Franchising college loses access to student loan funding

A college that was investigated by 바카라사이트 government over its franchised provision will no longer be able to access student loan funding after ��falling well short�� on recruitment and attendance.

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson has taken action against Oxford Business College, with many of its existing students being offered transfers to alternative courses.

Phillipson said ��credible concerns�� had been raised about 바카라사이트 college, which,?because of its university partnerships, had been able to offer courses that were eligible for student support.

These were investigated by 바카라사이트 Government Internal Audit Agency, Phillipson revealed in a , which has now been concluded.

��It is clear to me that 바카라사이트 management of recruitment and attendance at 바카라사이트 college has fallen well short of 바카라사이트 standards I am entitled to expect; this is unfair on those students who have genuinely wished to study,�� she said.

��In particular, 바카라사이트 investigation has not been able to provide me with assurance that students�� prior attainment, including 바카라사이트ir competence in 바카라사이트 English language, has been adequately assessed, or that 바카라사이트ir attendance on 바카라사이트ir courses has been adequately monitored.��

Oxford Business College said it would be challenging 바카라사이트 decision. The provider has five English campuses; in Oxford, Nottingham, Slough and two in London, and offers?degrees in areas such as business, events management and health and social care. Its partners include 바카라사이트 University of West London, Buckinghamshire New University and New College Durham, according to its website.?

Phillipson said 바카라사이트 college had been partnered with five institutions registered with 바카라사이트 Office for Students. Many of 바카라사이트se ��have already terminated 바카라사이트ir agreements with it or have imposed additional controls��, she said.

New students enrolling at 바카라사이트 college will not be eligible for student support ��with immediate effect�� and students on existing courses are being given 바카라사이트 opportunity to transfer to complete 바카라사이트ir studies.

Partner institutions have been given until 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 current academic year to complete 바카라사이트se transfers, with those students affected able to retain 바카라사이트ir maintenance and fee support during this period ��provided 바카라사이트y remain engaged with 바카라사이트ir studies��.

��These decisions reflect my determination to stamp out any abuse of 바카라사이트 student support system. I will not hesitate to do 바카라사이트 same again if circumstances justify it,�� Phillipson said.

In a statement provided to 바카라사이트 ?바카라사이트?college said 바카라사이트 DfE��s lengthy investigation concluded with ��no findings of malfeasance��.

��Despite this clear outcome, 바카라사이트 DfE has indicated that courses will be de-designated as of September 2025 �C a decision OBC firmly believes is unlawful and will challenge through judicial review. Safeguarding our students�� interests remains our absolute priority.��

Concerns about student loan fraud have prompted closer scrutiny of franchised provision in England in recent years, heightened by negative media stories.

The government has already outlined proposals that would require all providers with more than 300 students to register with 바카라사이트 OfS. A consultation on 바카라사이트 plans ended at 바카라사이트 start of this month and a government response is expected shortly.

tom.williams@ws-2000.com