News Talks: University of Sussex v the Office for Students – what could it mean for UK higher education?

We discuss why the University of Sussex has mounted a legal challenge against a £585,000 fine imposed by the Office for Students (OfS) for failing to uphold freedom of speech. The case, being heard in the high court in London this week, brings to the fore questions over academic freedom, institutional autonomy, trans rights and EDI policies and the role of the OfS. On this episode of News talks, Times Higher Education editor Chris Havergal talks to Miranda Prynne about the background to the case, the key points upon which Sussex is disputing the OfS findings and the broader implications for universities and the way they are regulated.

You can listen to News Talks: University of Sussex v the Office for Students – what could it mean for UK higher education? online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

News Talks: University of Sussex v the Office for Students – what could it mean for UK higher education? is an episode from Times Higher Education by Campus by Times Higher Education.

This episode is 23:00 long.

This episode was published on Feb 6, 2026.

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