Protecting students when providers are at risk of closing

Insight brief 24: Protecting the interests of students when universities and colleges close

In April 2025 we published an insight brief which summarised our experiences of actual provider closure and some recent instances where closure was avoided. This included insights of staff and students from those providers involved.

The brief concluded that provider closure is challenging for all concerned, complex and difficult to navigate. Making contingency plans to address some of these challenges in advance can reduce the pressure of such events when an emergency occurs.

It also stressed the importance and value of providers having open and early engagement with us and other stakeholders. This can help with finding solutions to complex problems.

Financial sustainability and market exit cases

This report published in April 2023 contains examples of providers who have been at risk of ceasing the provision of higher education and one example where an institutional closure occurred. It includes the key issues and the actions taken by the OfS.

Regulatory notice 6: Condition C4: Student protection directions

This regulatory notice contains information on Condition C4 which enables us to intervene more quickly and in a targeted way when we consider there to be a material risk that a registered provider may cease the provision of higher education.

How we regulate financial sustainability within higher education

This guide provides an overview of how we work with higher education providers to understand their financial position and provide protection for students.

Regulatory advice 16: Reportable events

Guidance for registered providers about the events or matters they are required to report to us. 

Closure of course, campus or provider - OIAHE

The Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA) has published a range of information, including its learnings from complaints from students who have been studying at providers who have ceased to offer higher education.

It has published a report called ‘Putting students first - managing the impact of higher education provider closure’ which focuses on how providers can reduce the impact of provider closure on students.