Universities have called for a complete overhaul of the English sector watchdog’s fees, arguing that proposed changes fail to demonstrate value for money and a risk-based approach.
The Department for Education’s consultation on the Office for Students’ (OfS) charging model closed last week. Proposed changes include introducing a new price band for the largest providers, as well as either reducing the cost per student for smaller providers or introducing a flat fee for all institutions with a variable element based on student numbers.
But some groups representing English higher education providers have argued that the changes do not go far enough, instead advocating for a model that better holds the regulator to account.
With some providers facing long waits for OfS services, such as approval for degree-awarding powers, and ongoing concerns over how investigations are handled, some have also questioned how the money being paid by registered providers to the regulator is used.
“Our view is that any changes to the Office for Students’ fee model must start with a more fundamental question about value for money,” said Susanna Kalitowski, director of policy at University Alliance.
