The Power to Award Degrees etc. (The Engineering and Design Institute London) (Amendment) Order 2025

Education

Published: Thu 3rd Jul 25 Came into force: Fri 1st Aug 25

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

The Order amended existing legislation to authorize The Engineering and Design Institute London to award taught degrees up to master's level in specific subjects for a fixed term.

The Power to Award Degrees etc. (The Engineering and Design Institute London) (Amendment) Order 2025, effective August 1st, 2025, amends a 2024 Order.

It grants The Engineering and Design Institute London a fixed-term (until July 31st, 2029) authorization to award taught degrees up to the master's level in engineering, technology, computing, architecture, business, design, and related fields.

The Office for Students made the Order, following advice on higher education quality standards.

Arguments For

Expanding Educational Opportunities: The amendment broadens the range of higher education options available to students, potentially increasing access to specialized programs in engineering, technology, and related fields.
Supporting Specialized Institutes: This authorization is designed to acknowledge and support the expertise of The Engineering and Design Institute London in specific areas of study, thereby leveraging their skills and resources.
Streamlined Regulatory Process: Using existing legal frameworks reduces bureaucratic complexities. Legislation provides a clear and established process for granting such authority.
Meeting Market Demands: The amendment reflects the need for skilled professionals in areas including engineering, technology, business, and design; offering new pathways for students to enter the workforce.

Arguments Against

Potential for Overcapacity: The expansion of degree-awarding powers could lead to increased competition in the higher education sector, potentially over-saturating specific markets.
Quality Assurance Concerns: Ensuring consistent and high-quality educational standards within the expanded scope of awarded degrees requires robust monitoring and assessment mechanisms.
Limited Timeframe: The fixed-term authorization (2025-2029) creates uncertainty and may hinder long-term institutional planning.
Resource Constraints: The institute might struggle to meet the demands of this expansion if they lack sufficient resources and faculty; this necessitates careful consideration and planning.

Citation and commencement This Order may be cited as the Power to Award Degrees etc. (The Engineering and Design Institute London) (Amendment) Order 2025 and comes into force on 1st August 2025.

This section provides the official title of the Order and its effective date, August 1st, 2025.

It clarifies how the legislation will be referenced and when it becomes legally binding.

Variation of the Power to Award Degrees etc. (The Engineering and Design Institute London) Order 2024 (1) The Power to Award Degrees etc. (The Engineering and Design Institute London) Order 20242 is varied in accordance with paragraph (2). (2) After article 4, insert— “5. The Engineering and Design Institute London 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 level for subjects related to: (a) Engineering and technology; (b) Computing; (c) Architecture, building and planning; (d) Business and management; (e) Combined and general studies; and (f) Design, and creative and performing arts.
The authorisation in article 5 is for a fixed term beginning on 1st August 2025 and expiring at the end of the day on 31st July 2029.
The Engineering and Design Institute London shall only grant the awards specified in article 5 of this Order to persons enrolled with it at the time they complete the course of study for which the award is granted.”

This section details the specific changes made to the 2024 Order.

It adds new articles, authorizing The Engineering and Design Institute London to grant taught awards up to the master's level in several subject areas.

This authorization specifically covers types of awards mentioned in section 42(2)(c) of the Higher Education and Research Act 2017.

The authorization has a specific start and end date, lasting from August 1st, 2025 to July 31st, 2029.

Awards may only be granted to currently enrolled students.

EXPLANATORY NOTE (This note is not part of the Order) This Order varies the Power to Award Degrees etc. (The Engineering and Design Institute London) Order 2024 to authorise The Engineering and Design Institute London to grant the taught awards mentioned in article 2 of this Order for a fixed term beginning on 1st August 2025 and expiring at the end of the day on 31st July 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 purpose: to modify the 2024 Order to allow The Engineering and Design Institute London to offer specific taught degrees for a limited time. It also states that a formal impact assessment was not deemed necessary due to the absence of influence on businesses, civil society, or the public sector.

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