Private further education colleges and English language schools

Educational oversight inspections

HM Inspectors of Education are responsible for providing educational oversight of provision offered by private colleges or English language schools, up to and including Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) level 8. These organisations are referred to as ‘providers’ and are either (a) existing, or are seeking to become, a Student Sponsor on behalf of Home Office UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI), or (b) delivering provision supported by funding from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS).

Arrangements for student sponsorship (UKVI) (Word, 91 KB)

Any provider seeking to become a Student Sponsor (gov.uk) on behalf of Home Office UKVI must complete an initial application. Please contact HMI Sarah Halliwell to discuss the application arrangements. Providers who are in receipt of funding from SAAS should refer to the associated SAAS designation arrangements.

Arrangements for private providers in receipt of SAAS funding (Word, 125KB)

The following document sets out the Education Oversight fees for private providers for 2026.

Education Oversight Fees 2026 (PDF, 126 KB)