OfS simplifies its requirements for further education colleges to minimise regulatory burden

Further education colleges that provide higher education courses and are registered with the OfS are subject to regulation by both the Department for Education (DfE) and the OfS. To reduce unnecessary duplication where the DfE already has robust regulatory oversight, the OfS is disapplying five of its initial conditions of registration and four general ongoing conditions of registration. 

FECs will also no longer be required to publish an access and participation statement, as the DfE already requires colleges to demonstrate how they will address barriers to participation, support disadvantaged learners, and improve outcomes for underrepresented groups

Today’s announcement follows wider reforms to the OfS’s registration process, to enable it to register institutions that are well-prepared to enter the regulated higher education sector more efficiently. The reforms were announced in August 2025 and include new initial conditions of registration relating to treating students fairly and effective governance.

Interim Director of Quality and Access at the OfS, Jean Arnold said

‘With the changes we have announced today, we’re making it simpler for FECs to take up their crucial role in the regulated higher education sector. In doing so, they will be able to give their students confidence that they will meet the same high expectations we have for all institutions to deliver high quality teaching and learning, student protection, and support.

‘It’s important that we have high standards for every institution that wants to register with us and access public funding – but the way we regulate shouldn’t get in the way of further education colleges offering students a flexible and diverse route into higher education.

‘During the consultation, we received clear support for the principle that these changes should not be conflated with a lowering of expectations or standards for FECs. We’re committed to working collaboratively with them and others to support a cohesive regulatory environment and foster a thriving higher education ecosystem that continues to improve.’

Notes

1. The Office for Students is the independent regulator for higher education in England. Our strategy for 2025 to 2030 seeks to ensure that students from all backgrounds benefit from high quality higher education, delivered by a diverse, sustainable sector that continues to improve.
2. Read our explainer page for FECs and their governing bodies.
3. In line with its original proposals, the OfS is not disapplying condition A1. This means all institutions charging tuition fees above the basic amount, including FECs, must continue to maintain and adhere to an OfS-approved access and participation plan.
4. The changes will take immediate effect for all registered FECs without DAPs (or without a live DAPs application). There are no immediate steps for these institutions to take. The changes also apply to all colleges with applications for OfS registration submitted on or after today, or those that applied since the consultation opened in December and have made bespoke arrangements with the OfS.
5. Find out more about our reforms to OfS registration requirements.