Our New Provider Service (NPS) offers specialist advice and guidance to providers in England* wishing to register with the Office for Students (OfS). This includes readiness to meet the baseline expectations for academic quality and standards in the OfS Conditions of registration (B7 and B8).
The service draws on QAA’s unique experience and knowledge gained as the Designated Quality Body (DQB) in England from 2018-23. As DQB, QAA undertook assessments of the quality and standards of providers that were seeking registration with the OfS, to help inform the OfS’s regulatory decisions. QAA is proud to have over 25 years of unmatched expertise designing and operating assessments across the UK.
We can support providers making new applications for registration, as well as those who applied before 1 May 2022 and are subject to a Quality and Standards Review (QSR). This support can be for new providers currently with or without students, or those with a history of higher education delivery looking to develop a credible plan to meet the conditions of registration.
With a choice of four modules, the service has been specially designed to be flexible, proportionate, and responsive to your specific needs. Let us help you in your journey to achieve OfS registration. Watch our video to find out more.
Benefits include:
- Access to QAA experts with extensive experience and knowledge of what is required to achieve OfS registration.
- Specialist support in understanding assessment processes and the initial conditions of registration including specific evidence requirements.
- Choice of tailored modules focusing on B7, B8 and QSR, and a comprehensive mock assessment.
- Identification of potential risks or gaps in academic policies, procedures and evidence.
- Detailed written reports, with clear recommendations and next steps.
Our modular approach
We offer a choice of modules which can be tailored to your individual provider’s needs. Within each module, you can expect to receive:
Quality and Standards Review Support - QSR
- Focused scoping discussion with a QAA expert to understand and identify individual requirements.
- Support to understand QSR processes including the specific evidence requirements.
- Identification of risk and potential gaps in academic policies, procedures and evidence relating to QSR.
- Written report with recommendations and next steps.
Registration Quality Support - Condition B7
- Focused scoping discussion with a QAA expert to understand and identify individual requirements.
- Support to understand assessment processes including the specific evidence requirements for Condition B7 and the Quality Plan.
- Identification of risk and potential gaps in academic policies, procedures and evidence relating to the B7 assessment.
- Written report with recommendations and next steps.
Registration Standards Support - Condition B8
- Focused scoping discussion with a QAA expert to understand and identify individual requirements.
- Support to understand assessment processes including the specific evidence requirements for Condition B8.
- Identification of risk and potential gaps in academic policies, procedures and evidence relating to the B8 assessment.
- Written report with recommendations and next steps.
Mock Assessment Activity
- Focused scoping discussion with a QAA expert to understand and identify individual requirements.
- A simulated assessment process to help understand the timelines, evidence submission requirements and any on-site review activity (focusing on either B7, B8 or QSR).
- Attendance by QAA experts at institutional events to observe and advise on internal quality mechanisms.
- Written report with recommendations and next steps.
Contact us
To find out more about
what’s included, and to register your interest, contact our dedicated QAA Team
who will be happy to help.
*This service is designed for providers who are, or intend to become, a higher education provider registered in England. QAA cannot provide this service for providers based in the other nations of the UK, as this would conflict with QAA’s existing role to provide formal assessments in those nations.