Consultation outcome

Franchising in higher education

From:
Department for Education
Published
30 January 2025
Last updated
9 December 2025 — See all updates

Applies to England

This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Strengthening oversight of partnership delivery in higher education: government response

PDF, 635 KB, 46 pages

Detail of outcome

This report presents an analysis of responses we have received, along with the government’s response and next steps. It may be of particular use to stakeholders with an interest in franchising in higher education.

Original consultation

Summary

We are seeking views on proposals to strengthen oversight of subcontracted delivery of higher education, also known as franchising.

This consultation was held on another website.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

These proposals aim to protect public money by strengthening oversight of franchising in higher education.

We propose that franchised delivery partners with 300 or more students must be registered with the Office for Students (OfS), for courses they deliver to be designated for student finance by the Student Loans Company.

The proposals include:

  • some exemptions
  • plans for a transition period
  • consequences for exceeding the threshold without being registered with the OfS

Documents

Strengthening oversight of partnership delivery in higher education (web accessible)

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-5361-9, E03268783, CP 1255

PDF, 570 KB, 32 pages

Order a copy

Strengthening oversight of partnership delivery in higher education (print ready)

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-5361-9, E03268783, CP 1255

PDF, 1.87 MB, 32 pages

Order a copy

Updates to this page

Published 30 January 2025
Last updated 9 December 2025 show all updates

  1. The government response has been published.

  2. First published.

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