Cognizon University operates under the rigorous regulatory framework of the United Kingdom's higher education sector, ensuring the highest standards of quality, governance, and student protection. Our compliance and engagement are overseen by the following key bodies:

1. Office for Students (OfS)

• Role: The main regulator for higher education in England. The OfS ensures universities meet conditions of registration, including quality and standards, student outcomes, financial sustainability, and good governance. Cognizon University would be required to be registered with the OfS to offer degrees.

• Assumed Key Contact/Designation:

  • Dr. Felicity Greenough - Director of New Provider Regulation, Office for Students

  • Mr. Simon Hughes - Head of Quality and Standards, Office for Students

  • Ms. Priya Sharma - Senior Case Officer (New Providers), Office for Students

2. Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA)

• Role: An independent body that safeguards standards and improves the quality of UK higher education. While the OfS is the primary regulator for England, the QAA conducts reviews and provides advice, setting benchmarks for quality across the sector. New providers often undergo QAA review as part of their journey towards registration and degree-awarding powers.

• Assumed Key Contact/Designation:

  • Professor Charles Adebayo - Chief Executive Officer, Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education

  • Dr. Sarah Jenkins - Head of Reviews and Standards, Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education

  • Mr. David Croft - Lead Reviewer (New Providers Team), Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education

3. Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) / UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

• Role: While HEFCE's direct funding role largely transitioned to the OfS and UKRI, this category represents the bodies responsible for research funding and policy. UKRI supports research and innovation by bringing together the seven research councils, Innovate UK, and Research England (which funds research and knowledge exchange in English universities). Cognizon University would seek competitive research grants and potentially formula-based funding via Research England (part of UKRI) once established.

• Assumed Key Contact/Designation:

  • Professor Graham Bell - Executive Chair, Research England (part of UKRI)

  • Dr. Emily Wong - Head of Strategic Partnerships (AI & Digital), UK Research and Innovation

4. Department for Education (DfE)

• Role: The overarching government department responsible for education policy, including higher education. While the OfS handles day-to-day regulation, the DfE sets the broader policy context.

• Assumed Key Contact/Designation:

  • The Rt Hon. Marcus Davies MP - Secretary of State for Education

  • Ms. Catherine Brooks - Director for Higher Education Strategy, Department for Education

5. Privy Council (for Degree Awarding Powers)

• Role: In the UK, institutions must be granted degree-awarding powers by the Privy Council, often after recommendation from the OfS (following a rigorous review process, potentially involving QAA). This is the final step to legally award university degrees.

• Assumed Key Contact/Designation:

  • Clerk of the Privy Council (This is a standing role, not typically a named individual for specific university applications, but the body itself is the final authority).

  • Mr. Richard Thorne - Head of Higher Education Petitions, Privy Council Office

6. Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs)

• Role: For specific courses (e.g., engineering, law, medicine, computing), Cognizon University's programs would seek accreditation from relevant PSRBs to ensure graduates meet industry standards and can gain professional recognition.

• Assumed Examples for Cognizon's focus:

  • British Computer Society (BCS)

    • Dr. Anya Gupta - Head of Accreditation, BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT

  • Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)

    • Mr. Chris Evans - Senior Accreditation Manager, IET