Regulatory case reports for London College of Business Studies – Specific Ongoing Conditions B2A and E2A

This case report explains why we have decided to impose a specific condition of registration on London College of Business Studies in relation to ongoing condition B2.

London College of Business Studies has satisfied the initial conditions of registration with the OfS.

However, a Quality and Standards Review by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) has identified the following concerns, which could pose risks to quality for students:

1. No robust and credible plans in place for recruiting additional support staff
2. Some aspects of student support are as yet untested.

The OfS has imposed a specific ongoing condition of registration which requires London College of Business Studies to notify the OfS if its forecast or actual student numbers reach or exceed 300 full-time equivalent. If this happens, the Provider is required to submit to the OfS a Student Support Plan, setting out the actions it will take/is undertaking to ensure that all students receive a high-quality academic experience and are adequately supported to succeed in and benefit from higher education.

This case report explains why we have decided to impose a specific condition of registration on London College of Business Studies in relation to ongoing condition E2.

London College of Business Studies has satisfied the initial conditions of registration with the OfS.

However, an independent management and governance review has identified concerns around the apparent informality of decision-making at the Provider. A key issue was a lack of adequate recording and reporting of decisions at a senior level (for example, there was insufficient evidence to show that matters/reports from the Quality and Standards committee meetings made their way to the Board of Trustees meetings for discussion). Related to this, there was a lack of evidence to suggest sufficient discussion and challenge by the Board of decision-making in key areas, such as finances, risk management and compliance. These concerns suggest that the Provider may be at increased risk of breaching condition E2: Management and governance.

London College of Business Studies has stated that it has already taken actions to address these concerns. We have imposed a specific ongoing condition of registration which requires the Provider to comply with the OfS accounts direction from the date of registration, which is earlier than would otherwise be required for a newly registered provider, as they are usually given a grace period of 12 months or more. By requiring early compliance with the accounts direction, the OfS can monitor the adequacy and effectiveness of the Provider’s arrangements at an earlier date and can therefore respond more quickly to any risks relating to the Provider’s ongoing compliance with condition E2.