Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there are any legal restrictions on the ability of an organisation or institution operating in England to use the term "university" as part of its title.

There are two legislative restrictions in place. “University” is a sensitive word under company law^[1], which means permission from the Secretary of State under the Companies Act 2006, following a non-objection letter from the Department for Education, is required before it can be used in a business or company name. Also, under section 39 of the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998, an institution cannot offer educational services under a name which includes “university” unless authorised by Act or Royal Charter or approved by the Privy Counsel.

[1] Company, Limited Liability Partnerships and Business Names (Sensitive Words and Expressions) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/3140)