OIAHE
My OIA

Statement on ALRA

It has been announced that ALRA (Academy of Live and Recorded Arts) has closed.

We understand that this is a very difficult and upsetting situation for students and staff. We are working with the Office for Students and others to support work to consider and as far as possible address the needs and concerns of students.

We have published information for ALRA students.

Felicity Mitchell, Independent Adjudicator said:

“This news will have come as a shock to students who were expecting to continue their studies at ALRA. We hope that students are able to transfer to the alternative study options that are being offered, but the closure will still cause significant uncertainty and disruption to the students involved and it is important that they are supported as effectively as possible.”

When a provider closes, students can be left without adequate remedy for the impact on their studies. Affected students can complain to us, but possible remedies for any complaints we uphold are likely to be very limited, especially in circumstances where there is no realistic possibility of financial compensation. We continue to believe that there is a need for some form of sector-level provision so that financial compensation is available for students in this position.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

For further information please contact Sarah Liddell, Head of Leadership Office, mediarelations@oiahe.org.uk, 0118 959 9813.

  1. St Mary’s University, Twickenham validates almost all the courses offered by ALRA, and is providing information and support to ALRA students.
  2. The Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA) is the independent student complaints ombuds for higher education in England and Wales. It is the designated operator of the student complaints’ scheme under the Higher Education Act 2004.
  3. Our Scheme is free to students, and has been designed to be accessible to all students, without the need for legal representation.
  4. If we decide that a complaint is Justified or Partly Justified we will normally make Recommendations to the higher education provider which might include practical remedies and/or paying some compensation to the student.
  5. We have a wide remit to review student complaints about higher education providers in England and Wales, as set out in our Scheme Rules.