When to submit a plan for approval depends on:
- a provider's admissions cycle. You need to confirm tuition fees for students prior to them committing to undertake a course
- how long it takes the OfS to assess a plan (normally around 12 weeks)
- whether a new plan is required. Any university or college can choose to submit an access and participation plan, for example if you want to change your access and participation strategy. If you already have an access and participation plan we will write to you if are required to submit a new plan.
2021-22 to 2025-26 plans
It usually takes around 12 weeks for the OfS to fully assess an access and participation plan. Providers intending to submit a plan in 2021-22 should ensure that they submit their plan in time for the assessment process to be completed, allowing timely communication of information regarding fees to 2021 applicants.
The absolute deadline for submitting a 2021-22 to 2025-26 access and participation plan is 28 February 2021. The later you submit your plan, the greater the risk that you will not comply with your provision of information responsibilities (see regulatory notice 1 for further guidance).
2020-21 to 2024-25 plans
The deadline for submitting a new 2020-21 to 2024-25 access and participation plans has now passed.
Who is covered by a plan?
Access and participation plans should always be written to cover the students the university or college will register and teach in the five academic years from the point at which the plan starts. New plans override previous plans for the years where they overlap. However, new plans can’t change fee levels for existing students.
