Abstract
The increasing financial challenges in the UK higher education sector necessitate strategic responses to ensure long-term sustainability. One emerging approach is the adoption of an omnichannel delivery model, integrating online and in-person learning to enhance accessibility and student engagement. This paper explores the application of a risk management framework to quality assurance within an omnichannel higher education context. Specifically, it examines whether risk management can support innovation while maintaining educational standards. Using an action research methodology, the study evaluates a UK business school’s implementation of risk-based quality assurance across two case studies: a new physical campus location and a franchise-based online partnership. Findings will inform institutional strategies for mitigating risks associated with omnichannel education while aligning with accreditation standards. This research contributes to the growing discourse on risk management’s role in fostering innovation and ensuring quality in higher education, with implications for institutions navigating digital and structural transitions.