Degree awarding powers
DAPs assessment reports
This page lists the reports that assessment teams have completed relating to providers’ applications to be awarded degree awarding powers.
See the DAPs end assessment report
Dyson Technical Training Limited, which trades under the name the Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology, has been awarded full taught degree awarding powers (Full DAPs) by the OfS, after completing its New DAPs probationary period.
The OfS appointed an assessment team in October 2023 to provide expert advice about the quality of and standards applied to higher education courses and whether the provider has met the DAPs criteria, through the operation of its New DAPs probationary period. The conclusion of that assessment was a report, which was considered by the OfS’s Quality Assessment Committee (QAC), which in turn provided the OfS with advice on the application made for DAPs.
The OfS considered this information to complete a final assessment, also drawing on its knowledge of the suitability of the provider to hold the DAPs it had applied for, with a focus on the provider’s ongoing compliance with the OfS’s conditions of registration.
The OfS authorised time-limited Full degree awarding powers (Full DAPs) for Dyson Technical Training Limited to award Taught degrees, up to and including Level 7 (all subjects) for a period of three years and three months until 30 November 2027.
See the DAPs Order for Dyson Technical Training Limited
The London Interdisciplinary School has been awarded full taught degree awarding powers (Full DAPs) by the OfS, after completing its New DAPs probationary period.
The OfS appointed an assessment team in February 2024 to provide expert advice regarding the quality of and standards applied to higher education courses and whether the provider has met the DAPs criteria, through the operation of its New DAPs probationary period. The conclusion of that assessment was a report, which was considered by the OfS’s Quality Assessment Committee (QAC), which in turn provided the OfS with advice on the application made for DAPs.
The OfS considered this information to complete a final assessment, also drawing on its knowledge of the suitability of the provider to hold the DAPs it had applied for, with a focus on the provider’s ongoing compliance with the OfS’s conditions of registration.
The OfS has authorised The London Interdisciplinary School to grant taught awards up to and including masters’ level (Level 7), to persons enrolled with it at the time they complete the course of study for which the award is granted. The Order is for a fixed term beginning on 1 January 2025 and expiring on 31 December 2028.
See the DAPs Order for The London Interdisciplinary School Limited
Luminate Education Group, previously known as Leeds City College, was awarded time-limited foundation degree awarding powers (DAPs) by the Privy Council on 27 March 2018. This Order took effect from 1 September 2018 and expired on 31 August 2024.
The OfS appointed an assessment team in November 2023 to provide expert advice about the quality of, and standards applied to, higher education courses and whether the provider has met the DAPs criteria to:
- continue to award foundation degrees
- extend the level of its powers to award bachelors’ degrees.
The team produced an assessment report, which the OfS’s Quality Assessment Committee (QAC) considered. The committee then provided advice to the OfS.
The OfS authorised indefinite foundation degree awarding powers and time-limited bachelor’s degree awarding powers. This allows the provider to award bachelors’ degrees, up to and including Level 6 (for all subjects), for a period of four years, until 31 August 2028.
The Northern School of Art has been awarded full taught degree awarding powers (Full DAPs) by the OfS for a time limited period from 1 October 2024 to 1 October 2028.
The OfS appointed an assessment team in October 2023 to provide expert advice regarding the quality of and standards applied to higher education courses and whether the provider has met the DAPs criteria. The conclusion of that assessment was a report, which was considered by the OfS’s Quality Assessment Committee (QAC), which in turn provided the OfS with advice on the application made for DAPs.
The OfS considered this information to complete a final assessment, also drawing on its knowledge of the suitability of the provider to hold the DAPs it had applied for, with a focus on the provider’s ongoing compliance with the OfS’s conditions of registration.
The OfS has made an order awarding The Northern School of Art with time-limited full degree awarding powers (Full DAPs) to award taught degrees, up to and including Level 7 (all subjects) for a period of four years. This authorisation takes effect from 1 October 2024.
Regent’s University London has been awarded full taught degree awarding powers (taught DAPs) by the OfS on an indefinite basis, after being awarded taught DAPs on a time-limited basis for four years.
The OfS appointed an assessment team in October 2023 to provide expert advice about the quality of and standards applied to higher education courses and whether the provider continued to meet the DAPs criteria. The conclusion of that assessment was a report, which was considered by the OfS’s Quality Assessment Committee (QAC), which in turn provided the OfS with advice on the application made for a variation to the existing DAPs order.
The OfS considered this information to complete a final assessment, also drawing on its knowledge of the suitability of the provider to hold the DAPs it had applied for, with a focus on the provider’s ongoing compliance with the OfS’s conditions of registration.
The OfS has made a degree awarding powers (DAPs) order for Warwickshire College to authorise the provider to grant awards up to and including bachelors’ degrees on an indefinite basis with effect from 1 January 2025. The provider was previously authorised to award such awards for a time-limited period ending on 31 December 2024. The new order removes this time limit.
The OfS appointed an assessment team in January 2024 to provide expert advice about the quality of and standards applied to higher education courses and whether the provider continued to meet the DAPs criteria. The conclusion of that assessment was a report, which was considered by the OfS’s Quality Assessment Committee (QAC), which in turn provided the OfS with advice on the application made for a variation to the existing DAPs order.
The OfS considered this information to complete a final assessment, also drawing on its knowledge of the suitability of the provider to hold the DAPs it had applied for, with a focus on the provider’s ongoing compliance with the OfS’s conditions of registration.
Specific restrictions
The order restricts the college from using its powers with other institutions through a validation or subcontracted partnership. The college will only be allowed to authorise awards to students who register with and study at the college. The restriction has been put in place due to the assessment identifying uncertainty about the provider’s long-term financial viability and sustainability. This risk suggests the provider may not have the financial resources to additionally meet its obligations to students taught under a validation or subcontracting arrangement. The provider is taking steps to improve its financial position in line with a notice to improve issued by the Education and Skills Funding Agency, which regulates and monitors the college’s financial sustainability.
The OfS’s judgement was that the college is suitable to hold DAPs, and the restrictions will help minimise the potential harm to current and future students should financial risks materialise. Should there be a positive material change to the college’s financial position, it can apply to the OfS to vary its DAPs powers and remove this restriction.
See the DAPs orders for Warwickshire College:
Last updated 12 February 2025 + show all updates
12 February 2025 - We have published DAPs assessment reports for Regent’s University and Warwickshire College.
14 January 2025 - We have published the Degree awarding powers (DAPs) assessment report for The London Interdisciplinary School Limited.
13 December 2024 - We have published the Degree awarding powers (DAPs) assessment report for Luminate Education Group.
05 December 2024 - We have published the Degree awarding powers (DAPs) assessment report for The Northern School of Art.
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