#2026/581Postgraduate student loan rules updated for franchised providers in England
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
The rules for postgraduate master’s and doctoral student loans in England are being updated to tighten how courses delivered through franchised or partner providers qualify for support. The changes draw a clearer line between courses run directly by registered higher education providers and courses delivered on their behalf by other institutions. The main practical effect is a transition period. Courses delivered by registered or unregistered providers on behalf of a registered provider can still qualify before 1 September 2028. From that date, franchised courses will need to be delivered by “qualifying franchised providers” to stay within the student support system. Higher education providers that use franchise or partnership models should check whether their delivery partners meet the new requirements before the 2028 deadline.
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Key Changes
- Adds the concept of a “qualifying franchised provider” to postgraduate doctoral loan rules.
- Creates a transition period for courses delivered on behalf of registered providers before 1 September 2028.
- Requires franchised postgraduate courses starting on or after 1 September 2028 to be delivered by qualifying franchised providers to remain eligible for student support.
Obligations
What this law requires
Registered higher education providers in England that offer postgraduate doctoral or master's courses through franchise or partner delivery must ensure that, for courses starting on or after 1 September 2028, the course is delivered by a qualifying franchised provider if the course is to remain eligible for postgraduate student support.
Providers may only rely on the transitional route for postgraduate courses delivered by registered or unregistered providers on behalf of a registered provider in England where the course start date is before 1 September 2028.
Institutions situated outside the United Kingdom cannot qualify a postgraduate course for support merely by delivering it on behalf of a registered provider in England, unless the amended designated-course conditions expressly permit that arrangement.