Committee to discuss the Office for Students with higher education trade bodies and mission groups
The Industry and Regulators Committee will continue its inquiry into the work of the Office for Students, the regulator of higher education providers in England, by hearing from higher education trade bodies and mission groups. The Committee will discuss how the Office for Students has carried out its role, its relationship with and independence from the Government, and its relationship with higher education providers and students.
The Committee will also consider the financial sustainability of the higher education sector. This will include discussing the business models of higher education providers, the financial risks that they face and how these risks are managed by the OfS and the Government.
Meeting details
At 10:30am: Oral evidence
Inquiry
The work of the Office for Students
Chief Executive at University Alliance
Chief Executive at Universities UK
At 11:30am: Oral evidence
Inquiry
The work of the Office for Students
Chief Executive at MillionPlus - The Association for Modern Universities
Chief Executive at Independent Higher Education
Possible questions include:
- To what extent is the OfS’ work determined by the Government? Is the guidance the Government issues the regulator too prescriptive?
- Has the Government provided clarity on its overall policy or strategy for the higher education sector?
- How does the OfS evaluate whether higher education provides value for money? Is it possible to do so objectively or do these judgements reflect political and economic priorities?
- How does the OfS oversee the financial sustainability of individual higher education providers and the higher education sector more broadly?