This page provides further information about requirements the University and its courses must meet which are set by external bodies. This includes accreditation standards and thresholds, and national requirements set by the Office for Students.
In 2017, the Higher Education and Research Act established the Office for Students (OfS) as the higher education regulator in England. The OfS’s regulatory framework requires higher education providers to register with the OfS, and registered providers must meet a number of conditions. Cambridge University registered with the OfS in July 2018. The OfS monitors whether the University meets conditions of registration on an ongoing basis by using lead data indicators, by evaluating changes or events reported by the University, and by considering student and whistle blower complaints.
OfS conditions of registration
The OfS has a number of conditions of registration that all courses of higher education are required to demonstrably align with for regulatory purposes. These are listed in its Regulatory Framework. Those that most directly relate to education quality are condition B1 - B6, C1 - C4, E2, and F2:
- B1: Academic Experience
- B2: Resources, support and student engagement
- B3: Student outcomes
- B4: Assessment and awards
- B5: Sector-recognised standards
- B6: Teaching Excellence Framework participation
The University made a submission to the Teaching Excellence Framework in January 2023 and will receive the outcome in the autumn.
- C1: Guidance of Consumer protection law
- C2: Student complaints scheme
- C3: Student protection plans
The University published a student protection plan in 2018.
- C4: Student protection directions
- E2: Management and governance
- F2: Student transfer arrangements
Departments and faculties must be familiar with these conditions and ensure that they demonstrably comply with these conditions in the design, development, approval and delivery of programmes. Contact your EQPO liaison officer if you have any questions about (aligning with) the conditions of registration.
Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs)
Faculties and departments may have links with the professional, regulatory, and/or statutory body for their subject area, for example: the General Medical Council (GMC) or Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). These bodies accredit and/or regulate these programmes for professional certification and in some cases, for entry into the profession.
Reports from PSRBs provide useful feedback about teaching, learning and assessment and faculties and departments respond to feedback in the manner specified by the PSRB, which forwarding a copy of their reports to the Education Quality and Policy Office who provide it to the Academic Standards and Enhancement Committee for review. Faculties and departments should ensure that they have effective mechanisms for responding to reviews and keeping abreast of any new requirements of the PSRB introduced between visits.
The Education Quality and Policy Officers are happy to provide support to faculties and departments at any stage of the accreditation process; please contact us if you would like to discuss this further.
Quality Assurance Agency (QAA)
While the QAA no longer reviews higher education in England, it continues to provide a range of key resources for the development, management and review of higher education. Key reference points includes:
In addition, the University has a 'membership' account with QAA giving staff and students further access to their resources. University members can create a membership account on the QAA website.