Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the rating of degree courses as gold, silver or bronze will also apply to those private colleges offering higher education degrees.

Private colleges offering higher education degrees can participate in the Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF) if they meet the eligibility requirements. From the 2019-20 academic year, TEF will be a condition of registration for providers with more than 500 students on higher education courses. Smaller providers, for whom the cost of participation might be disproportionate, may participate on a voluntary basis if they meet the eligibility criteria.