The Power to Award Degrees etc. (Royal Northern College of Music) Order 2025
The Office for Students authorized the Royal Northern College of Music to grant research awards for a fixed term between 2026 and 2030.
This Statutory Instrument, made by the Office for Students under the Higher Education and Research Act 2017, formally authorizes the Royal Northern College of Music to grant specific types of research awards for a fixed term running from January 5, 2026, until January 4, 2030, and permits the College to authorize other institutions to make these awards on its behalf.
Arguments For
Empowers a specialist institution (Royal Northern College of Music) to grant higher education qualifications it is capable of awarding, fulfilling its educational mission.
Provides regulatory clarity and assurance regarding the quality and standards of research awards through the oversight of the Office for Students, following statutory advice requirements (Section 46(1)(a) and (7) of the HE&RA Act 2017).
Establishes a defined timeframe (fixed term) for the authorization, allowing for periodic review and accountability by the regulator.
Arguments Against
The fixed term nature of the authorization (2026-2030) introduces temporary regulatory status, potentially requiring future administrative effort for renewal or modification.
Granting specific powers via an Order requires procedural steps, although the explanatory note confirms minimal impact assessment was required, suggesting low procedural burden for this specific instance.
The Office for Students, in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 42(1) and 43(1) of the Higher Education and Research Act 2017, 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.
The Office for Students officially issues this Order, utilizing the powers granted under sections 42(1) and 43(1) of the Higher Education and Research Act 2017.
Before making this decision, the Office for Students sought and considered advice from the appropriate body concerning the quality and standards of the education provided by the institution involved, as required by section 46(1)(a) and (7) of the Act.
Citation and commencement
- This Order may be cited as the Power to Award Degrees etc. (Royal Northern College of Music) Order 2025 and comes into force on 5th January 2026.
The formal name of this legislation is 'The Power to Award Degrees etc. (Royal Northern College of Music) Order 2025'.
This authorization officially begins on January 5, 2026.
Authorisation to grant awards
- Royal Northern College of Music is authorised to grant research awards of the kind mentioned in section 42(2)(a) of the said Act for a fixed term beginning on 5th January 2026 and expiring at the end of the day on 4th January 2030.
The Royal Northern College of Music receives authorization to confer research awards, specifically those defined in section 42(2)(a) of the Higher Education and Research Act 2017.
This authority is granted for a set period, starting on January 5, 2026, and ending on January 4, 2030.
- Royal Northern College of Music may authorise other institutions to grant such awards as specified in article 2 of this Order on its behalf.
The College is permitted to delegate the authority to grant the research awards specified in Article 2 to other educational institutions.
This delegation means those other institutions can issue these awards contingent upon the Royal Northern College of Music's authorization.
EXPLANATORY NOTE (This note is not part of the Order)
This Order authorises Royal Northern College of Music (UKPRN: 10007837) to grant research awards for a fixed term beginning on 5th January 2026 and expiring at the end of the day on 4th January 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 purpose of this Order is to grant the Royal Northern College of Music (identified by UKPRN 10007837) the power to issue research awards for a defined period from January 5, 2026, until January 4, 2030.
Regulators confirm that this instrument required no formal impact assessment because it does not affect businesses, civil society groups, or the public sector.
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