Student protection

Providers may decide to change their offering in response to factors such as student demand and staff availability. This may result in course or campus closures.

We expect providers to make sure that students affected by closures are treated fairly.

What providers need to tell us

Providers do not need to tell us about changes to individual courses. However, closure of a subject area, department, or campus is something that should always be reported to the OfS.

What providers need to do

In the event of any course or campus closure, providers should ensure they are meeting the commitments set out in their student protection plan, and complying with consumer protection law.

In general, we expect that providers will:

• Ensure that information about the closure is communicated early and clearly, and is well signposted and accessible to all affected students.
• Make the specific options and arrangements for teach out or transfer clear to students, including what may happen if students are unable to complete their studies in the normal timeframe.
• Follow the steps set out in their published student protection plan, or ensure that any changes to the arrangements stated in the student protection plan are made clear.
• Review the commitments made to students in their contract (terms and conditions) and follow any relevant published policies, including complaints and refund and compensation policies.
• Arrange to discuss the closure with the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) and review their resources for providers on course, campus or provider closures.
• Contact applicants or offer holders to let them know what alternative options are available for their study.
• Discuss the closure with the relevant professional, statutory or regulatory body (PSRB), if the affected courses relate to a regulated profession or are in an area of specialist/shortage provision.
• Speak to their validator about the closure and discuss any support that it may be able to offer for affected students (if applicable).

Our involvement

We do not expect to engage with providers on routine course closures unless we receive intelligence that suggests students' interests are not being protected.

In the case of a significant closure, such as of a whole campus or subject area or department, we will work closely with the provider and its students to ensure students' interests continue to be protected through any changes.