The Power to Award Degrees etc. (Academy of Live Technology Ltd) Order 2026

Published: Mon 1st Jun 26

The Office for Students authorised the Academy of Live Technology Ltd to grant taught awards up to master's level in specified technology, business, media, and arts subjects for a fixed term between July 2026 and June 2030.

This Statutory Instrument, The Power to Award Degrees etc. (Academy of Live Technology Ltd) Order 2026, formally authorizes the private education provider Academy of Live Technology Ltd to grant its own taught awards, up to and including master's level, in specific subjects including engineering, computing, business, media, and arts.

Made by the Office for Students under the Higher Education and Research Act 2017, this authorization takes effect on July 1, 2026, and is granted for a fixed term, expiring on June 30, 2030, applying only to students enrolled upon completing their course of study.

Arguments For

Grants an established private provider the authority to award degrees, potentially increasing the diversity and specialization of higher education options available in fields aligned with modern industry needs (engineering, computing, media, business).
The decision is legally grounded in the Higher Education and Research Act 2017, following due process, including seeking and having regard to advice from the relevant quality body (Office for Students).
Implementation is time-bound (fixed term 2026-2030), allowing for periodic review of the provider's performance and standards adherence before renewal.
The authorization is specific to taught awards up to master's level, ensuring a regulated scope of operation within the UK higher education framework.

Arguments Against

Limiting the degree-awarding power to a fixed term might create uncertainty for long-term strategic planning by the institution and its prospective students.
Concerns could arise regarding the alignment of the specific subject areas (e.g., business, media, design) with the rigorous quality standards typically associated with established university degrees.
Extending degree-awarding powers to new, specialized providers may dilute the overall brand and perception of UK higher education quality if oversight is insufficient.
Restricting the award to currently enrolled students completing the specific course of study prevents broader recognition of prior learning or modular achievements.

STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS

2026 No. 562

EDUCATION, ENGLAND

The Power to Award Degrees etc. (Academy of Live Technology Ltd) Order 2026

This heading identifies the document as a Statutory Instrument, specifically number 562 from the year 2026.

It specifies that the legislation applies to Education matters within England and names the instrument as The Power to Award Degrees etc. (Academy of Live Technology Ltd) Order 2026.

Made - - - - 27th May 2026

Coming into force - - 1st July 2026

The Order was formally made on May 27, 2026.

It specifies that the legislative provisions come into legal effect starting on July 1, 2026.

The Office for Students, in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 42(1) and 42(9) of the Higher Education and Research Act 2017( 1 ), makes the following Order.

The Office for Students creates this Order by using the authority granted to it under sections 42(1) and 42(9) of the Higher Education and Research Act 2017.

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 expert feedback from the appropriate regulatory body concerning the educational quality and standards maintained by the Academy of Live Technology Ltd, fulfilling requirements set out in the 2017 Act.

Citation and commencement

This Order may be cited as the Power to Award Degrees etc. (Academy of Live Technology Ltd) Order 2026 and comes into force on 1st July 2026.

Article 1 provides the official short title for the legislation.

It confirms that the Order officially begins to have legal effect on July 1, 2026, matching the commencement date stated earlier.

Authorisation to grant awards

Academy of Live Technology Ltd (registered company number 07591694) is authorised to grant taught awards of the kind mentioned in section 42(2)(c) of the said Act for taught awards up to and including master's level for subjects related to-
(a) engineering and technology,
(b) computing,
(c) business and management,
(d) media, journalism and communications, and
(e) design, and creative and performing arts.

Article 2 grants formal permission to Academy of Live Technology Ltd (Company Number 07591694) to award its own taught degrees, up to the level of Master's.

This authorization is specifically limited to education within the fields of engineering and technology, computing, business management, media/journalism/communications, and creative/performing arts.

The authorisation in article 2 is for a fixed term beginning on 1st July 2026 and expiring at the end of the day on 30th June 2030.

Article 3 establishes a fixed duration for this authority.

The authorization begins on July 1, 2026, and will automatically cease at the close of business on June 30, 2030.

Academy of Live Technology Ltd 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 clause imposes a restriction: the company can only confer the authorized degrees upon individuals who are currently registered students when they successfully finish the corresponding course of study.

| Status: This is the original version (as it was originally made). This item of legislation is currently only available in its original format. |

This note indicates that the text presented is the exact, unmodified version of the Order as it was first enacted.

Currently, no subsequent amendments are incorporated into this published version.

27th May 2026

Jean Arnold Interim Director of Quality and Access Office for Students

This section provides the date of enactment and the signature of the authorized official, Jean Arnold, the Interim Director of Quality and Access at the Office for Students.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order authorises Academy of Live Technology Ltd (UKPRN: 10036456) to grant taught awards mentioned in article 2 of this Order.

The explanatory note confirms that the purpose of the Order is to give authorization to Academy of Live Technology Ltd (identified by UKPRN 10036456) to issue the taught awards detailed in Article 2.

The authorisation is for a fixed term beginning on 1st July 2026 and expiring at the end of the day on 30th June 2030.

This reiterates the time frame for the authorization, specifying it runs from July 1, 2026, until June 30, 2030.

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 issuing body states that a formal impact assessment was not required because the Order does not impose regulatory costs or effects on businesses, civil society organizations, or operations within the public sector.

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