How we regulate further education colleges
Registering with the OfS as a further education college
Registering with us enables colleges to access public funding and student support funding, and sponsor international students, among other benefits.
Conditions of registration
To register – and stay registered – colleges will need to show they meet our conditions of registration.
From 9 July 2026 colleges do not have to meet the full set of conditions. Following a consultation, we have disapplied some conditions in areas where the Department for Education already has oversight to reduce duplication. Some conditions also only apply if the college has, or is applying for degree awarding powers.
You can read the full text of each condition in our regulatory framework.
|
Condition of registration |
Applies to colleges with (or applying for) degree awarding powers |
Applies to colleges that do not hold (or are not applying for) degree awarding powers |
|---|---|---|
|
A1: Access and participation plan |
Yes – for Approved (fee cap) providers changing fees above the basic amount |
Yes – for Approved (fee cap) providers changing fees above the basic amount |
|
A2: Access and participation statement |
No |
No |
|
B1: Academic experience |
Yes |
Yes |
|
B2: Resources, support and student engagement |
Yes |
Yes |
|
B3: Student outcomes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
B4: Assessment and awards |
Yes |
Yes |
|
B5: Sector-recognised standards |
Yes |
Yes |
|
B6: Teaching Excellence Framework participation |
Yes, if the provider fulfils eligibility requirements and meets headcount and indicator thresholds |
Yes, if the provider fulfils eligibility requirements and meets headcount and indicator thresholds |
|
B7: Quality |
Yes |
Yes |
|
B8: Standards |
Yes |
Yes |
|
C1: Guidance on consumer protection law |
Yes |
Yes |
|
C2: Student complaints scheme |
Yes |
Yes |
|
C3: Student protection plan |
Yes (only for providers registered before 28 August 2025) |
Yes (only for providers registered before 28 August 2025) |
|
C4: Student protection directions |
No |
No |
|
C5: Treating students fairly |
Yes |
Yes |
|
D: Financial viability and sustainability |
Yes |
No |
|
E1: Public interest governance |
Yes |
No |
|
E2: Management and governance |
Yes |
No |
|
E3: Accountability |
Yes |
Yes |
|
E4: Notification of changes to the Register |
Yes |
Yes |
|
E5: Facilitation of electoral registration |
Yes |
Yes |
|
E6: Harassment and sexual misconduct |
Yes |
Yes |
|
E7: Effective governance |
Yes |
No |
|
E8: Prevention of fraud |
Yes |
No |
|
E9: Fit and proper persons |
Yes |
No |
|
E10: Subcontractual arrangements |
Yes |
Yes |
|
F1: Transparency information |
Yes |
Yes |
|
F2: Student transfer arrangements |
Yes |
Yes |
|
F3: Provision of information to the OfS |
Yes |
Yes |
|
F4: Provision of information to the DDB |
Yes |
Yes |
|
G1: Mandatory fee limit |
Yes |
Yes |
|
G2: Compliance with terms and conditions of financial support |
Yes – if an Approved (fee cap) provider or an Approved provider in receipt of financial support from either the OfS or UKRI |
Yes – if an Approved (fee cap) provider or an Approved provider in receipt of financial support from either the OfS or UKRI |
|
G3: Payment of OfS and designated body fees |
Yes |
Yes |
Further education colleges (with or without degree awarding powers) do not have to meet:
- Condition C4 (Student protection directions)
- Condition A2 (access and participation statement).
Condition A2 was disapplied in July 2026, following consultation.
Following consultation, further education colleges that do not hold, and have not made an application for degree awarding powers, no longer have to meet the following conditions of registration:
- Condition D (financial viability and sustainability)
- Conditions E1 and E2 (public interest, governance and management)
- Conditions E7, E8 and E9 (governance, fraud and individuals).
These matters are already overseen by the DfE.
Colleges with degree awarding powers, or applying for them, remain subject to conditions D, E1, E2, E7, E8 and E9.
How to register
Colleges should follow our guidance on how to register with the Office for Students.
Before proceeding with a registration application, colleges can talk to us in a pre-application call. Contact [email protected] to arrange this.
After registering
After a college has successfully registered with us, we monitor compliance against relevant conditions of registration on an ongoing basis. Read more about monitoring and intervention.
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