Programme Handbook 2023/24

Aerospace Engineering
AEE-2020
WELCOME

Welcome to Blackpool and The Fylde College and to the Aerospace Engineering (AEE-2020)
programme.

This Programme Handbook aims to provide you with the key information you will need to settle into
and get the most out of your programme of study here at the College leading to successful completion
of your programme. It will provide you with an overview of the programme content, how individual
modules are organised and delivered, how and when you will be assessed and how overall grades final
results are determined. In addition, there is information on the help and general support available to
you as well as making it clear what you need to do if you should encounter any specific difficulties in
progressing as planned on the programme.

Student Life (the student information portal)

Whether you're on campus or at home, use Student Life to access all of your B&FC services and
develop your academic skills. Student Life provides an overview of the College partners and how they
will support you on your journey, alongside key information on College facilities, student representation
and events you can get involved in. Information about term dates, travel to college and attendance
expectations can also be found on Student Life.

It is strongly recommended that you refer to your Programme Handbook and Student Life to ensure
that you get the most out of the time you will have invested in participating in your valuable and
hopefully enjoyable learning experience.

We appreciate that, as students, for materials to be fully accessible you may have a preference for a
specific font size or colour of text/paper. To ensure that your needs are considered this handbook is
available electronically and Immersive Reader tool can be selected to help you explore the information
on Student Life.

Apprenticeship Information

If you are studying an apprenticeship programme with us, you may also find the information set out in
our Apprenticeship Strategy 2020/2025 useful. It's located on our website here.

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GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR PROGRAMME
Programme Title Aerospace Engineering
Teaching Institution Blackpool and The Fylde College

Professional, Statutory and Regulatory

Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
Body (PSRB) Accreditation

Language of Study English

Programme Awards
Award Award Type Level Awarding Body
Foundation Degree (240
LU Foundation Degree in Engineering Level 5 Lancaster University
credits)
LU Bachelor of Engineering with Honours Honours Top-up Degree
Level 6 Lancaster University
(Top-up) (120 credits)
Honours Degree (360
LU Bachelor of Engineering with Honours Level 6 Lancaster University
credits)

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THE FRAMEWORK FOR HIGHER EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS (FHEQ)
The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) ensures the comparability of Higher
Education qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The framework describes the
achievement represented by qualifications and the various awards which may be granted by a Higher
Education provider with degree awarding powers. All students pursuing Higher Education programmes
at Blackpool and The Fylde College are awarded qualifications aligned to the FHEQ upon successful
completion of their programme.

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PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

The Aerospace Engineering FdEng and BEng (Hons) degree programme is unique in the education
sector as in has been developed in partnership with industry leaders, creating an industry relevant
degree education that will continue to be developed and partnered through wider industry consultation,
ensuring that these courses continue to be industry specific and high quality.

The degree qualification is awarded by Lancaster University, which has been consistently been ranked
in the top 10 in recent years by UK league tables and in the top 150 worldwide by the main global
rankings.

The course explores the complex world of aerospace engineering from a holistic perspective, creating
the engineers of the future. Your skills will be developed in systems engineering approaches, technical
competences covering electrical, electronic and mechanical systems, aerodynamics, propulsion,
avionics, airframe, software, design, engineering project management, and aircraft principles. You will
also develop an appreciation of the through life complexities of the aerospace business including how
to support environmental and operational changes to aircraft platforms once they are delivered to the
customer.

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PROGRAMME AIMS
To enable graduates to maximise their engineering skills, knowledge and behaviours to enhance
career development and new career opportunities, the following aims are defined for the programme:

- To provide the opportunity to gain skills, knowledge and confidence to apply proven engineering
principles, technological techniques, applications and methods in the workplace.

- To develop relevant study, personal and employability skills so that students progressively take
responsibility for their own learning to become independent learners.

- To explore new developments in the field of engineering research and advanced technologies
resulting in proficient engineers with a robust foundation and framework in engineering.

- To acquire knowledge, analyse and evaluate new developments in the sector as they emerge and to
apply these appropriately to their chosen specialist field.

- To provide the opportunity to gain transferable knowledge and skills to enable full engagement of
design, research, development, construction, management and maintenance of engineering systems.

- To produce professional engineers who have the capacity to work at high levels within the
engineering sector, producing sustainable outcomes for the success of the industry and to take
responsibility for lifelong learning for successful career development.

- To provide the opportunity to gain a critical and informed awareness of contemporary issues,
legislation, problems and opportunities afforded by a focus upon engineering in recognition of the
impact of the demands of industry.

- To provide academic, technical and personal development through a variety of learning experiences,
in particular, the development of communication skills and capability of critical analysis, problem
solving, the presentation and justification of rational argument and alternative courses of action.

- To facilitate the opportunity to pursue the level of study which will help develop skills such as to
critically review, consolidate and extend a systematic and coherent body of knowledge.

- To be able to critically evaluate concepts and evidence from a range of sources; transfer and apply
diagnostic and creative skills and exercise significant judgement in a range of situations; accepting
accountability for determining and achieving personal and/or group outcomes.

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PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES
Level 5
Upon successful completion of this level, students will be able to:
1. Critically analyse essential facts, concepts, theories and fundamentals of engineering disciplines
underpinned by scientific and mathematical principles.
2. Apply knowledge and skills to the wider multidisciplinary aerospace engineering context and its
underlying principles.
3. Evaluate the social, environmental, ethical, economic and commercial considerations that affect
engineering decisions and judgement.
4. Use and apply quantitative science and engineering tools to the analysis of engineering problems.
5. Provide solutions to identified engineering problems in order to formulate creative designs,
products and services.
6. Demonstrate industry standard engineering skills through laboratory and workshop activities in
design, analysis and simulation.
7. Problem solve, communicate and work collaboratively with others and independently to develop
innovative ideas and new ways of thinking to support the development of business practices and
knowledge.
8. Critically apply effective IT and digital skills to develop planning and teamwork which support
lifelong learning and continuing professional development.
9. Effectively work in teams, managing tasks and resources to meet changing technical and
managerial needs which support continuous quality improvement.
Level 6
Upon successful completion of this level, students will be able to:
10. Critically apply specialist engineering principles and knowledge to extend technological capability
and knowledge base through new applications and techniques.
11. Interrogate aerospace engineering problems using a sound evidence base to contribute to
improved effectiveness of engineering products, systems and services supporting through life
sustainability.
12. Independently plan, manage and execute a technically and theoretically informed extended
enquiry, which analyses engineering problems, proposes engineering solutions, broadly deepens
knowledge and skills base and critically evaluates outcomes.
13. Critically analyse and evaluate complex engineering systems and their interdependencies through
the application of systems thinking via analysis of the wider engineering context.
14. Design, develop and implement procedures to undertake engineering tasks, identify problems and
develop solutions through critical evaluation.
15. Critically appraise individual work, and the work of others and communicate this to a variety of
audiences.
16. Critically apply ethical principles to sustainable professional practices in an aerospace
engineering context which recognise obligations to society, the profession and the environment.

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PROGRAMME STRUCTURE & ASSESSMENT OVERVIEW
Pathway Module Level Credits Coursework Practical Written Exam
Stage 1: Year 1
AEE405: Aircraft Design and Performance
4 20 50% 50%
(Mandatory)
B4SCAEE: Engineering Practice and
Professional Development 4 20 60% 40%
(Mandatory)
E401: Analytical Methods
4 20 40% 60%
All (Mandatory)
E402: Engineering Principles
4 20 40% 60%
(Mandatory)
E403: Design Engineering
4 20 100%
(Mandatory)
E404: Materials for Manufacturing
4 20 50% 50%
(Mandatory)
Stage 2: Year 2
Stage exit award: LU Foundation Degree in Engineering
(Awarded by Lancaster University)
AEE505: Aerodynamic Principles
5 20 40% 60%
(Mandatory)
AEE506: Aircraft Propulsion
5 20 40% 60%
(Mandatory)
E501: Major Project
5 20 85% 15%
(Mandatory)
All
E502: Engineering Management
5 20 100%
(Mandatory)
E503: Actuation Systems
5 20 50% 50%
(Mandatory)
E504: Structural and Dynamic Analysis
5 20 40% 60%
(Mandatory)
Stage 3: Year 3
Stage exit award: LU Bachelor of Engineering
(Awarded by Lancaster University)
AEE604: Systems Engineering
6 20 40% 60%
(Mandatory)
AEE605: Avionics and Electrical Systems
6 20 40% 60%
(Mandatory)
E601: Dissertation
All 6 40 90% 10%
(Mandatory)
E602: Engineering Professional
6 20 85% 15%
(Mandatory)
E603: Control and Simulation
6 20 40% 60%
(Mandatory)

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WHERE WILL I STUDY?
This programme may be studied at B&FC Energy HQ
Should you require further information, please taken a look at Student Life.

GETTING STARTED
At the start of your course, your tutors will guide you through an initial induction which is designed to
ease you into university life and higher level studies. Activities generally focus on helping you to find
your feet, make friends and plan your studies. It can also traditionally be the time when students get to
let their hair down and familiarise themselves with both the College and the local area before getting
down to the more serious business of studying.
GRADUATE SKILL DEVELOPMENT
The College provides many opportunities for students and apprentices to develop graduate skills whilst
studying their programme. For further information please visit the graduate attributespage of Student
Life.
WHEN WILL I BE ASSESSED?
At the start of your programme you will be given an assessment schedule which details the deadlines
for the assessments in all the modules you will be studying. This will help you to plan your work
effectively. Your tutors understand that you have lots of commitments so will always try to spread the
assessments out as much as they can, although inevitably many will come towards the end of each
semester.

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HOW WILL MY WORK BE MARKED OR GRADED?
The majority of your assessments will be awarded a letter grade as outlined in the table below. Some
of your assessments may however be assessed by percentages, which are converted into an
aggregation score. Some assessments may also be identified as pass/fail assessments. Such
assessments must be successfully passed in order to pass the module, however the aggregate score
for the module will be derived from other assessments which are graded.

Further information is available in the My College area of Student Life and can also be accessed
through this link: Higher Education Regulations and External Examiner Reports

Aggregation
Category Grade Grade Description
Score

A+ 24 Exemplary range and depth of attainment of intended learning

outcomes, secured by discriminating command of a comprehensive
Excellent
A 21 range of relevant materials and analyses, and by deployment of
Pass
considered judgement relating to key issues, concepts and
A- 18 procedures

B+ 17
Conclusive attainment of virtually all intended learning outcomes,
Good clearly grounded on a close familiarity with a wide range of
B 16
Pass supporting evidence, constructively utilised to reveal appreciable
depth of understanding
B- 15

C+ 14
Clear attainment of most of the intended learning outcomes, some
Satisfactory
C 13 more securely grasped than others, resting on a circumscribed range
Pass
of evidence and displaying a variable depth of understanding
C- 12

D+ 11
Acceptable attainment of intended learning outcomes, displaying a
Weak qualified familiarity with a minimally sufficient range of relevant
D 10
Pass materials, and a grasp of the analytical issues and concepts which is
generally reasonable, albeit insecure
D- 9

Attainment deficient in respect of specific intended learning

Marginal
F1 7 outcomes, with mixed evidence as to the depth of knowledge and
Fail
weak deployment of arguments or deficient manipulation

Attainment of intended learning outcomes appreciably deficient in

Fail F2 4 critical respects, lacking secure basis in relevant factual and
analytical dimensions

Attainment of intended learning outcomes appreciably deficient in

Poor
F3 2 respect of nearly all intended learning outcomes, with irrelevant use
Fail
of materials and incomplete and flawed explanation

No convincing evidence of attainment of any intended learning

Very poor
F4 0 outcomes, such treatment of the subject as is in evidence being
Fail
directionless and fragmentary

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What if I experience circumstances which mean I will not be able to complete an assessment?
The Personal Mitigating Circumstance (PMC) procedure gives you the opportunity to inform the
College of serious medical or personal circumstances, which you believe, have affected your academic
performance in an adverse way before the meeting of the Board of Examiners.

For further information please visit our regulations page and take a look at B1 - Personal Mitigating
Circumstances and Interruption of Study.

What if I miss a deadline?

Managing your time effectively is a key graduate skill and you are therefore encouraged to plan your
programme workload alongside your other commitments. If you fail to meet an assessment deadline, it
will be penalised, for example, College and Lancaster University regulations state that, work submitted
up to three days late will receive a penalty of one full grade and zero (non-submission) thereafter.
Other awarding bodies have different rules, please ask your programme leader for more information.

What happens if I fail a module/unit?

Most students/apprentices pass their work, but if your mark for an individual module is less than the
minimum pass grade you will be referred on that module. This means that you will have to be
reassessed in the relevant work, however a second attempt will be subject to a penalty as specified
within the academic regulations for your programme.

Where Personal Mitigating Circumstances are approved, this will typically prevent any penalties being
applied and usually allow the work submitted to be marked as a first attempt.

Moderation
All work that you submit for assessment is marked by your module tutor. A suitable sample is then
selected to be moderated by another tutor. This is to ensure that the mark awarded is reliable and not
just the judgement of one marker. All of the work you submit is retained by the College to assist our
external examiners in the quality assurance of your programme. This may mean that the results you
receive during the year may change and should therefore be considered provisional.
External Examiners
Every higher education programme has its own External Examiner whose role is to support the
academic staff team in ensuring that the standard of your programme of study is comparable to other
programmes in that subject discipline. The External Examiner will confirm that the work that you have
produced is of a standard that is expected and identifies any issues that the academic staff team needs
to take into account to continually improve the programme. The External Examiner also feeds back on
the key strengths that make your programme a really effective and valuable learning experience.

External Examiner Reports for your programme can be accessed through the My College area of
Student Life and through this link: Higher Education Regulations and External Examiner Reports

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Board of Examiners
Once a module is complete, the marks for all assessments are compiled together to create an overall
module mark.

The module board of examiners sits at the end of each semester to consider modules in scope. Your
overall marks for the year are considered by a programme board of examiners that will make
recommendations regarding your progression between levels, reassessment and eventually the award
of your qualification. Most programmes at the college run an academic year between September and
June. Reassessment work will therefore normally be completed during the summer months and
submitted by the end of July (the precise date is set by the board).

The board of examiners sits again prior to the start of the next academic year in September where the
results of any summer reassessment work will be considered.

Where programmes fall outside of the standard academic year, the timing of the board identified above
may vary, however the general process remains the same.

PARTNERS FOR SUCCESS

The Partners for Success framework outlines how staff, students and the wider college community
work to provide a seamless network of support to enable all students to achieve their potential.

Studying at higher education level can mean quite a life change, particularly if you have to juggle study
with work, have caring responsibilities while studying or have to move away from home. You may also
be returning to study after a long break and feel unsure exactly what to expect.

Please take time to review the more detailed information available through this link.

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Your Progress Tutor and the programme delivery team
Here at Blackpool and The Fylde College, every higher education student is enrolled onto the Power to
Progress Canvas course at the start of each level of their programme. Power to Progress includes core
and elective modules designed to develop the academic, digital, professional and personal skills to
help you succeed on your course and beyond. When you have completed a module, you will learn
points towards final digital badges to demonstrate your knowledge and skills.

Your Progress Tutor and the other Partners for Success will be available to support you in completing
the Power to Progress online content. You will work at your own pace and reflect regularly on your
progress. Your tutors will encourage creativity and originality of thought that will help you to gain a
better understanding of the subject discipline helping you to achieve your potential and experience high
levels of success.

As part of Power to Progress you will have at least two one-to-one progress meetings each academic
year. These meetings are an essential component of the B&FC Partners for Success framework, which
aims to support your personal and academic development,
to maximise your opportunities for success.

To get the most out of Power to Progress you should aim to:
• Complete the core modules in the suggested order
• Move onto elective modules that reflect your needs and interests when your core modules
are complete
• Complete the relevant preparation for your one-to-one progress meetings
• Attend at least two one-to-one meetings each academic year
• Develop and deliver on your action points
• Self-refer to and engage with B&FC Partners where necessary
• Revisit modules to refresh knowledge where necessary
• Use feedback to plan your next pieces of work and set personal and academic targets for
future learning activities

Student Support, Wellbeing and Inclusion

If your ability to study is affected by a disability, sensory loss, learning difference or health conditions
(physical or mental), we are here to help.

The Student Support, Wellbeing and Inclusion team offer a range of support tailored to you to promote
independence and maximise your potential through a range of enhanced study, mental health and
wellbeing strategies.

• Disability Support:
▪ For general enquiries email [email protected]
▪ Phone: 01253 504494
▪ Drop in: to the University Centre Room CH215
• Wellbeing Support
For general enquiries please email [email protected]
▪ Phone: 01253 504494
▪ Drop in: to the University Centre Room CH215

If you require further information please view the details on Student Life.

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Learning Resource Centres
Whichever campus you study on, the Learning Resource Centres (LRCs) will play an important part in
your studies. Our newly refurbished flexible learning spaces can provide you with a mixture of
computer, group work and quiet study areas, with access to Wi-Fi, on -site daily laptop loans and a vast
range of resources. You should make maximum use of this facility to log-on to a device, access printing
and copying facilities or ask our LRC Advisers for help and advice.

More information on all the services our centres provide please visit here.

HE Learning Mentors (HELMs)

What the HELMs do

Academic development: the team has lots of resources to help you to improve your essay planning,
critical analysis and editing skills
Coaching sessions to establish what your goals are and how you will reach them
Hacks to save time and stay organised
Individualised action plans so that you achieve the best outcomes you can
English support to develop your grammar, punctuation and writing skills
Valuable feedback: students who have used the HELM service have seen the quality of their work
improve
Employability: all of the skills you develop with your HELM will help you to reach your career goals
How the HELMs can help you

Any student studying a higher education course can access the HELM team and its study resources.
The HELMs work with students in a number of different ways so that they can achieve targets, develop
confidence and improve advanced skills to reach the highest marks possible, more information is
available here.

Student's Union
The Students’ Union (SU) at B&FC is your union. It’s made up of students that you elect each year,
who listen to the student voice and respond to your wants and needs. The SU represents students on a
range of issues, including equality and diversity, education and social activities, with the aim of
ensuring your time here is as interesting and enjoyable as possible. Please take a look at the SU
website for more information.

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ABSENCE REPORTING
If for whatever reason, including ill health, you are going to be absent from College then you will need
to ensure that you make contact with us to discuss how we can support you. This is particularly
important if your absence could have a significant effect on your assessment requirements. Should
this be the case then you will need to consider the College Personal Mitigating Circumstances
procedure the full version of which is available at the link below.

https://www.blackpool.ac.uk/he-regulations

Any personal mitigating circumstances, such as ill health, which may have affected your studies or
performance in assessments and examinations, would need to be submitted to the HE Student
Administration Manager [email protected] formally by you with supporting
evidence, e.g. a medical certificate, following the procedures and in accordance with the deadlines laid
down in the College’s Personal Mitigating Circumstances Policy.

In the event that you are unable to attend an examination because of illness or other unforeseen
circumstances, you must immediately inform your programme leader before the start of the
examination. If you are absent from the whole or part of an examination because of illness, a Personal
Mitigating Circumstances application form together with a valid medical certificate or other appropriate
independent documentary evidence must be forwarded to the HE Student Administration Manager
normally within ten working days of the examination.

STUDENT IDENTITY CARD

You must wear your ID badge at all times whilst on College premises. Access to College facilities is
dependent on Students having their ID badge. You will also be asked to show your ID badge when
sitting exams. You will be challenged if you are not wearing your badge when on College premises.
This is to help students and staff feel safe in College.
GETTING INVOLVED IN THE QUALITY OF YOUR PROGRAMME
At Blackpool and the Fylde College we believe that you are a member of our higher education and
College community and as such your views and experiences are extremely important to us. We want
to work in partnership with you to ensure that your experience is the best that it can be both for you and
others who study with you. To this end we work hard to engage all students in dialogue about the
quality of their learning experiences. You can engage by providing useful feedback on your
experiences of modules through Module Evaluation Questionnaires, through being an elected
programme representative attending student forums and college meetings and through surveys such
as the Post-induction survey and the National Student Survey (NSS).

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ACADEMIC APPEALS
An academic appeal is a procedure which allows you in certain circumstances to ask for a review of a
decision relating to your academic progress or award. You can ask for a review of a decision by one of
the following:

• A Board of Examiners, both Module and Programme Boards.

• A Personal Mitigating Circumstances Panel
• An application to the College
• An Academic Malpractice Panel

It should be noted that students may only appeal against a decision if they can show that they satisfy
one or more of the grounds detailed in the academic regulations. The appeal process cannot be used
to challenge academic judgement or appeal simply because you disagree with the marks you have
been given.

An academic appeal is different from a complaint so appeals and complaints are looked at under
different procedures. A complaint is dissatisfaction about the provision of a programme or academic
service or facility or any other service provided by the College.

Students studying either a:

• Blackpool and The Fylde College Programme
• Lancaster University Validated Programme
• Scottish Qualifications Authority Programme (SQA Advanced Certificates/Diplomas)
• BTEC Higher National Programme

To lodge an academic appeal, you must do so by submitting your appeal within 10 working days of the
publication of your results or decision of a panel either by writing to the HE Academic Registrar, park
Road, Blackpool, Lancashire, United Kingdom, FY1 4ES or by email to:
[email protected]

The Academic Appeals regulations and application pro-forma can be found on The Blackpool and The
Fylde College website https://www.blackpool.ac.uk/he-regulations

COMPLIMENTS, COMPLAINTS AND FEEDBACK

Blackpool and the Fylde College welcomes feedback from all its students and is committed to
improving the quality of the services it provides; we are committed to openness and transparency by
providing well publicised and accessible information on how to give feedback or make a complaint.

Compliments, complaints and feedback will be dealt with courteously, fairly and objectively.

We hope that you will never have cause to do so but if you wish to raise a complaint (or you wish to
compliment us or provide feedback) please take a look at our Compliments, Complaints and Feedback
Procedure which is located on our website here: https://www.blackpool.ac.uk/college-policies

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GRADUATION
Our annual higher education awards event is a spectacular occasion, representing the culmination of
masses of dedication and hard work, and the gateway to an exciting and rewarding future.
The graduation ceremonies will take place at the Winter Gardens and Opera House, 97 Church Street,
Blackpool, Lancashire, England FY1 1HL. Please note that graduation events are held separately for
Fleetwood Nautical Campus graduands, details will be provided by your Programme Leader.

Blackpool and the Fylde College’s Awards Ceremonies are a part of the celebration of your
achievement and we hope you will be able to attend. You will need to budget for the cost of guest
tickets, academic dress and photography. Awards Ceremonies are held each year at the Winter
Gardens. If you attend the Awards Ceremonies we publish the names and awards of all graduates in
the Awards Ceremony booklet and in a graduation supplement in the local press. If you do not wish
your name to appear, you must contact Student Administration to inform us. We will print the name we
have recorded for you on your degree certificate, so it’s important that you tell us in advance of any
spelling or other changes. After we have printed the certificate we will not be able to change it for you.

This is a very special day for all our graduates and their friends and families and is a marvellous
opportunity to share and celebrate your academic achievement and accomplishments.

For up to date information on your graduation ceremony please visit:

https://www.blackpool.ac.uk/graduation or contact the Graduation Team via email at
[email protected].

THE OFFICE FOR STUDENTS

The Office for Students (OfS) is a non-departmental public body of the Department for Education,
acting as the regulator and competition authority for the higher education sector in England. They set
out certain conditions of registration. For more information about how the College meets these
conditions please visit our web page.

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