The Sheffield College could be forced to pay back part of its funding amid an investigation into allegations of maladministration.
An external audit is under way looking into the college’s provision for people learning English as a foreign language.
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) provides £11.6m each year for adult skills at the college and launched an investigation last year into potential fraud after it was flagged up by auditors, however no fraud has been found at this time.
The college said it had put money aside “as a contingency measure” but declined to specify the amount “as the audit is ongoing”.
SYMCA launched an investigation into the college’s English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) provision in July 2025.
In November that year, SYMCA published its auditors’ annual report which said: “The investigation was into claims of maladministration and fraud in relation to The Sheffield College’s adult ESOL delivery.”
SYMCA auditors said they had taken action as part of a routine “fraud response plan”.
South Yorkshire Police said the force was not investigating at this time.
The college confirmed an investigation had taken place after concerns were raised about “some achievement claims and associated certification for ESOL students in 2023/24”.
