Office for Students (OfS)

Lower than anticipated student recruitment worsening financial situation for more institutions, according to OfS analysis

University among the latest providers to be referred to National Trading Standards by English regulator

Wales’ groundbreaking Medr must boldly rethink how education and training work for society and the economy, says Ellen Hazelkorn

Question remain over regulator’s political neutrality and extent of ‘meaningful’ dialogue with sector

Office for Students summarises findings from first round of reviews looking at ‘areas of concern’ in teaching

Booming business school that withheld 20 per cent of lecturers’ pay unless they passed nearly all students is heavily criticised by watchdog

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