PART 1INTRODUCTION

1Overview of this Act

1

This Act has eight Parts.

2

This Part contains an overview of the Act.

3

Part 2 makes provision about fee and access plans. It deals with—

a

the contents of a fee and access plan, including a fee limit;

b

failure to comply with a fee limit or other requirement included in a fee and access plan;

c

the validity of certain contracts;

d

the monitoring of fee and access plans.

4

Part 3 makes provision about the assessment of the quality of education provided by or on behalf of institutions that have a fee and access plan, including provision about—

a

powers available for the purposes of assessment;

b

steps that may be taken by HEFCW in respect of education of inadequate quality.

5

Part 4 makes provision about the preparation and publication of a code relating to the organisation and management of the financial affairs of institutions that have a fee and access plan, including provision about—

a

compliance with the code;

b

powers available for the purposes of monitoring compliance with the code, and in the case of failure to comply with the code.

6

Part 5 makes provision for circumstances in which—

a

HEFCW may refuse to approve a new fee and access plan for an institution;

b

HEFCW must, or may, withdraw their approval of an institution’s fee and access plan.

7

Part 6 makes procedural provision about notices and directions given by HEFCW (including provision about the review of certain notices and directions).

8

Part 7 makes supplementary provision about functions of HEFCW, including provision relating to guidance, reports, information and advice.

9

Part 8 contains general provisions, including provision about—

a

the exercise of powers to make regulations;

b

the interpretation of terms used in the Act.

10

That Part also introduces a Schedule containing amendments to existing enactments and transitional provision.