UK Government proposes “Crackdown” on uni franchising

• Concerns about fraud and the caliber of higher education providers have prompted the UK government to announce plans to strengthen laws governing university franchising agreements. Subcontracting courses to outside providers is made possible by franchising although recent studies have found flaws in this system. In the fiscal year 2022–2023 some franchised providers engaged in fraudulent activities that cost taxpayers £2 million according to an investigation by the National Audit Office. 

• To ensure course quality the Department of Education is responding by enacting reforms that require course operators with more than 300 students to register with the Office for Students (OfS). Fines or suspension may result from noncompliance. Significant risks have been identified by the OfS in the current franchise arrangements such as academic misconduct, lowered entry requirements and fabricated language tests.

• Franchised courses now make up more than 5% of students, a significant increase. Although these initiatives can provide universities with affordable options and access to underprivileged students the OfS highlights the need for better governance and oversight. 

• Universities UK acknowledges these problems and reaffirms its dedication to upholding high standards of education by implementing a governance framework that takes into account current worries. 

• As part of their stabilization approach the authorities plan to adjust college tuition rates based on inflation from 2025–2026 onwards. In order to defend public funds and maintain the higher education system of the United Kingdom these government measures have been implemented.