The Power to Award Degrees etc. (LTE Group Limited) Order 2025

Published: Mon 14th Jul 25 Came into force: Thu 1st Jan 26

Department: Office for Students
Made under: Higher Education and Research Act 2017

The Office for Students authorized LTE Group Limited to grant taught awards up to bachelor's degree level in specific subjects for a fixed term.

The Office for Students has authorized LTE Group Limited to grant taught awards up to bachelor's degree level in design, creative and performing arts, computing, and business and management.

This authorization, effective January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2029, is based on advice received by the Office for Students regarding the quality of LTE Group Limited's education and adheres to the Higher Education and Research Act 2017.

An impact assessment was deemed unnecessary due to the limited foreseen effects on the public and private sectors.

Arguments For

Meeting educational needs: The authorization addresses a potential gap in the provision of higher education by enabling LTE Group Limited to offer taught programs in design, creative and performing arts, computing, and business and management.
Economic benefits: The authorization may stimulate economic activity by supporting the growth of a higher education provider and potentially increasing educational opportunities locally.
Alignment with existing legislation: The Order is made under the powers granted by the Higher Education and Research Act 2017, providing a clear legal basis, and the Office for Students has considered advice from a relevant body regarding quality and standards.
Transparent process: The Office for Students's decision-making process involved seeking and considering advice on the quality of education provided by LTE Group Limited, adding transparency and accountability.

Arguments Against

Limited scope: The authorization is specific to LTE Group Limited and a limited set of subjects, potentially overlooking other providers or educational needs.
Temporal constraint: The fixed-term authorization (until December 31, 2029) may create uncertainty and limit long-term planning for LTE Group Limited and students.
Lack of detailed assessment: The absence of an impact assessment, due to perceived minimal impact on businesses, organizations, and the public sector, may not fully capture potential consequences, positive or negative.
Potential for future review: The authorization's specific conditions and limited duration suggest a need for future review to assess its ongoing suitability and effectiveness.

The Office for Students, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 42(1) and 42(9) of the Higher Education and Research Act 20171, makes the following Order. 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.

This introductory section states that the Office for Students (OfS), using its authority under the Higher Education and Research Act 2017, created this Order.

The OfS sought and considered advice on the quality of the education provided before making this decision.

This shows a commitment to evaluating the educational standards of participating institutions.

Citation and commencement

1.

This Order may be cited as the Power to Award Degrees etc. (LTE Group Limited) Order 2025 and shall come into force on 1st January 2026.

This section provides the official title of the Order – "Power to Award Degrees etc. (LTE Group Limited) Order 2025" – and establishes its effective date as January 1st, 2026.

This is standard legal practice for specifying citation and commencement.

Authorisation to grant awards

2.

LTE Group Limited (registered company number 11726027) 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 bachelor’s degree level for subjects relating to—

(a)

design and creative and performing arts,

(b)

computing, and

(c)

business and management.

This section grants LTE Group Limited the authority to award degrees and other qualifications.

Specifically, it permits the awarding of taught qualifications up to and including a bachelor's degree.

The authorized subjects are design and creative/performing arts, computing, and business and management.

This authorization refers to a specific section of the Higher Education and Research Act 2017 for the legal basis of the power to grant such awards.

3.

The authorisation in article 2 is for a fixed term beginning on 1st January 2026 and expiring at the end of the day on 31st December 2029.

This section clarifies that the authorization given to LTE Group Limited is temporary, starting January 1st, 2026, and ending December 31st, 2029.

The temporary nature signifies a potential review after this date.

4.

LTE Group Limited 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 stipulates that LTE Group Limited can only award degrees to students who are enrolled with them when they finish their studies.

This condition ensures a direct link between the institution and its degree recipients.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order authorises LTE Group Limited to grant the taught awards mentioned in article 2 of this Order for a fixed term beginning on 1st January 2026 and expiring at the end of the day on 31st December 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.

The explanatory note summarizes the Order's purpose, which is to authorize LTE Group Limited to grant specific awards for a set period.

It also notes that a formal impact assessment was not conducted because no significant impact on businesses, civil society organizations, or the public sector was anticipated.

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