England’s higher‑education regulator warned MPs that up to 50 providers could exit the market within two to three years, with 24 seen at more immediate risk and seven larger institutions flagged as vulnerable in the next 12 months. The Office for Students told the House of Commons committee it is monitoring providers closely and engaging to avoid disorderly exits, but also said the sector’s financial outlook remains fragile after weaker recruitment and historic underfunding. The regulator emphasized governance and board accountability as central to stabilizing institutions and urged institutions to prepare contingency and cooperation plans. University leaders and governing boards will need to accelerate risk mitigation, merger planning and transparency with regional stakeholders if they are to avoid abrupt course closures or teaching suspensions.