Franchise arrangements for higher education providers
From the 2028 to 2029 academic year, higher education providers with 300 or more franchised students must be registered with the Office for Students.
Applies to England
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From the 2028 to 2029 academic year, higher education (HE) providers delivering courses through franchise arrangements will need to be registered with the Office for Students if they have 300 or more franchised students.
This guidance is for HE providers that are delivering any course at level 4 or above, including postgraduate courses (level 7 and above). It does not apply to apprenticeships, or students studying for modules or credits only.
It should be read alongside the government’s response to the consultation on strengthening oversight of HE partnership delivery: Franchising in higher education.
Updates to this page
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Updated the postgraduate doctoral and master’s degree loans section in 'Franchise arrangements for higher education providers' to account for the introduction of regulations on franchising.
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Added a link to the Education (Student Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, which came into force on 19 May 2026.
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Added section on 'Postgraduate doctoral and master’s degree loans'.
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First published.