Ofsted took over the job of inspecting universities in April 2021. 

Up until then, the education inspection watchdog was only responsible for quality assurance in apprenticeships up to level 5, while the Office for Students inspected all degree apprenticeships, namely levels 6 and 7. 

Calls to promote greater consistency across all levels of apprenticeship, though, led to the DfE making universities and other HEIs part of Ofsted's remit.  

At that time, more than 50 universities had started offering degree apprenticeships, including a number of Russell Group establishments. That figure has since doubled, with programmes particularly popular in fields like engineering, professional construction, law, and business.  

And the quality has been impressive. Ofsted's statistics show that most universities providing degree apprenticeships are delivering top-tier training. Independent analysis reveals that 88% of those fully inspected have been rated 'good' or 'outstanding,' reinforcing the growing appeal of this pathway among learners, educators, parents, and employers alike. 

Why was the change introduced?  

For many years universities had been inspected completely differently compared to other education providers. They had their own quality standards and assessment procedures, so when degree apprenticeships became part of their offer, they carried on as they always had done.  

Some people felt, however, that level 6 and 7 programmes were not being regulated by OfS, the Office for Students, in the same way that Ofsted inspected lower-level apprenticeship, so the DfE made them Ofsted's responsibility.  

Moving forward 

Ofsted continues to play a prominent role in inspecting universities, although at some stage the controversial single judgement ratings, scrapped in state schools in September 2024, will also no longer be used to rate HEIs. 

Instead of being marked as 'outstanding,' 'good,' 'requires improvement' or 'inadequate,' they will be judged on the quality of education, behaviour, personal development and leadership.  

Quality assurance, though, in whatever way it's rated, remains key - and with it, the need for HEIs and universities to be audit ready when an Ofsted inspector visits. 

Want to know more about Ofsted inspections and how Onefile can help you uphold quality standards? Download your free Ofsted guidance pack today!