Regulation - EdCentral

With the current state of higher education in England, the newly appointed CEOs of the Office for Students (OfS) are going to have a great deal to do when they start in June 2026.

Performance metrics are meant to improve universities. But when metrics become targets, they can start to reshape the behaviours they are supposed to measure.

Start now to build the digital capability evidence your TEF 2027 submission will depend on, beginning with your next student intake.

The UK government’s decision to introduce restrictions on children’s access to social media marks a significant moment in the evolution of online safety policy.

New statutory guidance to restrict mobile phone use in schools announced, as Education Minister sets out her priorities.

Social media ban: Implications for schools

The debate is raging over whether Kier Starmer’s social media ban will be effective – and whether it is enforceable. Meanwhile, the implications for schools are unclear.

Revised TEF ‘unfairly penalises smaller institutions’

New English quality framework over-reliant on data to measure student experience, critics fear.

New restrictions on mobile phones in schools in Wales announced

National statutory restrictions on mobile phones in schools have been announced by the new boss of education in Wales.

Social media ban cautiously welcomed by school leaders

Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X will all be inaccessible to under-16s under government plans, but messaging apps such as WhatsApp will be permitted.

Prime Minister announces social media ban for under-16s

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced a social media ban for children aged under 16 which is expected to come into force next spring.

Teens react to Starmer’s UK social media ban for under-16s: the ‘right thing’ but ‘unlikely to make much difference’

Young people have said banning under-16s from social media is “the right thing to do” but have shared worries about how effective the new laws will be.

Starmer announces social media ban for under-16s as part of sweeping reforms

Social media ban for under-16s ‘watershed moment for child protection’ | The Standard Britain announces sweeping social media ban for under-16s | Reuters 'More clarity' needed over social media ban, says children's minister | STV

Nearly half (45 per cent) of the children surveyed in a new report from researchers at LSE and the University of Oslo said age-based restrictions on social media would not make them feel any safer online.

Smith: OfS ‘shouldn’t back off’ from free speech issues

Skills minister says regulator could have handled Sussex investigation better but ‘lessons have been identified’.

Bloomsbury Institute suspended from recruiting overseas students

Private provider temporarily blocked from international recruitment amid UKVI probe as seven universities face visa action plans.

Russell Group warned over ‘divisive’ support for entry thresholds

New leader of research-intensive grouping says ‘challenging conversations’ needed but critics urge united front against political attacks.

What changes in regulatory culture might follow from the University of Sussex’s High Court victory over OfS?

The recent High Court ruling on free speech has larger implications for how the sector in England is regulated.

Following a consultation, the Office for Students is introducing a new quality assessment system to provide students with a clear view of the quality of teaching and learning delivered by every registered university and college.

Independent research published by the OfS finds that undergraduate students in their first year of university or college are largely positive about their accommodation. It suggests that accommodation costs were a significant factor in deciding where to study for most students,...

OfS green-lights three-year student caps for TEF poor performers

Regulator scraps overall ratings after consultation on revamped exercise but commits to plans to limit growth at bronze providers.

Housekeeping and higher education regulation

When university metrics backfire: what REF, TEF and NSS can learn from academic gaming behaviours

Act now: building digital capability as evidence for TEF 2027

UK social media ban: tech restrictions for teens can’t be the only approach

Guidance to restrict mobile phones in schools announced as education priorities set out

Social media ban: Implications for schools

Revised TEF ‘unfairly penalises smaller institutions’

New restrictions on mobile phones in schools in Wales announced

Social media ban cautiously welcomed by school leaders

Prime Minister announces social media ban for under-16s

Teens react to Starmer’s UK social media ban for under-16s: the ‘right thing’ but ‘unlikely to make much difference’

Starmer announces social media ban for under-16s as part of sweeping reforms

Social media bans risk excluding children from important opportunities rather than tackling harms, new report finds

Smith: OfS ‘shouldn’t back off’ from free speech issues

Bloomsbury Institute suspended from recruiting overseas students

Russell Group warned over ‘divisive’ support for entry thresholds

What changes in regulatory culture might follow from the University of Sussex’s High Court victory over OfS?

OfS announces revised Teaching Excellence Framework to drive up education quality for students and reward excellence

OfS research finds over eight in ten students are satisfied with their accommodation

OfS green-lights three-year student caps for TEF poor performers