• Startup Consultancy

Startup Provider and Consultancy Service

New Provider Consultancy is a comprehensive suite of tailored services designed to assist new higher education providers in their start-up phase, as well as established providers seeking to navigate the regulated higher education landscape for the first time.

Contact Us

New Provider Consultancy is a comprehensive suite of tailored services designed to assist new higher education providers in their start-up phase, as well as established providers seeking to navigate the regulated higher education landscape for the first time. Our services are specifically structured to support institutions in understanding and complying with the complex regulatory framework governing the sector. In addition, we offer a bespoke consultancy service for providers requiring more in-depth, strategic support to achieve their developmental and regulatory objectives.

A subscription to New Provider Consultancy provides institutions with privileged access to expert advice from HEE’s experienced staff and specialist consultants. Subscribers also benefit from an extensive repository of tailored resources, including guidance documents, toolkits, and best-practice exemplars. Additionally, we ensure that providers remain informed of critical sector developments through regular updates, briefings, and analysis of emerging policy changes.

Bespoke Consultancy Services

HEE’s in-house consultancy service is an exclusive offering available only to members and New Provider Consultancy subscribers. We recognise the unique challenges faced by independent providers and appreciate the additional support they may require to enhance institutional resilience, strengthen governance structures, and achieve sustainable growth.

Our team draws upon extensive sector expertise and collaborates with a network of trusted consultants to deliver tailored, confidential consultancy services. Whether providers require strategic guidance on regulatory compliance, operational efficiencies, or institutional development, our services are designed to be flexible, solutions-focused, and competitively priced on a contract-per-project basis.

  • Specialist Areas of Support

Our expert advisors and consultants have successfully assisted providers in achieving a range of critical milestones, including:

1. Regulatory Compliance and Sector Entry
    • Registering with the Office for Students (OfS) to gain access to student loan funding and other regulatory benefits in England
    • Changing OfS registration category to transition between ‘Approved’ and ‘Approved (fee cap)’ status
    • Securing formal validation agreements with university partners for course delivery
    • Preparing institutions for the attainment of Degree Awarding Powers (DAPs)
2. Student Recruitment and Internationalisation
    • Securing a Home Office (UKVI) sponsor licence to recruit and support international students
    • Strengthening student recruitment strategies and compliance with immigration regulations
3. Institutional Governance and Quality Enhancement
    • Conducting comprehensive reviews of academic and corporate governance structures
    • Supporting institutions in making submissions to the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
    • Enhancing internal quality assurance and compliance processes
4. Funding, Financial Management, and Business Strategy
    • Advising on the preparation of competitive bids for public grant funding, including OfS and other funding bodies
    • Improving financial management, audit procedures, and tax affairs
    • Developing commercial strategies and business models to drive institutional sustainability and growth
5. Student Experience and Institutional Development
    • Supporting institutions in strengthening student community engagement and representation
    • Enhancing the provision of student services, welfare support, and pastoral care

At HEE Excellence, we are committed to empowering independent providers with the knowledge, strategic insight, and practical support they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment.

Get in Touch

For further information on New Provider Consultancy  and our consultancy services, please contact us at info@hexcellence.co.uk  Our team is ready to discuss your specific needs and explore how we can best support your institution’s ambitions.