How to register

Applying to register

All applications must be submitted via the registration application portal. In order to access the portal, applicants will require an access key
If you do not already have an access key, please send an email to [email protected] to ask for an access key request form. We will then send you a short form to complete and return to us, following which an access key will be generated and sent to you.

Read the current guidance on applying to register

A higher education provider seeking registration with the OfS must make a correct application that contains all the required information.

We have published guidance on these requirements for current providers and new providers.

Which providers are eligible?

The OfS will register a provider where it:

has applied to be registered in one of the categories of the Register
is, or intends to become, an English higher education provider
satisfies the ‘initial conditions of registration’ applicable to the relevant category of the Register
has made a correct application that contains all of the required information.

Further information about eligibility and the meaning of these requirements is published in the regulatory framework and the guidance documents on these pages about how to register.

When should providers apply?

Providers can apply to register at any time.

There are no absolute deadlines, but providers should time their application to ensure that they receive a decision in time to communicate with applicants in their next recruitment cycle about fee levels (where these will be subject to a fee limit) and the student support that will be available.

Quality and standards requirements

On 2 March 2022 the OfS published its intention to impose two new initial conditions of registration and four new ongoing conditions of registration.

The new initial conditions of registration B7 and B8 apply to applications for registration made on or after 1 May 2022.

Transitional arrangements apply to applications for registration which were live at any time between 1 March 2022 and 30 April 2022. The implementation arrangements are set out in the Notice of determination of initial and general ongoing conditions of registration.

Quality and standards assessments where the old initial conditions apply

Where a provider has submitted its application for registration before 1 May 2022 and is subject to the old initial conditions of registration it will be required to have a Quality and Standards Review undertaken by the designated quality body (DQB).

The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) is the DQB and has published its guidance on the Quality and Standards Review (QSR).

Quality and standards assessments where the new initial conditions apply

Where a provider submits its application for registration on or after 1 May 2022 it will be subject to the new initial conditions of registration and will be required to have an assessment of quality and standards.

We will publish information about the assessment method for the new initial conditions of registration in due course.

In the meantime, providers wishing to apply for registration may continue to do so by following the existing registration guidance and submitting the evidence required for the other conditions of registration. We will advise providers of the submission requirements in relation to the new initial quality and standards conditions in due course.

Contact us

For any queries please contact [email protected].

Last updated 01 May 2022 + show all updates

01 May 2022: Changes to quality and standards requirements are now in effect
02 March 2022: Information published about changes to quality and standards requirements from 1 May 2022
16 December 2020: Update to the latest information about applying to register with the OfS.
23 April 2020: Note added about registration applications during the coronavirus pandemic

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