Higher Education Student Protection Plan
Last Updated: Wednesday, 11th November 2026
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1. Introduction and scope
The NDA Foundation (the Academy), incorporating the National Design Academy (NDA) and the National Motorsport Academy (NMA), is committed to safeguarding students’ interests and ensuring they are treated fairly. As part of this commitment, the Academy maintains a Student Protection Plan (SPP), which sits within the wider suite of student-facing documents and policies designed to meet the requirements of the Office for Students (OfS).
Under the OfS regulatory framework, providers are expected to have clear and transparent arrangements that protect students in the event of material changes to their studies. The SPP contributes to meeting these expectations, including those set out under initial condition of registration C5: Treating Students Fairly.
The Plan sets out the actions the Academy would normally take if circumstances arose that could disrupt students’ ability to continue or complete their studies, such as the inability to deliver course components or modules, course closure, major restructuring or institutional withdrawal. It outlines the Academy’s assessment of relevant risks and the measures that are in place to mitigate them, including the possible provision of compensation where appropriate.
This Student Protection Plan applies to all Higher Education students enrolled with the Academy. It outlines the Academy’s assessment of key risks to continuation of study and details the mitigations and protections in place to manage those risks effectively.
2. Range of risks to the continuation of study at the Academy
This section provides an assessment of the range of risks to the continuation of study for NDA Foundation students, how these risks may differ based on students’ needs, characteristics and circumstances, and the likelihood that they will crystallise.
2.1 The Academy is unable to operate or decides to cease operating
The likelihood of NDA Foundation being unable to continue operating is assessed as very low. The organisation maintains prudent financial management, with healthy reserves and careful forward planning. Student recruitment remains strong, and operations do not depend on high-risk income streams.
Financial performance is reviewed regularly by senior management and trustees and independently audited each year. A Business Continuity and Financial Contingency Plan, reviewed annually, ensures potential pressures are identified and addressed promptly. The overall risk of closure is minimal.
2.2 Loss of premises or facilities
All higher education courses at NDA Foundation are delivered wholly online. While the physical headquarters support administrative operations, disruption to these premises is very unlikely to affect students’ studies.
Systems, procedures and staff training are maintained to enable remote management at any point if access to headquarters is temporarily unavailable. The more material risk relates to maintaining the digital platforms that deliver learning and assessment.
2.3 Loss of OfS registration and inability to recruit or teach funded students
The likelihood of losing OfS registration is very low. Continuous compliance with OfS requirements is ensured through governance, annual monitoring and external audit.
2.4 Inability to deliver programmes in highly specialised areas
The risk of being unable to deliver specialist programmes is low. Courses are built around long-established expertise in design and motorsport, supported by stable academic teams and sector networks.
2.5 Inability to deliver material components of courses
Modules are designed to be delivered by integrated teams, with sufficient capacity to cover absences or changes. The risk of disruption at module level is assessed as low; the risk to whole programmes is very low.
2.6 Changes to course content or components
NDA Foundation may occasionally decide to discontinue or modify modules to ensure programmes remain up to date and relevant. Reasons may include developments in academic knowledge or technology, staff expertise, student feedback, and changes in industry or student demand.
Changes are normally phased in for new students; where modifications affect current students positively, they will be consulted.
2.7 Failure or disruption of online platforms and IT systems
The likelihood of prolonged platform or system failure is low due to secure, industry-standard virtual learning environments, robust hosting, monitoring and IT support. Contingency measures and remote delivery protocols ensure continuity of access.
2.8 Circumstances beyond our control
Occasionally, unforeseen circumstances may affect programme or module delivery, such as major emergencies, cyber incidents or external interventions. Programmes are designed for online delivery and can accommodate small numbers, including single students. The risk at module level is assessed as medium; the risk to whole programmes is low.
3. Measures to mitigate risks considered reasonably likely to occur
NDA Foundation has established the following measures and contingency arrangements to mitigate risks and ensure students can continue their studies.
3.1 Financial and operational resilience
Prudent budgeting, regular review, healthy reserves and independent audits. Business Continuity and Financial Contingency Plans identify potential pressures early.
3.2 Online delivery and platform continuity
Courses are delivered through secure virtual learning environments, with robust hosting, back-ups, monitoring and staff trained in remote delivery. Alternative delivery methods are available if systems are disrupted.
3.3 Staff and teaching capacity
Modules are delivered by integrated teams with sufficient expertise and capacity to cover absences, maintaining continuity of teaching.
3.4 Programme and curriculum flexibility
Modifications to modules or programmes are phased in for new students; existing students are consulted where changes affect them positively. Learning outcomes are preserved, and alternative arrangements are provided where necessary.
3.5 Programme closure and teach-out
Programmes may be discontinued where no current students are affected. Where students are enrolled, programmes are normally closed to new applicants while continuing to deliver teaching for existing students.
3.6 Alternative provision and student support
Where programmes cannot continue as originally intended, NDA Foundation will explore alternatives, including offering related programmes or supporting transfers to another provider. Support may include certification of credit, transcripts or records of achievement.
3.7 Tailored, student-focused approach
NDA Foundation considers students’ individual circumstances in all mitigation decisions, ensuring progression, achievement and welfare are protected.
3.8 Regulatory compliance
Continuous monitoring ensures compliance with OfS requirements. Any issues are addressed promptly to avoid disruption to students.
3.9 Mitigating unforeseen circumstances
Contingency plans address emergencies such as cyber incidents, major infrastructure disruptions or external interventions.
4. Tuition fee refunding and compensation policies
In exceptional circumstances where continuation of study cannot be preserved, NDA Foundation may decide that it is appropriate to refund tuition fees (in full or in part) and/or provide compensation. Decisions are overseen by senior management, in line with contractual commitments and consumer protection guidance.
Where circumstances are known in advance, students will be contacted to agree mitigating actions. In such cases, refunds or compensation are unlikely.
If an unavoidable event places NDA Foundation in breach of its contractual responsibilities, it will consider refunds, compensation or other goodwill gestures. Students who believe these measures are insufficient may raise a concern through the formal Student Complaints Procedure. Refunds will normally be returned to the original payer (for example, the Student Loans Company, a self-funded student or a sponsor).
While all delivery is online, students may occasionally experience disruption or additional costs due to unforeseen technical issues. In such cases, reimbursement or compensation may be considered for significant inconvenience or distress.
Where students are required to transfer to an alternative programme, eligibility for scholarships or bursaries will normally remain unaffected, and any differences will be managed to ensure students are not financially disadvantaged.
Compensation may also be considered where students experience financial loss, significant inconvenience or distress due to programme changes or disruption that prevent them from achieving credit for their studies.
NDA Foundation’s financial planning and continuity arrangements provide assurance that refunds and compensation can be made where appropriate, safeguarding students’ interests in the unlikely event that continuation of study cannot be preserved.
5. Communicating with students about our Student Protection Plan
The NDA Foundation recognises its responsibility to communicate with students about our Student Protection Plan and the arrangements we will put in place should it need to be implemented.
5.1 How we publicise this plan
We publicise our Student Protection Plan to current and future students by:
- publication on our website
- inclusion with the material we provide to applicants when we make an offer to study on a programme
- drawing the attention of current students to our plan via their online learning platform.
5.2 Staff awareness
We ensure that staff are aware of the implications of our Student Protection Plan when they propose programme changes by:
- publication on our website
- inclusion in our policy and process documents for programme changes and closure
- inclusion in relevant staff training.
5.3 If this plan needs to be implemented
Should the Student Protection Plan need to be implemented, the Deputy Academy Director will co-ordinate communication with affected students. Depending on the potential impact of the actions required, a decision will be taken to communicate with students formally via their email address within the online learning platform, or face to face using virtual meeting tools such as Teams or Zoom.
As much notice as possible will be given, though this may vary depending on the specific circumstances.
Note: Students will be encouraged to seek independent advice from recognised national student support services, such as the National Union of Students’ (NUS) advice service. They will also be advised to follow the Academy’s Student Complaints Procedure if they wish to raise a concern about the implementation of this plan.
6. Contact for further information
For further information about this Student Protection Plan, please contact:
Andrea Bedworth-Cook
Deputy Academy Director
Email: deputydirector@nda.ac.uk
National Design Academy
NDA Foundation – Company Number 07654911
Rufford Hall
Waterside Way
Trent Park
Nottingham
NG2 4DP
United Kingdom
Email: info@nda.ac.uk
Website: www.nda.ac.uk
7. Document control information
Document title: NDA Foundation HE Student Protection Plan
Document status: Approved
Approving body: Board of Directors
Approval date: 11 December 2025
Review date: 11 December 2026