Quality and standards assessments for providers applying to register
Applications before 2022
In 2022 we made changes to our conditions of registration for quality and standards. This included introducing the two initial conditions for quality (condition B7) and standards (condition B8).
We assess providers that have applied to register with the OfS after 1 May 2022 against these current initial conditions of registration.
For providers that applied to register before that date, we assess them against the initial conditions of registration that were in force at the time they applied.
Quality and standards review
Providers that applied before 1 May 2022 could choose to be assessed against the OfS’s current B7 and B8 conditions. But normally we assess them using a ‘quality and standards review’ (QSR).
We use QSRs to:
- assess a provider’s compliance with the initial conditions of registration in force before 1 May 2022
- assess risk against the ‘ongoing’ quality and standards conditions that will apply to the provider if they are registered.
Until 1 April 2023, the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) carried out QSRs for the OfS to assess quality and standards for providers seeking registration. Since 1 April 2023, the OfS has carried out its own QSRs.
QSRs assess providers against the core practices of the UK Quality Code for Higher Education 2018, which sets out the principles of UK higher education for securing academic standards and assuring and enhancing quality.
Until April 2023, QSRs assessed providers against the 13 core practices set out in the code.
However, to take a more risk-based approach and minimise regulatory burden for providers, the QSRs the OfS now undertakes only assess providers against seven of the original core practices. We have listed these practices in the table below.
Expectations and relevant core practices of the quality code
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Expectations for standards |
Expectations for quality |
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The academic standards of courses meet the requirements of the relevant national qualifications framework. The value of qualifications awarded to students at the point of qualification and over time is in line with sector-recognised standards. |
Courses are well-designed, provide a high quality academic experience for all students and enable a student's achievement to be reliably assessed. From admission through to completion, all students are provided with the support that they need to succeed in and benefit from higher education. |
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Core practices The provider ensures that the threshold standards for its qualifications are consistent with the relevant national qualifications frameworks. The provider ensures that students who are awarded qualifications have the opportunity to achieve standards beyond the threshold level that are reasonably comparable with those achieved in other UK providers. |
Core practices The provider designs and/or delivers high quality courses. The provider has sufficient appropriately qualified and skilled staff to deliver a high quality academic experience. The provider has sufficient and appropriate facilities, learning resources and student support services to deliver a high quality academic experience. |
Q2
Q3
Q4 |
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S1 |
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S2 |
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The provider actively engages students, individually and collectively, in the quality of their educational experience. |
Q5 |
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The provider supports all students to achieve successful academic and professional outcome. |
Q9 |
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