The Office for Students has “begun to refer cases to National Trading Standards” where it thinks English higher education institutions “may not have complied with the law” on consumer protections, according to the head of the sector regulator.
Susan Lapworth was due to make the comments in an online event discussing an OfS report on how students’ rights are protected by consumer law, published on 15 June.
Students’ consumer rights include “the provision of clear information about courses; transparent and fair terms and conditions in student contracts; and accessible and fair complaint-handling procedures”, the report says.
The moves may concern universities already angered by the OfS’ approach to regulation and imposition of additional requirements.
