Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the circumstances under which an institution may either lose degree-awarding powers, or lose the right to a university title.

Under current guidance[1], some types of degree-awarding powers (i.e. for institutions in the further education sector and institutions that are not funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England) are made on a six-yearly renewable basis. Therefore, these powers are not automatically renewed.

As set out in published guidance[2], in circumstances such as a change of ownership or control, an assessment is made of any provider with university title or degree-awarding powers to determine whether the change would affect the continuing eligibility of that provider to hold university title or degree-awarding powers.

[1] ‘Guidance for higher education providers: criteria and process for applying for taught degree awarding powers and research degree awarding powers’

[2] ‘Guidance for higher education providers: criteria and process for applying for taught degree awarding powers and research degree awarding powers’ and ‘Guidance for higher education providers for applying for university title and university college title’