With all the issues UK higher education is currently facing, you’d think that changing the name of your provider would be at the bottom of any list of priorities.
So far 2023–24 has seen six declared intentions to change, with every chance of more to follow.
A part of what we are seeing is the comparatively new visibility of the process – since the advent of the Office for Students the smoke-filled rooms of the Privy Council have been replaced by the transparency and publicity that an OfS consultation can afford.
But we also have to ask – why?
The regulator’s role in provider name changes is one of a whole range of new powers conferred by the Higher Education and Research Act 2017. The best description of the way things currently work can be found in OfS’ own regulatory framework and guidance – somewhat confusingly within the sections devoted to new providers seeking to gain university title.
