Office for Students
About This Funder
The Office for Students (OfS), established in 2018 under the Higher Education and Research Act, serves as the independent regulator for higher education (HE) in England, succeeding the Higher Education Funding Council for England and Office for Fair Access. Its core mission is to ensure every student, regardless of background, enjoys a fulfilling HE experience that boosts their lives and careers, emphasizing access, success, progression, quality, standards, and student protection. Guided by values of equality of opportunity, rigorous standards, and enabling regulation, the OfS uniquely blends oversight with targeted funding to drive providers beyond minimum compliance, prioritizing student voice, sector resilience, and innovative pathways amid challenges like financial pressures and inclusivity gaps.
The OfS funds initiatives enhancing student outcomes, including support for underrepresented groups, teaching excellence, mental health services, harassment/sexual misconduct prevention, consumer rights, and high-cost subjects like medicine, allied health, and STEM. It backs degree apprenticeships, higher technical qualifications, flexible HE routes, academic support, and infrastructure for strategic priorities, often via recurrent or capital allocations aligned with government goals, benefiting students and HE providers.
Eligibility is strictly limited to registered HE providers in England's Approved (fee cap) category—typically universities and colleges—not open to unsolicited applications from charities or smaller entities. Funding occurs through competitive bidding rounds or formula-based allocations (e.g., linked to student numbers), with online forms submitted during fixed windows like the 2025/26 capital grants (12 June–30 July). Grants range from hundreds of thousands to millions (e.g., £72.75m total in recent rounds), with 2-4 month decisions; no rolling deadlines or religious restrictions apply. Distinctively, it excludes non-HE purposes and grassroots groups, focusing on large-scale, regulated impact for resilient, equitable HE.
Frequently Asked Questions about Office for Students
How much funding does Office for Students provide?
Grant amounts vary. Contact Office for Students directly for current funding levels.
Is Office for Students accepting applications?
Yes, Office for Students is currently open to applications from eligible charities.
Where does Office for Students fund charities?
Office for Students funds charities operating in England.
How do I apply for funding from Office for Students?
Use Fundermatcher to check if your charity is a good match for Office for Students, then access detailed application guidance, deadlines, and eligibility criteria. Our AI assistant can help you draft a compelling application.