshire-based training centre is first to go through new Office for Students process
Perhaps we need, instead, a specific tribunal to investigate and hear the most serious allegations, says Guy Micklewright
The regulator’s example scenarios fail to acknowledge the harm that even lawful speech can cause on campus, say Naomi Waltham-Smith and James Murray
Extending England’s proposed threshold for legal recourse would encourage universities to adopt delaying tactics, says Abhishek Saha
Short deadline for universities dealing with issues internally will ‘inundate’ regulator with partially investigated cases, sector fears
Office for Students insists it has ‘no recommendations of directions of travel’ as it seeks views on distribution of £1.5 billion annual budget
Universities are not doing enough to police misconduct. We need an independent register from which bullies can be struck off, says Nicholas Rowe
As high-profile case drags on, legal experts say issues regulator has faced are a harbinger of what is to come
New complaints scheme may help ensure more open debates on campuses in time but Gaza crisis necessitates action now, say campaigners
Health and social care expert to examine performance of Office for Students
But institutions may face paying regulator’s costs under new proposals outlined by England’s new free speech champion
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
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
