The Power to Award Degrees etc. (University for the Creative Arts) Order 2025

Education

Published: Wed 29th Oct 25

This Order, issued by the Office for Students under the Higher Education and Research Act 2017, grants the University for the Creative Arts the temporary authority to confer research awards for a fixed term commencing on December 1, 2025, and ending on November 29, 2028, following consultation with the required advisory body, and further allows the University to delegate this awarding power to specified institutions.

Arguments For

Grants specific, necessary authority to the University for the Creative Arts to issue recognized academic qualifications, ensuring regulatory compliance under the Higher Education and Research Act 2017.
Provides a clear, time-bound regulatory framework for the university’s research awards, which suggests the authorization is conditional and subject to ongoing review by the regulator.
Confirms the necessary regulatory step (seeking and having regard to advice from the relevant body) has been completed, supporting the legitimacy and quality assurance of the authorization.

Arguments Against

The fixed term (three years) of the authorization may introduce regulatory uncertainty for the institution compared to permanent powers, potentially complicating long-term strategic planning.
Concentrates significant 'power to grant awards' authority within the regulatory body (Office for Students), which could be viewed as bureaucratic oversight on academic freedoms, even if legally mandated.
The instrument is minor in scope (no business impact assessment required), suggesting minimal public scrutiny beyond the immediate sector, potentially overlooking broader implications for higher education competitiveness.

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 made the following Order.

The Office for Students formally established this legal instrument by using the powers granted to it under sections 42(1) and 43(1) 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 this Order, the regulator sought and considered expert advice concerning the educational quality and standards maintained by the University for the Creative Arts, fulfilling a requirement under section 46 of the governing Act.

Citation and commencement

This Order may be cited as the Power to Award Degrees etc. (University for the Creative Arts) Order 2025 and comes into force on 1st December 2025.

This article names the instrument as the Power to Award Degrees etc. (University for the Creative Arts) Order 2025.

The legislation officially takes legal effect starting on December 1, 2025.

Authorisation to grant awards

University for the Creative Arts 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 1st December 2025 and expiring at the end of the day on 29th November 2028.

The University for the Creative Arts receives official permission to issue specific types of research awards, as defined in the Act.

This authorization is temporary, starting on December 1, 2025, and ending precisely at the close of November 29, 2028.

University for the Creative Arts may authorise other institutions to grant such awards as specified in article 2 of this Order on its behalf.

The university holding the authority can delegate the power to issue these research awards to other specified educational institutions, allowing them to act as representatives.

EXPLANATORY NOTE (This note is not part of the Order)

This Order authorises University for the Creative Arts to grant research awards for a fixed term beginning on 1st December 2025 and expiring at the end of the day on 29th November 2028.

This note clarifies the intent of the Order, stating that it enables the University for the Creative Arts to confer research awards during a specific three-year period that spans from late 2025 to late 2028.

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 government body determined that a formal impact assessment was unnecessary because this administrative change does not affect businesses, civil society groups, or public sector operations outside its direct regulatory scope.

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