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<p>From the start of the pandemic, the higher education (HE) sector has put in significant
resources and worked hard to provide learning materials and minimise the disruption
to students. There have been some innovative and resourceful approaches to deliver
high-quality learning online, and we welcome the huge amount of time and resources
universities and other HE providers have devoted to ensuring that online teaching
is of the high quality expected by students, Her Majesty's Government, and the Office
for Students (OfS). Since early January, we estimate that 19% of students were on
courses in scope for a return to face-to-face learning, and from 8 March 2021 this
proportion increased to 49%. From 17 May 2021, all students have been able to return
to in-person learning.</p><p>As autonomous institutions with a range of specific circumstances,
we expect HE providers to make their own judgments to facilitate the return of students
for face-to-face teaching, whilst following the latest public health guidance. We
expect providers to continue work alongside local authorities and other agencies to
put appropriate plans in place to control and manage any local outbreaks and to minimise
transmission of COVID-19.</p><p>If students have concerns about their tuition, including
the return to in-person teaching, there is a process in place. They should first raise
their concerns with their university. If their concerns remain unresolved, students
at providers in England or Wales can ask the Office of the Independent Adjudicator
for Higher Education to consider their complaint. We expect providers to ensure that
continuing and prospective students receive the clear, accurate, and timely information
they need to make informed decisions. Whilst the OfS does not get involved in student
complaints, students can notify it of issues which may be of regulatory interest to
it. The OfS uses this information as part of its regulatory monitoring activity and
keeps HE providers under review to ensure that they comply with the ongoing conditions
of registration. The OfS has produced a guide for students to support them in this
process. This is available here: <a href="https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/for-students/ofs-and-students/notifications/"
target="_blank">https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/for-students/ofs-and-students/notifications/</a>.</p>
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