The incredible machine

How the OfS will rate every provider – and what each rating means

01 Risk

Assessment cycle

Round one: UG only, within three years. Then every:

5 yrsGold
4 yrsSilver
3 yrsBronze, Satisfactory
2 yrsEveryone else

Round two adds PGT and others

OfS risk assessment

  • Five unpublished categories
  • Enhanced assessment or investigation
  • Full TEF eligibility

Enhanced assessment

Alongside TEF or baseline: more submissions, maybe a site visit

02 Route

TEF
2 weeks to decide
Enter TEF?if the data allows
Baseline

03 Evidence

Both routes

Student experience

Benchmarks 50%NSS – six themes Submissions 50%Provider, plus student (TEF only)

Student outcomes

Absolute thresholds 25%Continuation 25%Completion Post-study, benchmarked 50%Salary (LEO, three years) Graduate-level employment (GO) Use of skills (GO)

04 Judgement

80%of a student group must fit a rating – the rule of thumb on splits

Expert panel

Academics, students and OfS staff

Representations

Bottom two ratings only. Two grounds:

  • Procedural irregularity
  • New data that changes the indicators
28 days

05 Outcome

Two ratings, no overall verdict. Published September to January.

TEF
Baseline
What follows*
Gold
–

Outstanding

Silver
–

High quality

Likely: access to OfS funding, inflation-linked fee rises, and the right to apply for degree awarding powers and university title
▲ Funding, and can apply for DAPs and uni title
Bronze
Satisfactory

Meets the minimum

Recruitment limit, from round two
Requires improvement
Unsatisfactory

Below the minimum

Recruitment cut from round one, plus further regulatory action

*Where both aspects get that rating