Regulatory advice 17: Variation and revocation of degree awarding powers
This regulatory advice sets out guidance about how and under what circumstances the Office for Students (OfS) might vary or revoke a provider’s degree awarding powers (DAPs) authorisation.
It applies to all higher education providers in England that hold a DAPs authorisation, irrespective of how that authorisation was originally granted.
- Ref:
- 2019.48
- Date:
- 9 December 2019
The operational guidance annexed to this regulatory advice was updated in August 2025 to streamline the DAPs evidence requirements and make the assessment process more efficient. Providers applying for DAPs will be able to decide whether to be assessed against the revised evidence requirements or those set out in Annex C of the regulatory framework.
Last updated 21 August 2025 + show all updates
21 August 2025 - We have updated Annex B.
28 July 2023 - We have made small corrections to paragraph referencing and some of the text in Annex B.
27 July 2023 - Annex B published: Operational guidance on assessment of DAPs variation and revocation.
01 May 2022 - Link added to list of consequential changes to conditions of registration, in effect from 1 May 2022.
17 June 2021 - Updated to reflect that we are accepting DAPs applications
16 December 2020 - Update to the alert message.
15 May 2020 - Notice added about the suspension of applications for degree awarding powers.
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