Recommendation 17

DfE told us that even if a provider could not meet all the registration criteria it might still be a good franchisee. DfE recognised, equally, that if providers do not pass that threshold, it would be right to question them providing a service for students.41 DfE told us that it is actively considering whether to impose additional controls, such as requiring all providers to be registered with OfS.42 Universities UK, in written evidence, broadly 33 Q21 34 C&AG’s Report, para 15 35 Qq18, 53, 59 36 Q57 37 Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (ISL0003) 38 Qq56, 71 39 Qq71–72 40 Q54 41 Q59 42 Qq37–38, 56 Student loans issued to those studying at franchised higher education providers 13 supported this proposal, saying that this additional regulatory oversight would provide further assurances, not only to students and the public, but also to universities when they are looking to identify providers to work with.43