Watchdog to investigate ‘franchise student’ provision at Leeds Trinity

Office for Students reviewing courses by subcontractors amid concerns of potential loan abuse and poor education standards

England’s higher education regulator is to launch its first investigation into “franchise students” enrolled on university courses run by subcontractors, amid concerns about poor quality and potential abuse of student loans.

The Office for Students (OfS) said it is investigating how 6,500 students are taught under franchise by subcontractors of Leeds Trinity University, saying it will look at whether the courses are of high quality and whether Leeds Trinity has “effective management and governance in place” for overseeing its partners.