The Power to Award Degrees etc. (Cornwall College) Order 2025
The Power to Award Degrees etc. (Cornwall College) Order 2025 authorizes Cornwall College to grant taught awards.
The college receives indefinite authorization for awards up to the foundation level and a fixed-term authorization (until May 15, 2030) for awards up to the bachelor's level.
This authorization is granted under the Higher Education and Research Act 2017, following advice from the relevant body regarding educational quality and standards.
Arguments For
Improved access to higher education: The order expands Cornwall College's capacity to offer higher education qualifications, potentially increasing access for local students.
Enhanced local educational provision: Granting Cornwall College the power to grant degrees strengthens the local educational ecosystem, reducing the need for students to travel elsewhere for higher education.
Alignment with Higher Education and Research Act 2017: The order operates within the legal framework set by the Act, ensuring compliance and proper governance.
Supports regional economic development: Increased access to higher education skills can positively impact the economic development of the Cornwall region.
Arguments Against
Potential for reduced quality control: While the Office for Students provides oversight, there might be concerns about maintaining quality standards with increased institutions offering degrees.
Resource implications for Cornwall College: Granting these powers requires additional resources and investments from the college to manage and support the increased educational offerings.
Limited scope of the order: This order solely focuses on Cornwall College; a broader approach might be needed to address regional educational needs more holistically.
Lack of explicit impact assessment of broader community implications: While stated that 'no impact assessment has been produced' for this instrument, other areas such as the wider impact on regional universities, need to be considered.
- This Order may be cited as the Power to Award Degrees etc. (Cornwall College) Order 2025 and comes into force on 16th May 2026.
This section provides the official title of the Order and states its effective date as May 16, 2026.
This ensures clarity in referencing the document and when its provisions become legally binding.
- Cornwall College (also known as The Cornwall College Group) is authorised to grant awards of the kind mentioned in section 42(2)(a) of the said Act for taught awards up to and including foundation level for an indefinite period.
This section grants Cornwall College indefinite authorization to award degrees up to the foundation level.
The authorization specifically refers to the types of awards outlined in section 42(2)(a) of the Higher Education and Research Act 2017.
This is a permanent grant of powers.
- Cornwall College may authorise other institutions to grant such awards as specified in article 2 of this Order on its behalf.
Cornwall College has the power to delegate the authority to grant awards (as defined in Article 2) to other institutions.
This allows Cornwall College to potentially expand its reach and educational collaborations.
- Cornwall College is authorised to grant awards of the kind mentioned in section 42(2)(a) of the said Act for taught awards up to and including bachelor’s level for a fixed term beginning on 16th May 2026 and expiring at the end of the day on 15th May 2030.
This section grants Cornwall College temporary authorization (until May 15, 2030) to grant degrees up to the bachelor's level.
Similar to Article 2, the authorization is explicitly linked to section 42(2)(a) of the Higher Education and Research Act 2017.
This is a time-limited grant of powers.
EXPLANATORY NOTE (This note is not part of the Order) This Order authorises Cornwall College (also known as Cornwall College Group) to grant the taught awards mentioned in article 2 of this Order for an indefinite period, and the taught awards mentioned in article 4 of this order for a fixed term beginning on 16th May 2026 and expiring at the end of the day on 15th May 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.
This explanatory note summarizes the Order's key provisions, confirming the indefinite and fixed-term authorizations for award granting.
It also notes the absence of an impact assessment due to its perceived lack of broader effect on businesses, civil society, or the public sector.
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