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OIA and SUMS Consulting (SUMS) publish - Putting students first: Managing the impact of higher education provider closure 

We have today, in collaboration with SUMS, published the findings of a cross-sector study examining how higher education (HE) providers navigate challenging financial circumstances, specifically market exit. The focus of the study was how to reduce the impact of provider closure on students.

Front cover of the SUMS report along with the logos of the OIA and SUMS

SUMS provided pro bono support, bringing their expertise in supporting student services and change management. Combined with our experience of student complaints during provider exits, this created an opportunity to approach the issue from both a practical and student-centred perspective. The Committee of University Chairs were part of the project’s steering group, ensuring provider governance perspectives were built into the work from the outset.   

The study gathered insights from university leaders, students’ unions, experts, and those who have dealt directly with closures. The scope of the study is English HE providers, but it is anticipated that the framework and the learning is applicable to Welsh and other HE providers. There are two key outputs from the study:

  • Part One: In the report, SUMS explores what happens during closure, brings together lessons collated from the study, includes case study examples, and makes recommendations for government, regulators, and providers on potential changes needed.
  • Part Two: The framework is a practical, Excel-based checklist of key actions providers may consider taking to mitigate the risk of market exit and, if this is undesirable or unavoidable, to help manage closure.

Charlotte Corrish, Head of Public Policy, said:  

“Ensuring students are protected during a provider closure should be paramount. We hope that this work will allow for honest and open conversations about market exit, both within and between providers. We see it as a resource that will evolve and support other initiatives. It’s vital that we all understand that student protection isn’t just a compliance issue - it has a very direct impact on the experiences of students in higher education, and we must all be ready.” 

ENDS

Notes to Editors

For further information please contact us at mediarelations@oiahe.org.uk, 0118 959 9813.

  1. The OIA is the independent student complaints ombuds for higher education in England and Wales. Our Scheme is free to students. We have a wide remit to review student complaints about higher education providers in England and Wales, as set out in our Scheme Rules. Students have up to 12 months to bring their complaint to us, after the internal processes at their provider have been completed.
  2. SUMS Consulting is a membership, not-for-profit organisation and registered charity, owned by member universities. They work side-by-side with their members, clients and partners, to help them be better, more effective organisations. The Report and Framework can be found on our website .
  3. We have broad experience in handling student complaints in relation to market exit scenarios and have published learning and guidance based on these for both students and providers.
  4. You can find further information about the Scheme and our work at https://www.oiahe.org.uk/.