Courses Management Service

Q1: When will the Courses Management Service (CMS) definition be available and when will SLC need course information?

A: The Courses Management Service definition has been published on the LLE resources page, and the Courses Management Service system went live in June 2026 for January 2027 courses. Providers will begin uploading courses in advance of the launch of the application system.

Q2: When will Courses Management Service technical guidance be available?

A: CMS technical guidance has been available on the HE Gateway since May 2025.

Q3: Will providers need to upload both courses for continuing students and courses for the LLE for English domiciled students?

A:  Yes, providers will need to submit courses for continuing students under the current student finance regulations. They will also need to submit LLE-funded courses starting on or after 1 January 2027.
The number of versions of courses you will need to enter in CMS depends on what is included in your catalogue:

• If your catalogue of courses will remain the same as they are in the current AY, when course collection opens you will have 2 versions to set up.

1. One version for your returning English/Welsh/Scottish/NI and new Welsh/Scottish/NI students using the current rollover process
2. One version for your new English students for which all the data will need to be entered.

• If your catalogue of courses remains the same as they are today, but you now also wish to add module courses, you will have to set up 3 versions.

1. One version for your returning English/Welsh/Scottish/NI and new Welsh/Scottish/NI students,
2. One version for your new English students
3. One for all the new modules you intend to run

The Courses Service Definition provides more detailed information on this, you can find it in LLE resources page of the HEP Services website.

Q4: Are there changes to the course information required?

A: For HE providers that currently submit course information to our CMS, there will be additional course information required. For example, during course collection providers will be asked to enter the study period dates of each year, and the credits associated to each year of the course. These will determine the maximum Tuition Fee Loan a student can apply for.

If you are an FE only provider that chooses to register with OfS you will need to submit course information onto CMS to allow English domiciled students to apply for LLE funding. We will provide a comprehensive engagement and training programme.

We have published updated technical specifications for modules on the HE Gateway, and we have published the Courses Service definition on the LLE resources page. The document includes details on the new fields needed.

Additionally, we have delivered functional training in March and April 2026. We’ve published the courses user guidance for additional support. You can find the training material from the CMS training events on the SLC events page.