Closed city college in student loan abuse row says it could go bust

COMPANY SUES GOVERNMENT AS IT PLANS TO SELL PROPERTY

- By JOSHUA HARTLEY

Business College site in Carlton Road

A COLLEGE that closed down after being accused of abusing the student loan system says it could collapse due to Government legal action - even though it’s been overturned.

Oxford Business College (OBC), which had franchising agreements with universities that allowed pupils to get a degree and funding, was told students would no longer be eligible for support loans after Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson accused the network in April of failing to ensure students had basic English skills or turned up to lectures.

The concerns were echoed by neighbours of the St Ann’s campus, who said student sightings were irregular at the sprawling building on Carlton Road, which OBC refurbished after taking it over in 2021.

The college notched up a legal victory in August, when it overturned the Department for Education’s de-designation of its courses, meaning that students would again be able to apply for student finance.

But the Nottingham campus closed the same month and remains shut as the DfE’s move stopped it enrolling students.