Thousands of students are suspected of fraudulently claiming hundreds of millions of pounds from Britain’s university loan system. A Sunday Times investigation has discovered that individuals with “absolutely no academic intent” are enrolling on degree courses every year to take out loans, with “no intention of paying it back”. The majority of students under scrutiny are believed to have enrolled at so-called franchised universities — which are small colleges paid to provide courses for established universities but often have low grade requirements. There are at least six franchised providers where fraudulent claims from students have been identified, it is understood. The investigation reviewed leaked financial documents and company accounts, and interviewed a dozen sources

Source: The Times March 22, 2025 22:29 UTC