University title

We recommend that providers contact us at an early stage to discuss eligibility, evidence requirements, likely timescales and advice on how to proceed. Please email [email protected]. 

Providers should submit an application form through the OfS portal, setting out whether it is applying for university college or university title and what its preferred new name is.

Annex B of our university title guidance sets out the information required and how to download and submit the form.

We will consider applications alongside our existing risk assessment for the provider to determine its suitability for university college or university title.

For university title applications, we will use student number data to determine whether the provider meets the student number requirement (as set out in paragraph 285 of the regulatory framework).

As part of the assessment, we will normally run a consultation to assess the extent to which the provider’s proposed name is or has the potential to be misleading or confusing. This provides an opportunity for relevant people or organisations to share their views.

The type of consultation undertaken by the OfS and the number and type of organisations targeted by the consultation will vary depending on the context of the provider. For example, this may include:

• students and their representatives at the institution
• providers delivering similar courses
• providers in a similar geographical location
• organisations involved with the provider, such as local emergency services.

If we require any further information throughout the assessment process, we will contact the provider where necessary.

If a provider’s application is successful, we will write to it to formally consent to the proposed name, after which the provider can take the relevant steps to change its name (for example, through Companies House if it’s a registered company).

If a provider’s application is unsuccessful, we will write to it confirming this and set out the reasons for our decision.

A provider may reapply for university title or university college title if it can demonstrate that it has addressed the reasons for any previous unsuccessful application.

We normally publish decisions relating to providers’ applications for university title our website.