Student Protection Plan 2025/26 (Revised 10725)
Effective from: July 2025
Policy Owner: Board of Directors
Review Date: July 2026
1. Introduction
As a registered higher education provider with the Office for Students (OfS), the Northern College of Acupuncture (NCA) is required to maintain a Student Protection Plan under the Higher Education and Research Act 2017.
The NCA is committed to safeguarding the interests of our students. This Student Protection Plan outlines the potential risks to the continuation of study of NCA students, the likelihood that those risks will crystallise and the severity of impact on students if they do crystallise.
The Plan goes on to describe the measures in place to protect the stability and continuity of their studies should any risks arise.
This plan applies to students enrolled in NCA programmes validated by Health Sciences University (HSU). It has been developed in consultation with student representatives and aligns with the principles set out by the OfS.
Risk profile scale
Low risk - very unlikely to happen
Medium risk - unlikely, but possible under certain circumstances
High risk - more likely to happen
Impact on students
Low impact – unlikely to affect the ability of students to complete their studies
Medium impact – likely to affect the delivery of the course, but should not affect the ability of students to complete their studies
High impact – very likely to affect the delivery of the course and may affect students' ability to complete their studies or not receive their qualification or professional body registration.
2. Potential Risks to Continuity of Study
While we will always strive to deliver all courses as planned, certain events may pose risks to the continuity of study for students. These are:
Institutional closure: the college is no longer able to operate or no longer intends to operate.
Course Closure: the college is no longer able to deliver courses to students in one or more subjects.
Changes to a course including teaching staff and resources: the college is unable to deliver material components of a course, particularly if there are vulnerabilities such as single person dependencies for teaching.
Loss of Accreditation: withdrawal of accreditation by a professional body, eg British Acupuncture Accreditation Board (BAAB).
Loss of Validation: the college is unable to award the qualification for which students are registered because our validating partner withdraws validation.
Campus Closure: one or more of our locations delivering courses or parts of courses is no longer available.
3. Measures to Protect Students
3.1 Institutional Closure (Low risk, high impact)
If the college is no longer able to operate or no longer intends to operate.
This is assessed as low risk because we have no plans to cease operating, and we have a strategic plan in place which supports our financial, academic and commercial viability. We are actively supported by our validating partner, HSU, with whom we have a strong relationship.
It is high impact because there is a risk that students may not be able to complete their studies.
Should Institutional Closure become a possibility, we will:
Produce a credible market exit plan at the earliest opportunity, and relevant to the situation at the time, setting out detailed measures to protect students and how they will be put into practice. This will include actioning arrangements already made with equivalent courses at alternative institutions.
Provide information to the OfS, such as confirmation of current student numbers and course details and ensure that arrangements are in place that enable students to access evidence of their academic achievements in the future.
Provide students with appropriate support to understand their options and make informed choices about their next steps, including overseeing transferring to a similar course at an equivalent institution.
Ensure robust arrangements to handle complaints are in place to respond to any complaints from students.
Offer refunds or compensation in line with our Refunds and Compensation Policy. This states that “refunds for tuition fees will be provided for the academic year in which closure occurs. Any tuition fees already paid in advance for subsequent years will also be refunded in full.”
Inform future applicants of the decision to cease operations within one week of the decision being made.
3.2 Course Closure (Medium risk, medium impact)
If the college is no longer able to deliver courses to students in one or more subjects.
This is assessed as medium risk because the college has a responsibility to respond to market demand, which may mean that a course is no longer popular enough to attract sufficient students to meet costs of delivery. It is medium impact because although students will be affected by changes in the delivery of their course, there is low risk that they wouldn't be able to complete their studies.
Teach-Out Arrangements: In most situations, we will continue to deliver the course in a ‘teach-out’ period, so that existing students can complete their studies as planned to the original timescale. This includes providing a continuing service to students who have interrupted or who are required to re-take a module or repeat a year of the course.
Transfer Support: If teach-out is not possible, we will provide students with appropriate support to understand their options and make informed choices about their next steps, including overseeing transferring to a similar course at an equivalent institution.
Ensure robust arrangements to handle complaints are in place to respond to any complaints from students.
Offer refunds or compensation in line with our Refunds and Compensation Policy. This states that “refunds for tuition fees will be provided for the academic year in which closure occurs. Any tuition fees already paid in advance for subsequent years will also be refunded in full.”
Inform future applicants of the decision to cease operations within one week of the decision being made.
3.3 Changes to a Course Including Teaching Staff and Resources (Low risk, medium impact)
If the college is unable to deliver material components of a course, particularly if there are vulnerabilities such as single person dependencies for teaching.
This is assessed as low risk because we have a small team of full-time employed lead lecturers supported by a larger team of experienced sessional self-employed teachers who we can call on to step in if necessary. In terms of resources, we have flexibility in providing alternative accommodation for teaching and clinical supervision both at our central campus in York and our regional clinical hubs. We know our student numbers well in advance and ensure we have adequate resources in place. It is medium impact because students may face changes to the delivery of the course, but these changes will not affect the ability of students to complete their studies.
Staff changes: In the event of illness or unavailability, we will provide other appropriately qualified staff from our wider team to fill gaps quickly as possible, and recruit externally if necessary to avoid disruption to studies.
Resources: Unavoidable changes to teaching rooms or clinical facilities will be managed by implementing alternative resources as quickly as possible.
Managed changes to curriculums and/or assessments: Changes to the curriculum, course content and assessments can arise from regular reviews to improve quality and in responding to feedback from students, external examiners, our validating university and accrediting bodies. The process is carefully managed through university procedures and introduced before the start of each academic year. Students will be kept informed of any changes in advance.
3.4 Loss of Accreditation (Low risk, high impact)
Withdrawal of accreditation by a professional body.
This is assessed as a low risk because the College has been in excellent standing with our accrediting bodies for many years. We maintain regular contact with them and ensure we keep them informed of our ongoing developments. We take their notifications and advice seriously and make sure we implement any changes as recommended. In some cases, our staff serve on their committees ensuring that we are fully aware of our responsibilities in meeting any new requirements and recommendations. It is high impact because loss of accreditation would affect student’s ability to register with the professional body for their subject.
Accreditation is only withdrawn following a series of interventions in which an institution consistently fails to meet the required standards.
In the unlikely event accreditation is withdrawn, we will:
Communication: We will promptly inform affected students and outline the implications.
Alternative Arrangements: Efforts will be made to restore accreditation or establish new agreements with alternative professional bodies.
Student Support: Students will receive guidance on transferring to accredited programmes or completing their studies under revised arrangements.
3.5 Loss of Validation (Low risk, high impact)
The college is unable to award the qualification for which students are registered because our validating partner withdraws validation.
This is assessed as low risk because we have a strong relationship with our accrediting university and maintain close contact with them. We respond to them in a timely manner, seek their advice and make sure we implement any changes as requested. We aim to ensure we meet the standards they require of the college. It is high impact because students would not be entitled to receive their degree award if validation were withdrawn.
Validation is only withdrawn following a series of interventions in which an institution consistently fails to meet the required standards.
In the unlikely event validation is withdrawn, we will:
Communication: Promptly inform affected students and outline the implications.
Alternative Arrangements: Efforts will be made to restore validation or establish new agreements with alternative degree-awarding bodies.
Student Support: Students will receive guidance on transferring to alternative validated courses or completing their studies under revised arrangements.
In the unlikely event that our validating university were to lose its degree-awarding powers, we will:
Communication: Promptly inform affected students and outline the implications.
Alternative Arrangements: Efforts will be made to establish new agreements with alternative degree-awarding bodies.
Student Support: Students will receive guidance on transferring to alternative validated courses or completing their studies under revised arrangements.
3.6 Campus Closure (Medium risk, high impact)
One or more of our locations delivering courses or parts of courses is no longer available.
This is assessed as medium risk because it is possible that market conditions may change, making a location unaffordable, or a location may be withdrawn by a supplier for reasons beyond our control. It has a high impact because it is likely to affect the delivery of the course and may involve students moving to new locations.
If our York, London or Northwich campuses become unavailable, we will:
Communication: Promptly inform affected students and outline the implications.
Alternative Arrangements: Plans will be made as quickly as possible to establish new locations with the same or improved resources as close to the closed campus as possible. Clinical practice facilities may be explored with appropriately qualified practitioners close to where students can travel.
Remote learning: If appropriate, some course delivery may be moved online until alternative locations are established.
Student Support: Students will receive guidance on the options available to them and be kept informed of developments. If a student is caused to incur additional costs which cannot be reasonably avoided, we will compensate the student for the additional costs. Examples are additional travel and additional childcare costs.
4. Refunds and Compensation
Our Refunds and Compensation Policy outlines the circumstances under which students may be entitled to financial redress. This includes:
Tuition Fee Refunds: For undelivered services.
Compensation: For additional costs incurred due to course changes or closures.
Special Circumstances: Consideration of individual cases involving serious personal circumstances.
Details of this policy can be found on our website.
5. Communication and Support
We are committed to transparent communication with our students:
Timely Updates: Students will be informed of any significant changes as soon as possible.
Dedicated Support: Our Student Support Services will assist students in understanding their options and accessing necessary resources.
Feedback Mechanisms: Students are encouraged to provide feedback and raise concerns through established channels.
6. Review and Monitoring
This Student Protection Plan is reviewed annually to ensure its effectiveness and relevance. Student feedback is integral to this process, and we welcome input to enhance our support mechanisms.
