The Power to Award Degrees etc. (The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts) Order 2025
The Office for Students granted the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) authorization to award taught degrees up to the master’s level in engineering and technology, business and management, and design, creative, and performing arts.
This authorization, effective from September 15, 2025, to September 14, 2029, followed a review and considers advice from relevant bodies, in accordance with the Higher Education and Research Act 2017.
The authorization is specifically limited to students enrolled at LIPA at the time of course completion.
Arguments For
Meeting educational needs: The authorization addresses a need for the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) to offer degree programs in areas like engineering, business, and the arts, potentially expanding access to higher education in these fields.
Supporting institutional growth: This decision allows LIPA to grow its programs and potentially enhance its reputation and attract more students, leading to economic benefits for the institution and the wider community. Evidence for the need would likely include LIPA's application and the Office for Students' assessment process.
Alignment with national policy: The authorization aligns with the UK government's efforts to promote high-quality higher education and improve access to diverse degree programs. The Higher Education and Research Act 2017 provides the legal basis. Implementation involves the Office for Students reviewing LIPA's application and compliance with national standards.
Boosting regional economies: Authorizing the degrees may enhance LIPA's ability to provide skilled graduates to the regional economy.
Arguments Against
Potential for quality control challenges: Granting authorization may require diligent oversight to ensure LIPA upholds high educational standards in all granted fields. The plan for quality assurance would need to be robust and evidence-based.
Resource implications for LIPA: Expanding degree offerings may strain LIPA’s resources, including staffing, infrastructure, and financial resources. The institution needs sufficient resources to maintain quality in its expanded scope.
Unintended effects on the competitive landscape: Expanding LIPA’s offerings could impact the competitive landscape of the higher education market, potentially affecting other institutions. Careful consideration of the broader systemic impact is needed.
Limited duration of authorization: The 4-year authorization may hinder longer-term strategic planning and the development of educational capacity. The justification for a 4-year rather than longer period should be well-defined.
The Office for Students, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 42(1) and (9) of the Higher Education and Research Act 20171, makes the following Order.
The Office for Students uses its legal authority under the Higher Education and Research Act 2017 to issue this order.
This order outlines the terms by which LIPA may grant certain degrees.
The Office for Students has requested advice from the relevant body regarding the quality of, and standards applied to, higher education provided by the provider, and has had regard to that advice, in accordance with section 46(1)(a) and (7) of that Act.
Before making the decision, the Office for Students sought and considered professional advice on the quality of LIPA's higher education programs.
This follows the procedures outlined in the Higher Education and Research Act.
- This Order may be cited as the Power to Award Degrees etc. (The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts) Order 2025 and shall come into force on 15th September 2025.
This section sets the official title and effective start date of the order as September 15th, 2025.
- The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (registered company number 02511501) is authorised to grant awards of the kind mentioned in section 42(2)(c) of the said Act for taught awards up to and including master’s degree level for subjects relating to— (a) engineering and technology, (b) business and management, and (c) design, and creative and performing arts.
This section authorises the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) to award taught degrees (up to master's level) in engineering and technology, business and management, and design, creative, and performing arts.
The authorization references the relevant section number of the Higher Education and Research Act 2017.
- The authorisation in article 2 is for a fixed term beginning on 15th September 2025 and expiring at the end of the day on 14th September 2029.
The authorization granted to LIPA is valid for a defined period, from September 15th, 2025, to September 14th, 2029.
- The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts may only grant the awards specified in article 2 to persons enrolled with it at the time they complete the course of study for which the award is granted.
This section clarifies that LIPA can only grant the specified awards to students who were enrolled with them throughout the course.
EXPLANATORY NOTE (This note is not part of the Order) This Order authorises the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts to grant the taught awards mentioned in article 2 of this Order for a fixed term beginning on 15th September 2025 and expiring at the end of the day on 14th September 2029. An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it has no impact on businesses and civil society organisations. The instrument has no impact on the public sector.
This explanatory note summarizes the order's main points.
It also states that no impact assessment was deemed necessary because the order is not expected to affect businesses, civil society, or the public sector.