The OfS strategy 2025 to 2030
Delivering our strategy in the interests of students will be as much about how we regulate as what we regulate. Four attitudes will drive our stewardship of this important sector in a period of change as we work to become an exemplary regulator.Professor Edward Peck CBE, OfS Chair
Ambitious for all students from all backgrounds.
Every student - regardless of their background, circumstances or pathway - should have the opportunity to benefit from high quality education that meets their needs and equips them to succeed.
We will be relentlessly focused on securing positive higher education experiences for all students, informed by a sharper understanding of students’ priorities and concerns.
We will help drive improvement across the sector, recognising that while much provision is already excellent, there is room to improve further. And we will hold institutions to account when they fall short.
Collaborative in pursuit of our priorities and in our stewardship of the sector.
We will deliver our work in collaboration with students and the institutions we regulate.
Accepting there will be issues on which we disagree, we will cultivate relationships based on mutual respect, confidence and trust.
We will work with student bodies, sector agencies and other partners that share responsibility for stewardship of this important sector to support a cohesive regulatory environment and foster a thriving ecosystem equipped to create opportunity and drive growth.
Vigilant about safeguarding public money and student fees.
We intervene where we have concerns that public money is not being used as intended, while also ensuring that in return for their investment of time, money and hard work, students benefit from high quality higher education experiences.
We will strengthen our focus on governance, recognising the critical role of effective leadership in securing positive outcomes for students and taxpayers.
And we will mobilise the diversity, talents and commitment of OfS staff to deliver efficient, effective and impactful regulation, ensuring value for the taxpayers and institutions that fund our work.
Vocal that higher education is a force for good, for individuals, communities and the country.
We will champion the many benefits of higher education for society, culture and the economy and regulate in a way that enables universities and colleges to drive growth, create opportunity, champion free expression and support a flourishing society.
We will identify and celebrate achievements, helping institutions to learn from and build on the success of others, alongside highlighting concerns, empowering universities and colleges to drive positive change.
Page two of the strategy document:
- For the full number of institutions on the OfS Register, see our Guide to the OfS Register.
- The figure of 2.4 million students taught comes from the OfS's student population data dashboard.
- The figure of over 600,000 international students comes from HESA, ‘Who's studying in HE?’.
- The figure of 85 per cent of students who say their course has developed knowledge and skills they will need for their future comes from the NSS. See ‘National Student Survey data’.
- For the figure of 176 institutions that were found to be delivering very high or outstanding quality in the latest Teaching Excellence Framework ratings, see the OfS website, ‘That’s a wrap: TEF 2023 final results published’.
- For the entry rate for students eligible for free school meals, see GOV.UK, ‘Widening participation in higher education, Academic year 2023/24’.
- The £221 billion figure of higher education's contribution to the economy comes from the Universities UK report, 'The economic impact of higher education teaching, research, and innovation'.
Page three of the strategy document:
- The percentage of students who believe their course offers poor value for money comes from the Higher Education Policy Institute's 'Student Academic Experience Survey 2025'.
- The figure of 25 per cent of students experiencing sexual harassment comes from the sexual misconduct survey 2025. See ‘OfS publishes new data on the scale of sexual misconduct in English higher education’.
- The figure of 43 per cent of institutions forecasting a deficit for 2024-25 comes from the OfS’s analysis of university finances. See ‘OfS analysis finds continued pressure on university finances’.
- The figure of six times more students reporting a mental health condition compared with 2010, comes from the OfS's student population data dashboard.
- The figure of 68 per cent of students now undertaking paid work during term time comes from HEPI’s ‘Student Academic Experience Survey 2025’.
- For the figure showing that young people from the South West and North East are 35 per cent less likely to enter higher education by age 19 than those in London, see GOV.UK, ‘Widening participation in higher education, Academic year 2023/24’.
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