Office for Students notifications

What is a notification?

A notification is an important part of how we regulate universities and colleges. It allows students, staff members and others to let us know about an issue within a university or college registered with the OfS, which might not show up in the other data or information we receive.

It is important to remember that we do not have a direct role in dealing with individual complaints or with disputes between students and their university or college. Universities and colleges that are registered with us must have a process in place for resolving student complaints. If a student uses this process and is not satisfied with the outcome, they can contact the Office of the Independent Adjudicator.

A complaint is made by a student, former student or another person, about concerns relevant to the university or college. These concerns could include, for instance, its facilities and services. Before contacting the OfS, where possible, you should first raise any concerns you have that are relevant to your university or college using its complaints process, and seek a solution using that process.

A notification to the OfS informs us, as the regulator for higher education in England, about concerns or issues you have about your university or college that are relevant to our regulatory remit.

What kind of issues could you share with the OfS in a notification?

You can tell us about anything that is relevant to our regulatory remit. We are particularly interested in hearing about issues that are affecting whole courses or particular groups of students. For example, the following may be of interest to us:

• A course not being delivered in the way students had expected – for example, unexpected changes to what is taught, or concerns about the quality of teaching, the availability of resources, or the fairness of assessment.
• Academic support not being available in the way students had expected – for example, a university or college’s personal tutoring system not working effectively and in the way set out in the course handbook.
• Complaints from students not being considered on an individual basis or according to the university or college’s complaints policy.
• Concerns about the way a university or college is being managed or run – for example, evidence of fraud, or conflicts of interest in decision-making processes.
• Issues about fairness and equality – for example, if all students regardless of background are not able to participate and succeed in their courses; or concerns about the university or college failing to deliver the commitments made in its access and participation plan.

This is not a full list but will give you an idea of the type of concerns you can tell us about.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

When submitting a notification to us, students unions and student representatives may wish to ensure they have considered the implications of the notification on all students, whatever their background. This is because we, as the regulator, will need to respond in a way that reflects that broader perspective. Does the issue have an even bigger impact on disabled students, for example? Are students from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds disproportionately affected? Have students who stay on campus during the holidays – such as care experienced, estranged or international students – been considered?

Notifications that affect whole courses or particular groups of students should be developed with those students. You should also consider the diversity of your student community. Actions that may help one group may not be suitable for another.