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Legal framework

The three key pieces of consumer protection legislation are:

  • Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPRs)
  • The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 (CCRs)
  • The Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA)

Ensuring that UCL remains compliant with consumer protection law is essential not only in protecting the rights of students but also in maintaining the reputation of UCL and the wider Higher Education sector.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has issued advice on consumer protection in relation to higher education in England. This guidance sets out the responsibilities of HE providers in relation to prospective and current students.

Compliance with consumer protection laws is monitored externally by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and Office for Students (OfS). The Office for Students (OfS) as the regulator for Higher Education in England requires providers including UCL to meet on-going condition of registration C1. This condition relates directly to consumer protection law and forms part of the Regulatory Framework for Higher Eduation in England. All of UCL's programmes are regulated by the OfS.

Office for Students will refer cases to National Trading Standards where they think a provider has not comlied with consumer protection law. The Office for Students may have additional regulatory powers relating to consumer protection in the future. 

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