Our subscription model is designed to reflect the diversity of our membership and, to a lesser extent, the number of complaints about a provider, through a core subscription fee and a case-related element.
All providers pay a core subscription. For most providers this is based on student numbers (see Core subscription fee rates below for more information).
Core subscription levels are reviewed annually. There has been an upward trend over several years in the number of complaints coming to us, including the significant increase in 2023, and with the many pressures in the sector we expect this will continue. While we have made efficiency gains and to some extent we have been able to absorb increases in recent years, our costs remain strongly linked to the size of our caseload. At the same time we are acutely aware of the significant financial challenges facing the higher education sector. Our Board carefully considered the resource needed to deal with our caseload whilst being mindful of the financial pressures in the sector, and agreed an increase in core subscription fee rates for 2023 of 9.0% for all types of provider.
Some providers also pay a case-related element of the subscription. “Points” are allocated to each complaint we receive, and each subscription band has a points threshold. The case-related element is payable when the number of points allocated to complaints received about the provider in the previous year exceeds the band’s points threshold. The number of points above the threshold determines the fee. The points allocated to a case are based on whether it is not eligible for us to review, or is settled or withdrawn before it goes to full review, or is fully reviewed. This maintains the vital principle that there should be no link between the outcome of eligible cases and the amount of any fee paid.
In 2023 we completed our review of the case-related element of subscriptions, to make sure that it continues to operate as fairly as possible for all providers. Feedback from providers suggested that the arrangements were broadly operating fairly but that there was a need to recognise the general increase in the volume of complaints. In light of this our Board agreed to raise the points threshold for each band (increasing the number of points that can be incurred before case fees are payable) by 10% for cases received from 2024. The Board also agreed a small increase in the per point fee from £240 to £250. Both changes will affect case fees payable in 2025.
More details of our subscriptions arrangements can be found on our website.
Core subscription fee rates for 2023 (pro-rated for providers joining the OIA Scheme part way through the year)
| Student numbers |
Band |
Core subscription fee (£)
|
Core subscription fee (£)
(HE in FE providers)
|
| Up to and including 200 students |
AA |
519 |
363 |
| 201 to 500 students |
A |
1,072 |
750 |
| 501 to 1,500 students |
B |
2,163 |
1,514 |
| 1,501 to 6,000 students |
C |
11,630 |
8,141 |
| 6,001 to 12,000 students |
D |
23,075 |
16,153 |
| 12,001 to 20,000 students |
E |
38,355 |
26,849 |
| 20,001 to 30,000 students |
F |
57,977 |
40,584 |
| 30,001 to 50,000 students |
G |
68,898 |
48,229 |
| 50,001 to 100,000 students |
H |
84,784 |
59,349 |
| More than 100,000 students |
I |
130,265 |
91,186 |
Core subscription fee rates for 2024 (pro-rated for providers joining the OIA Scheme part way through the year)
| Student numbers |
Band |
Core subscription fee (£)
|
Core subscription fee (£)
(HE in FE providers)
|
| Up to and including 200 students |
AA |
566 |
396 |
| 201 to 500 students |
A |
1,168 |
818 |
| 501 to 1,500 students |
B |
2,358 |
1,650 |
| 1,501 to 6,000 students |
C |
12,677 |
8,874 |
| 6,001 to 12,000 students |
D |
25,152 |
17,607 |
| 12,001 to 20,000 students |
E |
41,807 |
29,265 |
| 20,001 to 30,000 students |
F |
63,195 |
44,237 |
| 30,001 to 50,000 students |
G |
75,099 |
52,570 |
| 50,001 to 100,000 students |
H |
92,415 |
64,690 |
| More than 100,000 students |
I |
141,989 |
99,393 |
The core subscription fee for 2023 for the following providers was £303 (£330 in 2024):
- Providers of School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITTs)
- Providers that are brought into membership of our Scheme because their designated HE provision is franchised from another provider, and (if they are based in England) they are not on the OfS Register
- Providers in England that are not on the OfS Register but are providing a course leading to an award of another member of our Scheme that is in England.
