30.—F20[(1) Before establishing procedures under section 28 (being the first occasion of the relevant provider establishing such procedures) a relevant provider shall submit a draft of the proposed procedures to the Authority for approval, accompanied by such fee (if any) as may be determined by the Authority under section 80, but this subsection does not apply to a previously established university.]

F21[(1A) Where a relevant provider has established procedures under section 28 (being the first occasion of such procedures having been established by it), procedures that, subsequent to that occasion, are proposed to be established by it under that section do not require approval under this section. However, the Authority may evaluate any subsequent such procedures with respect to their suitability in the course of considering or conducting, as appropriate—

(a) an application for validation of a programme of education and training under section 44(5),

(b) a review of a programme of education and training under section 46,

(c) a request for delegation of authority to make an award under section 52,

(d) an application for authorisation to use the international education mark under section 61(3), or

(e) a review under section 34.]

(2) Upon consideration of the proposed procedures submitted to it under subsection (1), the Authority may—

(a) approve the proposed procedures,

(b) refuse to approve the proposed procedures but make such recommendations to the provider as it thinks appropriate, or

(c) in accordance with section 31, refuse to approve the proposed procedures.

(3) Where the Authority approves procedures under subsection (2)(a), the provider shall publish those procedures in such form and manner (including on the internet) as the Authority directs and shall provide a copy of the procedures as published to the Authority.

(4) The Authority may, as it thinks appropriate, determine the form and manner of the publication of procedures under subsection (3).

(5) Where the Authority makes recommendations under subsection (2)(b) the provider concerned shall take account of those recommendations before resubmitting the proposed procedures for approval under subsection (1).

(6) No further fee is payable where a provider resubmits proposed procedures in accordance with subsection (5).

(7) A provider shall implement procedures approved under this section.

(8) A provider who falsely claims or represents that its procedures for quality assurance have been approved by the Authority under this section commits an offence.

F21[(9) The Authority may impose conditions, in relation to quality assurance, on a relevant provider whose procedures it has approved under this section and the provider shall comply with those conditions.]