The Prevent duty – a guide for students

Universities and colleges must have measures in place to prevent people being drawn into terrorism.

This is part of the government’s Prevent duty.

We are responsible for monitoring whether eligible universities and colleges in England are complying with the duty.

What do universities and colleges have to do?

We expect universities and colleges to:

• have policies and procedures in place to prevent people from being radicalised into supporting or committing acts of terrorism - this should include a risk assessment
• ensure that staff are trained sufficiently to know what to do should a concern arise.

Universities and colleges must also ensure they are securing free speech when carrying out their Prevent responsibilities.

What can you expect?

You may hear about Prevent at induction events, or read about it in student handbooks, through your student portal or on your university or college’s website. Student representatives may be provided with further information at relevant meetings.

Your university or college should make you aware of:

• how you can report concerns about someone you think might be being radicalised (this is usually the same process used for reporting any safeguarding concerns)
• how to use IT systems safely and what process to follow if you need to conduct sensitive research in your studies, if applicable.

What does the OfS do?

We check eligible universities and colleges’ policies and procedures to ensure that they are sufficient to understand and manage risks of radicalisation and that they are being implemented effectively.

Eligible universities and colleges include:

• universities and colleges registered with the OfS
• universities and colleges not registered with the OfS but have over 250 higher education students
• universities and colleges designated for student support
• autonomous colleges and halls of Oxford, Cambridge, and Durham universities. 

We monitor in England only. Scotland and Wales have their own monitoring authorities and Northern Ireland is not currently subject to the Prevent duty.

Ofsted, rather than the OfS, is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Prevent duty by further education or sixth-form colleges.

When to contact the OfS

We do not have a direct role in dealing with individual disputes between a student and their university or college in relation to the Prevent duty. Nor do we take the place of the police if you feel a serious matter is not being addressed.

You can contact us if you think that a university or college is failing to follow their own policies and procedures in relation to the Prevent duty.

If this is happening at your university or college, you can raise a 'notification' with us.