Key performance measure 2

‘We will be relentlessly focused on securing positive higher education experiences for all students. We will help drive improvement across the sector, recognising that while much provision is already excellent, there is room to improve further.’ (The OfS strategy 2025 to 2030)

We conduct risk-based quality investigations to ensure institutions meet our minimum quality requirements. As part of this process, we visit the institution, draft an assessment report and share this report with the institution. Following the completion of a final report, the OfS considers the content and makes decisions regarding compliance with any relevant conditions of registration.

While recognising that the complexity of investigations will vary, we aim to provide the institution with a report in a timely manner, supporting a predictable regulatory environment and enabling a swift response to any quality concerns we identify.

This KPM reports the number of public quality investigations completed each year. It also shows whether the report writing for these investigations was completed in a timely way. We focus on the report writing period specifically because it is the part of the investigation process most directly within our control, meaning it provides a clear indication of our efficiency.

KPM 2 shows that two public investigations with a quality assessment were completed in 2025-26. In one of these investigations, the assessment period was completed within the standard timeframe. In the other investigation, the assessment period was completed within 16 weeks, exceeding the standard timeframe slightly.

This KPM measures the number of public investigations with a quality assessment completed in each business year, which runs from April to the following March.

For each investigation, we will measure the period between the completion of an assessment visit and a draft assessment report being shared with an institution (‘the assessment period’). We will report whether this part of the investigation was completed within the standard timeframe.

The standard timeframe is normally 15 weeks. A modified standard may apply where investigations are particularly complex. Any modified standard will be defined at the outset of an investigation and calculated using the same assumptions that underpin the 15-week standard, adjusted to reflect the additional complexity involved.

We aim to complete the assessment period of each investigation in a timely way. The standard timeframe is a target but does not represent a binding commitment.