Consultation on New Condition C6 for Student Consumer Protection in Higher Education

OfS proposes stronger protections for students to ensure institutions are treating them fairly

Published on

16 Apr 2026

The Office for Students (OfS) is consulting on a new approach to consumer and student protection that would help ensure students get the value for money and higher education experience promised to them by their institutions.

The proposals include a new ongoing condition of registration (C6) that would require every registered university or college to treat its students fairly in relation to its higher education provision and the services that support it.

The condition would also require institutions to publish a set of documents on their websites that explain their student protection arrangements, including student contracts, policies related to course changes, information on complaints, refunds, and compensation, and information about agents that work on behalf of an institution. These documents would need to be clear and accessible to students.

The proposals have been informed by recent polling conducted by Public First on behalf of the OfS, which found only half (50 per cent) of students said that they understood and could describe their rights and entitlement.

The consultation will close on 9 July 2026, and the OfS is expecting to publish its final decisions in autumn 2026.

Jean Arnold, OfS Interim Director of Quality and Access, said:

‘Higher education has the power to transform the lives of students, and they make a major investment of time and money to reap the benefits it can bring.

‘Like anyone buying goods or services from a business, students are protected by consumer law, and it’s essential that they can rely on clear information about what their courses will offer, and that the education they receive aligns with those commitments. These protections aren’t just for lectures and exams; they also apply to the other services that make up a rich and rewarding higher education environment, such as libraries and accommodation.

‘While most students will have a positive higher education experience, our research shows that many feel that their institutions are not delivering what was promised. Today’s proposals would help us meet our ambition for every student to get the good outcomes, fair treatment, and value for money they deserve.

‘Many universities and colleges are already providing clear, honest information about fees, modules, teaching staff and programme structure and are working hard to continuously drive improvements in the quality of education. At a time of national conversation about the cost of higher education, we think these new requirements could help ensure every institution lives up to our sector’s excellent reputation.

‘We’ve developed these proposals in collaboration with students and the sector, and we want to know if they think we have got it right. We’re keen to hear from anyone with an interest in consumer and student protection, and in particular, students, staff, and leaders of institutions of all types and sizes.’
Read and respond to the consultation Attend one of our consultation briefings

Published 16 April 2026

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