ISI accepts applications from colleges offering education provision at Level 3 (approved on the Regulated Qualifications Framework) and English language courses at Level B2 and above (approved on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
English colleges wishing to sponsor students on courses at Level 4 and above should contact the Office for Students who are the Educational Oversight body for higher education.
A college applying for Educational Oversight must:
- be based in England or Wales
- be privately funded or have a separate privately funded provision
- have provided courses for UK students: for a continuous period of at least two years, and one of those courses must meet the Home Office requirements for students on Student visas and be full time (15 hrs + per week)
- provide evidence of address
- Undergo a financial sustainability check
All schools/colleges with Educational Oversight will now be required to complete a financial sustianability check only at the following times:
- at the start of a four-year cycle when they have a full Educational Oversight inspection (please note a failed inspection restarts the four-year cycle), or
- when there has been a change in their financial status which could adversely affect educational activities.
Information required for ISI to undertake a financial sustainability
All schools/colleges must supply the following information:
- latest statutory financial information they have filed with Companies House*
- current year’s budget plan and Management accounts showing performance against the college’s annual budget plan
- cash flow projection for the next two years (from the date of inspection) and supporting commentary.
*From now on, only those schools/college who are legally obliged to produce audited accounts for their own financial reporting will be asked to submit them as part of their financial sustianability check. Those schools/colleges who are not legally obliged to produce audited accounts will be asked to submit the documents they file with Companies House e.g. abbreviated accounts and the Directors’ statement.
Optional supporting information
Schools/colleges may submit additional supporting information to explain their financial position.
Possible request for further information
ISI may request additional information to help us better understand a college’s financial position.
Financial information to the Home Office
A summary of your college’s financial information will be produced by ISI and submitted to the Home Office with your Educational Oversight report. You will have the chance to check the financial summary when you receive your report for a factual accuracy check.
Monitoring inspections and financial declaration
As explained above colleges are only required to complete a financial sustainability check check when they have a full Educational Oversight inspection or when there has been a change in their financial status.
At other times during the four-year cycle when monitoring inspections take place, schools/colleges must complete a short declaration as part of their annual data return confirming there has been no change in their financial position which could adversely affect educational activities at their college. Where there is a change, then a financial sustainability check will be carried out and a summary sent to the Home Office.
New colleges
New applicants will have a financial sustainability check when they apply for an Educational Oversight inspection.
New applicants should submit information from the last two financial years as part of their application.
Applications for Educational Oversight can now be made all year round.
Colleges must have been established and operational for at least two years at the time of applying.
Apply here
Colleges whose applications are approved will undergo an inspection approximately six months after a successful application.
For further information or queries please contact pfe@isi.net or call 0207 710 9908.