1. Introductory Text

  2. Part 1 The Office for Students

    1. Establishment of the Office for Students

      1. 1.The Office for Students

      2. 2.General duties

    2. The register of English higher education providers

      1. 3.The register

      2. 4.Registration procedure

    3. Registration conditions

      1. 5.The initial and general ongoing registration conditions

      2. 6.The specific ongoing registration conditions

      3. 7.Proportionate conditions

    4. Mandatory registration conditions

      1. 8.Mandatory ongoing registration conditions for all providers

      2. 9.Mandatory transparency condition for certain providers

      3. 10.Mandatory fee limit condition for certain providers

      4. 11.Duty to publish a list regarding the fee limit condition

      5. 12.Mandatory access and participation plan condition for certain institutions

    5. Other registration conditions

      1. 13.Other initial and ongoing registration conditions

      2. 14.Public interest governance condition

    6. Enforcement of ongoing registration conditions

      1. 15.Power to impose monetary penalties

      2. 16.Suspension of registration

      3. 17.Suspension: procedure

      4. 18.De-registration by the OfS

      5. 19.De-registration by the OfS: procedure

      6. 20.De-registration: appeals

      7. 21.Refusal to renew an access and participation plan

    7. Voluntary de-registration

      1. 22.Voluntary de-registration

    8. Quality and standards

      1. 23.Assessing the quality of, and the standards applied to, higher education

      2. 24.Quality Assessment Committee

      3. 25.Rating the quality of, and the standards applied to, higher education

      4. 26.Report on operation of section 25 schemes

      5. 27.Performance of assessment functions by a designated body

      6. 28.Power of designated body to charge fees

    9. Access and participation

      1. 29.Power to approve an access and participation plan

      2. 30.Duration of a plan

      3. 31.Content of a plan: fees

      4. 32.Content of a plan: equality of opportunity

      5. 33.Variation of a plan

      6. 34.Review of decisions on approval or variation

      7. 35.Advice on good practice

      8. 36.Duty to protect academic freedom

      9. 37.Power of Secretary of State to require a report

    10. Student transfers

      1. 38.Duty to monitor etc the provision of arrangements for student transfers

    11. Powers to give financial support

      1. 39.Financial support for registered higher education providers

      2. 40.Financial support for certain institutions

      3. 41.Financial support: terms and conditions

    12. Powers to grant degrees etc

      1. 42.Authorisation to grant degrees etc

      2. 43.Supplementary powers with authorisation

      3. 44.Variation or revocation of section 42 authorisation

      4. 45.Variation or revocation of other authorisations to grant degrees etc

      5. 46.Grant, variation or revocation of authorisation: advice on quality etc

      6. 47.Grant of authorisation: notification of new providers

      7. 48.Variation or revocation of authorisation: procedure

      8. 49.Appeals against variation or revocation of authorisation

      9. 50.Validation by authorised providers

      10. 51.Validation by the OfS

      11. 52.Sections 42 to 49: consequential amendments

      12. 53.Unrecognised degrees

      13. 54.Unrecognised degrees: supplementary

      14. 55.Saving for right to grant degrees under the Ecclesiastical Licences Act 1533

    13. Powers in relation to “university” title

      1. 56.Use of “university” in title of institution

      2. 57.Unauthorised use of “university” in title of institution etc

      3. 58.Revocation of authorisation to use “university” title

      4. 59.Revocation of authorisation: procedure

      5. 60.Appeals against revocation of authorisation

    14. Powers of entry and search

      1. 61.Entering and searching premises with a warrant

    15. Information powers

      1. 62.Power to require information from unregistered providers

      2. 63.Cooperation and information sharing by the OfS

    16. Information duties

      1. 64.Duty to compile and make available higher education information

      2. 65.Duty to publish higher education information

      3. 66.Designated body

      4. 67.Power of designated body to charge fees

    17. Financial sustainability

      1. 68.Duty to monitor and report on financial sustainability

    18. Efficiency studies etc

      1. 69.Studies for improving economy, efficiency and effectiveness

    19. Funding of the OfS

      1. 70.Registration fees

      2. 71.Other fees

      3. 72.Retention of fee related income

      4. 73.Costs recovery

      5. 74.Grants from the Secretary of State

    20. Regulatory framework

      1. 75.Regulatory framework

    21. Supplementary functions

      1. 76.Secretary of State's power to confer supplementary functions

    22. Directions

      1. 77.Secretary of State's power to give directions

    23. Powers of Secretary of State to obtain information and advice

      1. 78.Power to require information and advice from the OfS

      2. 79.Power to require application-to-acceptance information

      3. 80.Use of application-to-acceptance information for research purposes

    24. HEFCE and the DFA

      1. 81.Higher Education Funding Council for England

      2. 82.The Director of Fair Access to Higher Education

    25. Interpretation

      1. 83.Meaning of “English higher education provider” etc

      2. 84.Designation of other providers of higher education

      3. 85.Other definitions

  3. Part 2 Other education measures

    1. Financial support for students

      1. 86.Power to make alternative payments

      2. 87.Section 86: consequential amendments

      3. 88.Other amendments relating to financial support

    2. Student complaints scheme

      1. 89.Qualifying institutions for purposes of student complaints scheme

    3. Deregulation of higher education corporations

      1. 90.Higher education corporations in England

  4. Part 3 Research

    1. Establishment of United Kingdom Research and Innovation

      1. 91.United Kingdom Research and Innovation

      2. 92.The Councils of UKRI

    2. Research and innovation functions and role of the Councils

      1. 93.UK research and innovation functions

      2. 94.Financial support: supplementary provision

      3. 95.Exercise of functions by science and humanities Councils

      4. 96.Exercise of functions by Innovate UK

      5. 97.Exercise of functions by Research England

      6. 98.Exercise of functions by the Councils: supplementary

    3. Strategies and strategic delivery plans

      1. 99.UKRI's research and innovation strategy

      2. 100.Councils' strategic delivery plans

    4. Funding and directions

      1. 101.Grants to UKRI from the Secretary of State

      2. 102.Secretary of State's power to give directions to UKRI

      3. 103.Haldane principle, balanced funding and advice from UKRI

    5. General functions

      1. 104.General duties

      2. 105.Power to require information and advice from UKRI

      3. 106.Studies for improving economy, efficiency and effectiveness

      4. 107.Provision of research services

      5. 108.Representing the United Kingdom

    6. Supplementary

      1. 109.Predecessor bodies and preservation of symbolic property

      2. 110.Amendments to powers to support research

    7. Interpretation

      1. 111.Definitions

  5. Part 4 General

    1. 112.Cooperation and information sharing between the OfS and UKRI

    2. 113.Joint working

    3. 114.Advice to Northern Ireland departments

    4. 115.Transfer schemes

    5. 116.Power to make consequential provision etc

    6. 117.Transitional, transitory or saving provision

    7. 118.Pre-commencement consultation

    8. 119.Regulations

    9. 120.Directions

    10. 121.General interpretation

    11. 122.Minor and consequential amendments

    12. 123.Extent

    13. 124.Commencement

    14. 125.Short title

  6. SCHEDULES

    1. SCHEDULE 1

      The Office for Students

      1. Status

        1. 1.(1) The OfS is not to be regarded—

      2. Membership

        1. 2.(1) The OfS is to consist of the following members...

      3. The Director for Fair Access and Participation

        1. 3.(1) The Director for Fair Access and Participation (“the Director”)...

      4. Terms of appointment and tenure of members

        1. 4.(1) A person holds and vacates office as a member...

        2. 5.(1) A person may resign from office as a member...

      5. Remuneration etc of members

        1. 6.(1) The OfS must pay to members of the OfS...

      6. Staffing of the OfS

        1. 7.(1) The OfS may— (a) appoint employees, and

      7. Committees

        1. 8.(1) The OfS may establish committees, and any committee so...

      8. Procedure

        1. 9.(1) The OfS may determine— (a) its own procedure, and...

        2. 10.The validity of any proceedings of the OfS, or of...

      9. Delegation of functions

        1. 11.(1) The OfS may delegate any of its functions to—...

      10. Accounts and audit

        1. 12.(1) The OfS must— (a) keep proper accounts and proper...

      11. Annual report

        1. 13.(1) The OfS must prepare a report on the performance...

      12. Seal and evidence

        1. 14.(1) The application of the OfS's seal must be authenticated...

      13. Supplementary powers

        1. 15.(1) The OfS may do anything (except borrow money) which...

      14. Public records

        1. 16.In Part 2 of the Table in paragraph 3 of...

      15. Investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner

        1. 17.In Schedule 2 to the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (departments...

      16. House of Commons disqualification

        1. 18.In Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the House of...

      17. Northern Ireland Assembly disqualification

        1. 19.In Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland...

      18. Freedom of information

        1. 20.In Part 6 of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of...

      19. Public sector equality duty

        1. 21.In Part 1 of Schedule 19 to the Equality Act...

    2. SCHEDULE 2

      The fee limit

      1. Introduction

        1. 1.(1) This Schedule is about determining the amount of “the...

      2. The fee limit where the provider has an access and participation plan

        1. 2.(1) This paragraph applies if an access and participation plan...

      3. The fee limit where the provider has no access and participation plan

        1. 3.(1) This paragraph applies if an access and participation plan...

      4. Accelerated courses

        1. 4.(1) The power for regulations to prescribe different amounts for...

      5. Procedure

        1. 5.(1) The Secretary of State must— (a) notify the OfS...

    3. SCHEDULE 3

      Monetary penalties: procedure, appeals and recovery etc

      1. Introduction

        1. 1.This Schedule applies in relation to the imposition by the...

      2. Procedure

        1. 2.(1) Before imposing a monetary penalty on the provider under...

      3. Appeals

        1. 3.(1) The governing body of a provider may appeal to...

      4. Interest and recovery

        1. 4.(1) This paragraph applies if all or part of a...

      5. Retention of sums received

        1. 5.The OfS must pay the sums received by it by...

    4. SCHEDULE 4

      Assessing higher education: designated body

      1. Part 1 Designation

        1. Consultation prior to recommendation

          1. 1.(1) The OfS may consult in accordance with sub-paragraph (3)...

        2. Recommendation

          1. 2.(1) This paragraph applies where the OfS has consulted in...

        3. Designation

          1. 3.(1) This paragraph applies where, in accordance with paragraph 2,...

        4. Bodies suitable to perform assessment functions

          1. 4.(1) A body is suitable to perform the assessment functions...

        5. Removal of designation

          1. 5.(1) The Secretary of State may by notice remove a...

      2. Part 2 Oversight by the OfS

        1. Application

          1. 6.This Part applies if there is a body designated under...

        2. Oversight arrangements

          1. 7.The OfS must make arrangements for holding the designated body...

        3. Annual report by the designated body

          1. 8.(1) As soon as possible after the end of each...

        4. Triennial report by the OfS

          1. 9.(1) As soon as possible after the end of each...

        5. Power of the OfS to give directions

          1. 10.(1) The OfS may give the designated body general directions...

        6. Duty of the OfS to inform the Secretary of State about significant concerns

          1. 11.The OfS must inform the Secretary of State if it...

      3. Part 3 Interpretation

        1. 12.(1) In this Schedule— “the assessment functions” has the meaning...

    5. SCHEDULE 5

      Powers of entry and search etc

      1. Power to issue search warrant

        1. 1.(1) A justice of the peace who is satisfied that...

      2. Application for search warrant by an authorised person

        1. 2.(1) A search warrant may be issued only on the...

      3. Search warrant

        1. 3.(1) A search warrant must— (a) specify the name of...

      4. Powers conferred by search warrant

        1. 4.(1) A search warrant authorises an authorised person—

      5. Entering and searching premises

        1. 5.(1) Where the occupier of the premises to be entered...

      6. Inspecting, copying, seizing and retaining items

        1. 6.(1) The powers conferred by a search warrant to inspect,...

      7. Offence

        1. 7.(1) A person commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse,...

      8. Self-incrimination

        1. 8.(1) An explanation or information provided by a person in...

      9. Interpretation

        1. 9.(1) In this Schedule— “authorised person” has the meaning given...

    6. SCHEDULE 6

      English higher education information: designated body

      1. Part 1 Designation

        1. Consultation prior to recommendation

          1. 1.(1) The OfS may consult in accordance with sub-paragraph (3)...

        2. Recommendation

          1. 2.(1) This paragraph applies where the OfS has consulted in...

        3. Designation

          1. 3.(1) This paragraph applies where, in accordance with paragraph 2...

        4. Bodies suitable to be designated under this Schedule

          1. 4.(1) A body is suitable to be designated under this...

        5. Removal of designation

          1. 5.(1) The Secretary of State may by notice remove a...

      2. Part 2 Oversight by the OfS

        1. Application

          1. 6.This Part applies if there is a body designated under...

        2. Oversight arrangements

          1. 7.The OfS must make arrangements for holding the designated body...

        3. Annual report by the designated body

          1. 8.(1) As soon as possible after the end of each...

        4. Triennial report by the OfS

          1. 9.(1) As soon as possible after the end of each...

        5. Duty of the OfS to inform the Secretary of State about significant concerns

          1. 10.The OfS must inform the Secretary of State if it...

      3. Part 3 Interpretation

        1. 11.(1) In this Schedule— “designated body” means a body for...

    7. SCHEDULE 7

      Costs recovery: procedure, appeals and recovery etc

      1. Introduction

        1. 1.This Schedule applies in relation to the imposition by the...

      2. Procedure

        1. 2.(1) The notice which the OfS gives the governing body...

      3. Appeals

        1. 3.(1) The governing body of a provider may appeal to...

      4. Interest and recovery

        1. 4.(1) This paragraph applies if all or part of an...

      5. Retention of sums received

        1. 5.(1) The OfS must pay the sums received by it...

    8. SCHEDULE 8

      Higher education corporations in England

      1. Education Reform Act 1988

        1. 1.The Education Reform Act 1988 is amended as follows.

        2. 2.In section 122 (orders incorporating higher education institutions maintained by...

        3. 3.Before section 122A insert— Orders for further education corporations in...

        4. 4.In section 122A (orders transferring further education corporations to higher...

        5. 5.In section 123 (provisions supplementary to sections 121 and 122)—...

        6. 6.Before section 124 insert— Principal powers of a higher education...

        7. 7.In section 124 (powers of a higher education corporation)—

        8. 8.Before section 124A insert— Instrument of government of higher education...

        9. 9.In section 124A (constitution and conduct of higher education corporations)—...

        10. 10.In section 124B(2)(b) (accounts), at the beginning insert “ in...

        11. 11.In section 124C (initial and transitional arrangements)—

        12. 12.Before section 125 insert— Articles of government: higher education corporations...

        13. 13.In section 125 (articles of government)— (a) in the heading,...

        14. 14.In section 125A (charitable status of a higher education corporation)—...

        15. 15.In section 127(1) (transfer of staff to higher education corporations),...

        16. 16.Before section 128 insert— Dissolution of higher education corporations in...

        17. 17.In section 128 (dissolution of higher education corporations)—

        18. 18.In section 129(5)(e) (designation of institutions), before “128” insert “...

        19. 19.In section 157(2)(a) (variation of trust deeds etc: institutions conducted...

        20. 20.In section 161(1) (interpretation of Part 2)—

        21. 21.In Schedule 7 (the higher education corporations)—

        22. 22.In Schedule 7A (instruments of government made by Privy Council),...

      2. Further and Higher Education Act 1992

        1. 23.The Further and Higher Education Act 1992 is amended as...

        2. 24.(1) Section 78 (financial years of higher education corporations) is...

        3. 25.In section 90(1) (interpretation of Act), in the definition of...

        4. 26.In section 91 (interpretation of Education Acts), in subsection (6)(b),...

    9. SCHEDULE 9

      United Kingdom Research and Innovation

      1. Status

        1. 1.(1) UKRI is not to be regarded—

      2. Membership of UKRI

        1. 2.(1) UKRI is to consist of the following members appointed...

      3. Membership of the Councils

        1. 3.(1) Each Council is to consist of—

      4. Terms of appointment and tenure

        1. 4.A person holds and vacates office as a member of...

        2. 5.(1) This paragraph applies to a person (a “Ministerial appointee”)...

        3. 6.(1) This paragraph applies to a person (an “UKRI appointee”)...

      5. Remuneration etc

        1. 7.(1) UKRI must pay to members of UKRI and Council...

      6. Staffing of UKRI

        1. 8.(1) UKRI may— (a) appoint employees, and

      7. Executive Committee

        1. 9.(1) UKRI must establish a committee called “the Executive Committee”....

      8. Other committees and sub-committees

        1. 10.(1) UKRI may establish committees (in addition to the Councils...

      9. Procedure

        1. 11.(1) UKRI, a Council and the Executive Committee may each...

        2. 12.The validity of any proceedings of UKRI, or of any...

      10. Delegation of functions by UKRI

        1. 13.(1) UKRI may delegate any of its functions to—

      11. Accounts and audit

        1. 14.(1) UKRI must— (a) keep proper accounts and proper records...

      12. Annual report

        1. 15.(1) UKRI must prepare a report on the exercise of...

      13. Seal and evidence

        1. 16.(1) The application of UKRI's seal must be authenticated by...

      14. Supplementary powers

        1. 17.(1) UKRI may do anything which appears to it to...

      15. Public records

        1. 18.In Part 2 of the Table in paragraph 3 of...

      16. Investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner

        1. 19.In Schedule 2 to the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (departments...

      17. House of Commons disqualification

        1. 20.In Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the House of...

      18. Northern Ireland Assembly disqualification

        1. 21.In Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland...

      19. Freedom of information

        1. 22.In Part 6 of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of...

      20. Public sector equality duty

        1. 23.In Part 1 of Schedule 19 to the Equality Act...

    10. SCHEDULE 10

      Transfer schemes

      1. Transfer schemes

        1. 1.(1) The Secretary of State may make one or more...

      2. Supplementary

        1. 2.(1) The things that may be transferred under a property...

      3. Interpretation

        1. 3.(1) For the purposes of this Schedule—

    11. SCHEDULE 11

      Minor and consequential amendments relating to Part 1

      1. Public Records Act 1958

        1. 1.In Part 2 of the Table in paragraph 3 of...

      2. Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967

        1. 2.In Schedule 2 to the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (departments...

      3. Superannuation Act 1972

        1. 3.In Schedule 1 to the Superannuation Act 1972 (kinds of...

      4. House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975

        1. 4.In Part 3 of Schedule 1 to the House of...

      5. Education (No. 2) Act 1986

        1. 5.(1) Section 43 of the Education (No. 2) Act 1986...

      6. Education Reform Act 1988

        1. 6.The Education Reform Act 1988 is amended as follows.

        2. 7.In section 124B(2)(b) (accounts), for “the higher education funding council”...

        3. 8.(1) Section 128 (dissolution of higher education corporations) is amended...

        4. 9.In section 129(1) (designation of institutions), for “a higher education...

        5. 10.(1) Section 133 (payments in respect of persons employed in...

        6. 11.In Schedule 7 (higher education corporations), in paragraph 18(2)(b), for...

      7. Further and Higher Education Act 1992

        1. 12.The Further and Higher Education Act 1992 is amended as...

        2. 13.In section 61 (interpretation of Part 1), omit subsection (3)(b)....

        3. 14.(1) Section 62 (establishment of the Higher Education Funding Councils)...

        4. 15.(1) Section 65 (administration of funds by councils) is amended...

        5. 16.(1) Section 66 (administration of funds: supplementary) is amended as...

        6. 17.(1) Section 68 (grants to councils) is amended as follows....

        7. 18.(1) Section 69 (supplementary functions) is amended as follows.

        8. 19.Omit section 70 (England: assessment of quality of education provided...

        9. 20.(1) Section 79 (duty to give information to funding councils)...

        10. 21.Omit section 79A (Higher Education Funding Council for England's power...

        11. 22.(1) Section 81 (directions) is amended as follows.

        12. 23.(1) Section 82 (joint exercise of functions) is amended as...

        13. 24.In section 83 (efficiency studies), in subsection (1B), for “A...

        14. 25.In section 91(4) (interpretation of Education Acts), for the words...

        15. 26.(1) Section 92 (index) is amended as follows.

      8. Education Act 1994

        1. 27.(1) Section 18 of the Education Act 1994 (power to...

      9. Education Act 1996

        1. 28.In section 13 of the Education Act 1996 (local authorities'...

      10. Freedom of Information Act 2000

        1. 29.(1) Schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information Act 2000...

      11. Higher Education Act 2004

        1. 30.(1) The Higher Education Act 2004 is amended as follows....

      12. Education Act 2005

        1. 31.(1) The Education Act 2005 is amended as follows.

      13. Equality Act 2010

        1. 32.In Part 1 of Schedule 19 to the Equality Act...

      14. Education Act 2011

        1. 33.In the Education Act 2011, omit the following (which amend...

      15. Charities Act 2011

        1. 34.In Part 2 of Schedule 7 to the Charities Act...

      16. Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015

        1. 35.In section 32(5)(b) of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015...

    12. SCHEDULE 12

      Minor and consequential amendments relating to Part 3

      1. Geological Survey Act 1845

        1. 1.In section 1 of the Geological Survey Act 1845 (power...

      2. Mining Industry Act 1926

        1. 2.In section 23 of the Mining Industry Act 1926 (facilities...

      3. Public Records Act 1958

        1. 3.In Part 2 of the Table in paragraph 3 of...

      4. Science and Technology Act 1965

        1. 4.(1) The Science and Technology Act 1965 is amended as...

      5. Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967

        1. 5.In Schedule 2 to the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (departments...

      6. Agriculture Act 1967

        1. 6.In section 50(3) of the Agriculture Act 1967 (provisions on...

      7. Conservation of Seals Act 1970

        1. 7.(1) The Conservation of Seals Act 1970 is amended as...

      8. Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970

        1. 8.In section 24 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons...

      9. Mineral Exploration and Investment Grants Act 1972

        1. 9.In section 1(3) of the Mineral Exploration and Investment Grants...

      10. Supply Powers Act 1975

        1. 10.In section 7 of the Supply Powers Act 1975 (interpretation),...

      11. House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975

        1. 11.In Part 3 of Schedule 1 to the House of...

      12. Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975

        1. 12.In Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland...

      13. Patents Act 1977

        1. 13.In section 41(3) of the Patents Act 1977 (assignment of...

      14. Further Education Act 1985

        1. 14.In section 2(4)(a) of the Further Education Act 1985 (cases...

      15. Water Resources Act 1991

        1. 15.(1) The Water Resources Act 1991 is amended as follows....

      16. Scotland Act 1998

        1. 16.(1) In Part 2 of Schedule 5 to the Scotland...

      17. Northern Ireland Act 1998

        1. 17.In Schedule 3 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (reserved...

      18. Freedom of Information Act 2000

        1. 18.In Part 6 of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of...

      19. Higher Education Act 2004

        1. 19.Omit sections 1 to 9 of the Higher Education Act...

      20. Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006

        1. 20.In paragraph 9(a) of Part 2 of Schedule 5 to...

      21. Government of Wales Act 2006

        1. 21.The Government of Wales Act 2006 is amended as follows....

        2. 22.(1) Schedule 3A (functions exercisable concurrently or jointly with the...

        3. 23.In paragraph 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 7 (Acts...

        4. 24.(1) In Part 2 of Schedule 7A (specific reservations) (which...

      22. Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 5)

        1. 25.In sections 116(1), 117, 118(2), 120(1), 121(1), 125 and 129(2)(b)...

      23. Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 (nawm 1)

        1. 26.(1) The table in Schedule 6 to the Welsh Language...

      24. Antarctic Act 2013

        1. 27.(1) In section 10(4) of the Antarctic Act 2013 (the...

      25. Public Service Pensions Act 2013

        1. 28.(1) Schedule 10 to the Public Service Pensions Act 2013...

      26. Psychoactive Substances Act 2016

        1. 29.In paragraph 4 of Schedule 2 to the Psychoactive Substances...