BNU is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity. All teaching at OBC has now stopped and resumed at the new sites at Nottingham and Oxford as planned from Monday 1 September, 2025.

All students who wish to re-enrol must pass the IELTS test successfully in order to receive ongoing student funding.

Yes – all students will still need to meet the IELTS requirements.  

Yes, please still take the IELTS test. We still need all students to meet the IELTS requirements to continue your studies with BNU. 

No, the extended IELTS booking deadline, which was communicated to all students, has already passed. Therefore, we are unable to offer any further tests. 

This is a decision based on academic integrity and the requirement to uphold the standards of UK HE. BNU needs to be certain that all students have the necessary skills, including English language, to meet the requirements of the course. In light of the concerns raised about the standard of some students’ English, all students who wish to continue their studies are still required to complete and pass the IELTS test.

All teaching will be from the new BNU sites from Monday 1^st September.  

• Our Oxford Site will be located within Ruskin College, Ruskin Hall, Dunstan Road, Old Headington, Oxford, OX3 9BZ

• Our Nottingham Site will be located at 292 Haydn Road, Nottingham, NG5 1EB
  

Your teaching start date will depend on your intake and your teaching days. 

Teaching will commence in the following weeks dependent on your intake.  

• February Intake – w/c 1^st September 2025 

• May Intake - w/c 15^th September 2025 

• September Intake - w/c 22^nd September 2025 

No. All teaching for BNU students previously taught at OBC will now take place at BNU sites in Oxford and Nottingham.

Yes, you can return to your studies, provided you have met the IELTS requirements.

Interruption or deferral is possible depending on your year of study and intake.  

While we would need to look at each student individually, generally: 

• L6 students - can interrupt their studies and return to the same programme on either the BNU Nottingham or Oxford site. 

• L5 students - can interrupt their studies and return to the same programme on either the BNU Nottingham or Oxford site. 

• L4 students - due to the current programmes being "taught out" students cannot interrupt and re-join the current provision. Alternatively, students who are looking to interrupt could instead withdraw and reapply when they are in a position to return, but they will NOT be able to return to the same programme on either the BNU Nottingham or Oxford sites. 

• There is also the potential for students in the May or Feb intakes to move to a later intake, but this will have significant student finance implications. Advice will need to be sought from the BNU Registry Team by emailing Nottingham@bnu.ac.uk / Oxford@bnu.ac.uk

• All students will be required to complete an IELTS either before, during or after their interruption depending on the period of interruption.

Yes, you can return to your studies. However, you will still need to meet the IELTs requirements, and we will need assess how much study you have missed and what options are available for you to catch up on missed studies.

All BNU programmes previously taught by OBC will no longer be available at OBC. You will need to speak with OBC to find out if they have any suitable and funded courses for you. You will need to withdraw from BNU or will automatically be withdrawn if you do not re-enrol within the required timeframes. 

Students will need to have met IELTS requirements and follow re-enrolment guidance to get their funding released as normal.

As part of the de-designation and transition process, we worked with the SLC to temporarily pause all SLC payments for September 2025, until we were confident about who would be enrolling with BNU from 1 September. Students will need to have met IELTS requirements and follow re-enrolment guidance to receive their student funding payments. 

This is incredibly important to BNU, and we are focusing on transparency, academic flexibility, and robust student support.  

We will continue with open communication. Our regular meetings with student reps, sending out clear and consistent email updates, and having a dedicated FAQs page on the University website and student portals will ensure you are kept up to date.  

We have dedicated Student Hub staff based at each site. This provides students with specific, easily accessible point of contact for all student queries related to the transition.

BNU will be running orientation and induction activities as part of the move to the new sites. Students will be able to access BNU student support services (disability, wellbeing, careers and employability, Students’ Union and much more).

BNU is required by the Office for Students to publish an updated Student Protection Plan which outlines how it will ensure the impact of unforeseen events on students’ studies is minimised. BNU is therefore both required and committed to ensuring that students can progress their studies going forwards.

Our Oxford Campus will be:
Ruskin College, Ruskin Hall, Dunstan Road, Old Headington, Oxford, OX3 9BZ

Our Nottingham Campus will be:
BNU Nottingham, 292 Haydn Road, Nottingham, NG5 1EB

Students can choose to study at either the Nottingham campus or Oxford campus, depending on their current location.  

The OBC campus won’t be open after 31st August 2025, and therefore you will have to transfer to the new campus. When you transfer to your new campus, we will endeavour to avoid changes to the days you study and your class groups. Before you transfer from 1st September, please be aware that you will be required to pass BNU’s tests of genuineness.

No, as you are not transferring to BNU on 1st September 2025, you will not be required to take an IELTS test. If you have reassessments that go beyond the 1st of September 2025, we will review your case on individual circumstances, based on the outcomes of the July Exam Board.

If you are currently residing outside the UK and not actively engaging with your studies, you do not meet the requirements to be considered a genuine student. As a result, if there is no evidence of recent engagement or attendance, we may be required to withdraw you from your course in line with University Regulations (please see our Academic Integrity Policy and our Mitigating Circumstances Policy. If you have extenuating circumstances to share, please email Nottingham@bnu.ac.uk / Oxford@bnu.ac.uk.

No, you will not need to repeat or change any of your modules. We will teach the same modules at the new campuses from 1st of September to ensure you can successfully complete your studies. 

We are actively working to bring appropriate OBC teaching staff onto BNU contracts and are progressing this with support from our HR colleagues to ensure continuity wherever possible. We appreciate that these are unsettling times but please rest assured that BNU is committed to supporting you through the transition period. We are striving to ensure that from 1st September you receive high quality teaching to support you in continuing and succeeding in your studies.

Yes, we are hoping to keep teaching days as you currently have now, with Monday/Tuesday, Wednesday/Thursday and Saturday/Sunday cohorts. Should numbers become very small among certain cohorts, we will need to consider the feasibility of running very small groups.

We will aim to retain as much continuity as possible. However, cohort arrangements will depend on the number of students transferring to BNU on 1st September 2025. In some instances, it may be necessary to merge smaller groups. 

We are working with colleagues at OBC to consider an extended deadline for assessments that are due within the IELTS window. More information will follow shortly.

BNU is committed to supporting your career journey beyond graduation. All eligible students will have access to the BNU Careers and Employability team, who offer: 

• CV writing and interview preparation
• Access to internship and job opportunities
• Careers workshops and one-to-one guidance 

Yes, absolutely. If you’ve already graduated or will graduate from Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) - including through OBC - before 31 August 2025, your degree is fully recognised as a UK higher education qualification. It remains valid and is officially awarded by BNU, which is a government-recognised university with the authority to grant degrees. 

We will be providing induction activities when we move to the new campuses, details of which will be provided closer to the time. 

Interruptions are possible depending on your position of study. While we would need to look at each student individually, generally:

• L6 students - can interrupt their studies and return to the same programme on either the BNU Nottingham or Oxford Campus
• L5 students - can interrupt their studies and return to the same programme on either the BNU Nottingham or Oxford Campus
• L4 students - due to the current programmes being "taught out" students cannot interrupt and rejoin the current provision. Alternatively, students who are looking to interrupt could instead withdraw and reapply when they are in a position to return, but they will NOT be able to return to the same programme on either the BNU Nottingham or Oxford Campus
• There is also the potential for students in the June or Feb intakes to move to a later intake, but this will have significant student finance implications. Advice will need to be sought from the BNU Registry Team
• All students will be required to complete an IELTS either before, during or after their interruption depending on the period of interruption.

We are currently waiting on the outcome of all of the IELTS tests to understand how many students will transfer to the new campuses on the 1st of September. We will then put in place a consultation around scheduling once we have clearer idea of student numbers. However, we will need to ensure that class sizes are viable from a student experience perspective.

The Transition Project is working hard to communicate with students as effectively as possible. We understand that the volume and complexity of communications—especially during a period of transition—can feel overwhelming and, at times, inconsistent. 

Our intention has always been to communicate as clearly and promptly as possible, based on the information available to us at each stage. Communication via email and our FAQs allows us to get the same message to all students at the same time, which is important as we have 15 different cohorts across the two sites, different intakes and different levels of study.

We are open to suggestions on how we might improve our communication approach going forward. Senior BNU staff continue to meet weekly with your student representatives so are welcome to discuss your concerns and ideas with them. 

The DfE took the decision to remove Student Loans Company Funding from OBC programmes due to serious concerns regarding students’ English language competence and the monitoring of student attendance. The Secretary of State for Education has made clear her expectation that students are only transferred once the University has completed additional checks to assure itself that students have been recruited with integrity (including English language proficiency) and are attending and engaging with their course to an adequate standard. BNU has taken the decision to test students’ English Language skills as an indicator of their genuineness and ability to appropriately engage in their studies at undergraduate level. 

An IELTS is an approved English language test that assesses a student’s reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. It ensures they meet the minimum language requirements for academic study at undergraduate level in the UK.   

Students will be required to do the Academic IELTS test, as it is aimed at those in higher education or professional environments. It reflects features of academic language and assesses your readiness/ability for studying in a higher education environment.

You will be required to complete the test in-person at a location in either Oxford or Nottingham. Special testing centres will be established in each city This means you can take the test in the city in which you are currently studying with OBC.

We will be using the computer-based version of the IELTS. The spoken part of the test will be face-to-face with an examiner. 

We would strongly advise that you practice as much as possible using online tests – to gain familiarity with the testing requirements. Please see the question below about IELTS preparation. 

No, BNU will pay for you to complete the test and a resit if eligible. We will also pay for some preparation resources. Please see Part B below for more information.

You will need to demonstrate a B2 level of English language which is an IELTS score of 5.5 (with a minimum of 5.0 across each skill).  The B2 English level signifies that a student can understand the main ideas of complex academic texts, communicate fluently and spontaneously with native speakers, and produce clear, detailed written text on various topics. It indicates a level of independence in using the language for both every day and some professional contexts. BNU requires all students to demonstrate a B2 level of English as part of its admissions process. 

Yes, you will be given one resit opportunity provided you achieve a minimum overall score of 4.5 at the first attempt. BNU will pay for one resit opportunity for all students who get a 4.5 or 5.0 at the first attempt. Students will be able to take a ‘one skill resit’ - if they do not achieve the required score in just one skill.

Yes, if you fail to achieve an overall score of 4.5 at the first attempt or fail to achieve an overall score of 5.5 after resit, you will be withdrawn immediately i.e. your student registration with BNU will be terminated and the Student Loans Company will be informed.

You can prepare for the IELTS by practising your English reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills regularly. To help you get ready, the British Council offers a range of free IELTS preparation resources suitable for IELTS candidates.

We are also offering access to an online resource (paid for by BNU). Please refer to the email about booking your IELTS which contains further details and a link to the resource.  

Yes, you will need to take an IELTS test. As noted earlier, concerns regarding English language proficiency have been raised by the Secretary of State for Education. Therefore, to ensure compliance with national requirements and to maintain academic standards, a formal English language qualification such as IELTS is now required.

No, we will be using formalised testing, to receive formalised outcomes/ qualifications. 

Unfortunately, no. At this stage, we can only accept the IELTS test. We will not accept any other English Qualifications listed in the Exemption Policy, that have been taken outside of your admissions cycle or taken since the de-designation of OBC.

Please do not book the IELTS independently - it must be arranged through one of our approved specialist providers. We strongly encourage you to book your place as soon as possible to avoid delays.

We will have two sites, one in Nottingham and one in Oxford.  

The Nottingham IELTS site is:  MTS Nottingham, 3 Castle Quay, Nottingham NG7 1FW.  

The Oxford IELTS site is: IHL, Activate Learning, Oxpens Campus, Oxpens Rd, Oxford, OX1 1SA.   

Results are normally released via the British Council portal within 3-5 days.

When booking your IELTS we ask that you set BNU as your “Recognised Provider”, so we can receive your results directly. If you don’t do this, you will need to send us a copy of your certificate by email. 

Students will be required to upload a copy of their ID as part of the booking process; face-to-face verifications will also then take place on site. Please ensure that you follow guidance provided by the IELTS provider regarding ID requirements. 

If you have additional requirements — for example, a disability, specific learning difference, or other support needs — you may be eligible for reasonable adjustments when sitting the IELTS exam. These can include extra time, modified papers, or assistive technology, depending on your circumstances and based on what information OBC currently hold on documented inclusion plans.  

It is your responsibility to book a convenient slot directly with our IELTS providers when bookings open. All bookings must be made by the 22nd of August 2025. Students who do not take an IELTS will not be able to be transferred to BNU from the 1 September 2025. 

• Students who take the IELTS and score 5.5 and above – will be transferred to BNU with effect 1 September 2025. Students can choose to withdraw after they have passed their IELTS.   
• Student who gain IELTS exemption – will be transferred to BNU with effect 1 September 2025. Students can choose to withdraw after their exemption has been confirmed.
• Students who take the IELTS and achieve a 4.5 to 5.0 will be offered a resit opportunity.
• Students who take the IELTS but do not achieve the required score of 5.5 (after any resit opportunity), will be withdrawn by BNU.
• Students who do not wish to take an IELTS and/or do not wish to continue on a BNU programme can formally withdraw now by completing a Withdrawal Form. Students are not required to complete a IELTS prior to withdrawal.
• Students who do not book an IELTS by the deadline above, or do not take an IELTS and are not exempted from taking and IELTS, will be withdrawn by BNU.  

The required score to continue your studies with BNU is 5.5, with a minimum of 5 across all components.  

The BNU Admissions Team will review your results when they receive them (either via a PDF you send in or the British Council portal) and notify you if you are required to do a resit. 

There will be two resit options depending on your results:

• A full resit if overall result is 4.5 and above but below 5.5
• A full resit if two or more components are below 5.0
• A "one skill retake", where you resit just one component (i.e. speaking, reading, etc) if you have an overall score of 5.5 or above but just one component below 5.0

These are standard British Council requirements for anyone who sits the IELTS. This is to prevent fraud and identify misuse. These requirements are not BNU’s. 

The collection and processing of biometric data is done under the lawful basis of "legitimate interests" and "compliance with a legal obligation", as defined in Article 6 of the GDPR. Because biometric data is considered "special category data" under Article 9, additional safeguards and protections are in place to ensure it is handled lawfully and fairly. The British Council’s Privacy Notice is available here - IELTS legal and privacy statements. 

While every individual has a right to privacy, the IELTS test is administered independently and BNU has no control over their biometric policies. If a student refuses to follow the requirements, then the IELTS test centre will not allow the student to take the test.

Yes, they will lose their place if they do not sit the IELTS (or gain exemption). This is because the Department for Education (DfE) requires all of OBC’s partner universities to assess the genuineness of their students before 1 September 2025. BNU’s primary method for assessing genuineness is the IELTS test. 

Yes. The following regulatory and policy context provides the rationale for this approach. 

Following the DfE’s decision to remove course designation in April, BNU’s own internal processes subsequently identified serious concerns relating to some students recruited through OBC, specifically relating to their attendance, academic integrity, and English language skills. This has been supported by feedback from students and findings from in-person enrolment checks. BNU is therefore taking the necessary action to address this unfortunate situation. We are sorry for the impact this is having on genuine students.  

To make sure that all students have the English language skills needed to succeed in their course and meet BNU’s academic standards, the university requires all students to pass the IELTS test as a condition of re-enrolment. This requirement remains unchanged.  

Office for Students 

The Office for Students’ (OfS) conditions of registration collectively ensure that providers maintain academic integrity, uphold sector-recognised standards, and prevent practices from undermining the credibility of qualifications. 

In line with Condition B2 of the OfS Conditions of Registration, BNU has a duty to ensure that all students receive a high-quality academic experience. Where poor English language proficiency among a subset of students is clearly affecting the ability of the wider cohort to engage with teaching, group work, and academic discourse, the university must take proportionate action to protect the learning environment. The requirement for IELTS is therefore not only about individual readiness but also about safeguarding the academic experience of all students, ensuring that teaching and learning can proceed effectively and inclusively.  

Student Loans Company 

The Student Loans Company’s guidance for entering into a franchise agreement with another provider requires universities to fulfil several requirements including: 

• regularly review your franchisee’s performance; for example, poor pass rates, low engagement, identifying inappropriate admissions.
• sample check verification of documentation, such as previous qualifications. 

BNU Terms and Conditions of Admission 

Section 17 of the university’s Terms and Conditions of Admissions specifies that, “…the University may end the Contract by written notice to you in the following circumstances:  

17.2.2 If the University becomes aware of information about you which it did not know before (for example, unspent criminal convictions) which, in the reasonable opinion of the University, makes it inappropriate for you to study on your programme; or 

17.2.3 If, in the reasonable opinion of the University, you have failed to provide the University with all relevant information, or have supplied false or misleading information, relating to your application for your programme. 

BNU Academic Integrity Policy 

BNU's Academic Integrity Policy is very clear about the importance of honesty in your studies and the consequences of academic misconduct (a breach of academic integrity). The "test for genuine students" goes beyond just a language exam; it's about ensuring that a student has the foundational skills required to succeed in a UK higher education environment. 

BNU selected the IELTS test because it is an internationally recognised and widely used test for English language proficiency. It provides a reliable measure of one of the most fundamental skills required for academic success – English language. BNU selected IELTS for the following reasons: 

• Standardised assessment: It provides a consistent, objective and verifiable measure of a student's language skills, which are essential for engaging with their course and for academic success.
• Comprehensive assessment: The test evaluates all four key language skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking, which are all crucial for success for studying at undergraduate level in a UK university setting.
• Protect the quality and value of your degree: By requiring a recognised and secure test like IELTS, BNU safeguards the value of your degree. If a significant number of students struggled with English, it could compromise the quality of their work and, in turn, the university's academic standing and therefore – most importantly – the quality and value of your degree. 

This approach, which is grounded in protecting students and academic integrity, is consistent with the university's published policies and ensures stability and fairness for its student body. 

We understand that this is a difficult situation for some students, and we’re here to support you through the process. Free, confidential wellbeing support is always available 24/7 from togetherall - just use your BNU email address to log on or register. The University's Student Hub is also here to help you - please email: nottingham@bnu.ac.uk or oxford@bnu.ac.uk. 

For students who transfer to BNU on the 1 September 2025, your course fees will not change, and you will remain entitled to your tuition fee and maintenance loans. The Student Loans Company, operating as Student Finance England, will work with us to minimise any disruption.

Should you transfer your studies to BNU, we will notify the Student Loans Company of your Change of Circumstances. Once this has been actioned by the Student Loans Company, you will be issued with an updated award notification, and the change will then be visible in your online student account. Thereafter, your tuition fee loan will be paid to BNU.

If you are in the September cohort, but have not yet applied for funding for 2025/26, please await confirmation that the course has been registered under BNU.  Once this has been confirmed, we will let you know, and you can apply for funding at: SFE - Student Finance England.

The SLC have advised should you withdraw, it is anticipated that your SLC Maintenance Loan entitlement will be recalculated up to your last date of engagement . Where students have received an overpayment (due to early withdrawal), it’s likely that funds will be required to be returned in line with standard funding terms and conditions. This reflects our understanding of student finance processes and does not take account of any specific individual case handling by SLC (in specific cases such, as but not limited to, Migrant Workers, Ill Health, etc). 

Should you wish not to continue with BNU, there are previous study considerations in relation to student finance. We have included additional information for your consideration and review.

MP stands for Marks Pending. This code is used for multiple reasons including a mark yet to be received, a pause while a query is resolved, or an outstanding academic misconduct case.

There has been no change to the formal assessment criteria, i.e. how your academic work is marked. 

An additional assurance check – which is not an assessment criterion – is being used due to significant concerns about academic misconduct where the same author was appearing across several submissions. The actual criteria for marking the assignments remain the same.

Where students are completing their own work and not partaking in academic misconduct, there should be no concerns on the students' part.

These checks are standard practice across many UK universities and are part of BNU’s efforts to maintain fairness, uphold academic standards, and protect the value of your degree.

Your enrolment has been paused because you did not demonstrate a sufficient level of English language when you re-enrolled or because you were unable to provide evidence of your address in the UK.  

For students on the May intake who have been paused, students will be given the option to remain on the May intake or transfer to September intake to pick up teaching from the start of term. Students should book an appointment with a member of the Registry Team to discuss their options and impact on student funding.  

For students on a September or February intake, we will need to consider at what stage you are of your studies and how long an interruption from your studies is needed.  Students should book an appointment with a member of the Registry Team to discuss their options and impact on student funding.  
 

You can request an interruption to your studies with BNU and return later, subject to approval by BNU and availability of your programme. We recommend booking an appointment with a member of the BNU Registry Team to discuss your options and to understand any potential impact on your student funding.  

If you no longer wish to continue your studies, you have the option to formally withdraw from the course. To do this, you need to complete the Withdrawal Form and return it to Nottingham@bnu.ac.uk / Oxford@bnu.ac.uk.  

All results will need to be approved by the relevant Exam Board. Students who withdraw after completing a L4 or L5 will need to request this. They will then have their assessments checked for academic integrity, prior to the board. If a student is eligible for an award, their results will be passed to the relevant Board for approval.   

All results will need to be approved by the relevant Exam Board. Students who withdraw after completing a L4 or L5 will need to request this. They will then have their assessments checked for academic integrity, prior to the board. If a student is eligible for an award, their results will be passed to the relevant Board for approval.

Initially you should raise the appeal with BNU directly (via Nottingham@bnu.ac.uk / Oxford@bnu.ac.uk). If a student remains unhappy with the outcome after all the University’s internal procedures have been completed, they can complain to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA).

Please email Nottingham@bnu.ac.uk / Oxford@bnu.ac.uk with your questions/concerns. Some of the answers you may be looking for may be contained in these FAQs. 

Yes. If you are a student affected by the re-enrolment checks, such as English language proficiency requirements, you can raise a complaint directly with BNU if you believe the process meets one or more of the following grounds and relates to:  

• Unfair treatment (e.g. disproportionate impact on your studies), or 
• Discrimination (e.g. based on a protected characteristic), or 
• Inconsistent application (e.g. different treatment compared to other students in similar circumstances).  

Even if the re-enrolment process is still ongoing, you can submit your complaint at any time however, BNU may defer (pause) formal consideration of your complaint until the process has concluded, to ensure a full and fair response.   
 

Yes. While BNU is allowed to introduce or reinforce requirements during your studies at any time, and especially where oversight has changed or been strengthened as in this case, you can raise a complaint if you believe the change has been applied unfairly, inconsistently, or without sufficient communication.  

These current English language proficiency checks are aligned with expectations from the Office for Students (OfS) and other regulatory bodies. They can be introduced at any point in your academic journey to ensure quality and standards are upheld but if you feel this has caused you a disadvantage, you are entitled to raise a complaint and provide supporting evidence.

Yes. If you believe that a lack of timely communication by BNU has affected your ability to make informed decisions about your studies, you can raise this as part of a complaint. BNU is committed to transparency, but if you feel communication has fallen short and negatively affected you, your feedback will be taken seriously and acted on.  

Yes. While you can raise a complaint at any time, BNU may exercise the right to defer formal consideration in situations where the issue is still under active review (e.g. re-enrolment checks). This ensures your complaint is addressed with all relevant information available and avoids duplication with ongoing processes.  

Not at all. Any concerns or questions that can be addressed outside of the formal complaint process, such as through local resolution or clarification, will be handled by the relevant BNU team wherever possible. This helps ensure that issues are resolved quickly and informally where appropriate. Deferral does not affect your right to complain, and you will still have access to support, advice, and the opportunity to ask questions throughout the process.

Absolutely. As a BNU student, you have the same rights to raise concerns and access the complaints process as students based at our main campuses. Your experience matters, and your complaint will be reviewed fairly and thoroughly, and your concerns addressed in a timely manner. 

Be specific and clear. Include:  

• The grounds for your complaint (e.g. unfairness, discrimination, inconsistency) 
• A clear explanation of your concerns 
• Supporting evidence (e.g. emails, timelines, or impact on your studies)  

This helps ensure your complaint is considered fully and fairly.  

You can submit a complaint, raise concerns informally, ask questions, or request advice or guidance in the first instance by contacting the University directly via Nottingham@bnu.ac.uk / Oxford@bnu.ac.uk. The team will ensure your concerns are managed in line with BNU’s complaints guidance and will advise you on the most appropriate next steps.  

Free, confidential wellbeing support is always available 24/7 from togetherall - just use your BNU email address to log on or register. The University's Student Hub is also here to help you - please email: students@bnu.ac.uk.  
 

Please contact the BNU team via Nottingham@bnu.ac.uk / Oxford@bnu.ac.uk.

Academic IELTS  - A version of the IELTS test required for students entering higher education. It assesses academic-level English in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.  

Academic Misconduct - A breach of academic integrity, such as plagiarism, cheating, or falsifying work. Investigations into misconduct can delay results.  

B2 Level (CEFR) - A Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) standard for English proficiency. B2 equates to an IELTS score of 5.5 and indicates the ability to understand complex texts, engage in fluent conversation, and write clearly.  

Boards (Exam Boards) - Committees that formally approve module marks and determine progression and awards.  

Change of Circumstance (CoC) - A formal notification submitted to the Student Loans Company when a student’s study details (e.g., provider, course, status) change.  

De-designation - When a course or institution loses its eligibility for government funding (e.g., student loans) due to regulatory concerns.  

DfE (Department for Education) - The UK government department responsible for education policy, including regulation of higher education providers.  

Exit Award - A formal academic award (e.g., Certificate or Diploma of Higher Education) given when a student exits a programme before completing their degree.  

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) - An internationally recognised English language test assessing listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Required by many academic institutions and immigration authorities.  

IELTS Exemption Policy - A BNU policy that outlines which qualifications or circumstances exempt a student from taking the IELTS test.  

Interruption of Studies (Suspension) - A formal pause in a student’s studies, with the intention to return later. Subject to programme availability and academic regulations.  

Maintenance Payments - Student finance payments intended to cover living costs. Paid in instalments during the academic year by the Student Loans Company (SLC).  

OBC (Oxford Business College) - The current teaching provider. Teaching at OBC will cease after 31 August, and eligible students will transfer to BNU.  

Paused Student - A student whose enrolment has been suspended, typically due to language proficiency concerns or other eligibility issues.  

Registry Team - The university team responsible for managing enrolment, progression, student records, and academic regulations. Also advises on interruptions and withdrawals.  

Resit - An opportunity to retake an assessment or test (e.g. IELTS) after an initial unsuccessful attempt.  

SLC (Student Loans Company) - The organisation responsible for administering student finance on behalf of the UK government.  

Transfer to BNU - The process of moving from study at OBC to being formally registered and taught by BNU from 1 September 2025 onwards.  

Withdrawal - A formal decision to leave a course permanently. May be initiated by the student or the university depending on circumstances (e.g., failure to meet conditions).