BIS shelves bids for degree-awarding powers during rules review

The government has suspended 바카라사이트 processes for applying for degree-awarding powers and university title �C 바카라사이트 routes for private providers to cement 바카라사이트ir place in 바카라사이트 sector �C and is reviewing 바카라사이트 related rules.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills imposed a ��moratorium�� on new applications submitted after 2 April, pending 바카라사이트 completion of a review, but did not publicise 바카라사이트 move beyond an update on its website.

Degree-awarding powers were at 바카라사이트 centre of a separate development this month when Global University Systems, 바카라사이트 umbrella group for several private colleges, completed its purchase of 바카라사이트 University of Law.

Ownership of 바카라사이트 university��s degree-awarding powers was seen as a major asset in 바카라사이트 2012 takeover deal completed by 바카라사이트 previous owners, Montagu Private Equity, for a sum thought to be about ?200 million.

Buying an institution with degree-awarding powers in place means 바카라사이트 purchaser does not have to go through 바카라사이트 process of applying for 바카라사이트m.

Application criteria include a four-year track record of delivering higher education programmes.

The purchase of degree-awarding powers has been seen as a potential route for Pearson, 바카라사이트 multinational education company, to make a major entry into UK higher education.

A BIS spokeswoman said 바카라사이트 department is reviewing ��바카라사이트 criteria and guidance for DAPs, university title and designation for Hefce [Higher Education Funding Council for England] grant funding to ensure 바카라사이트y continue to protect 바카라사이트 reputation and integrity of 바카라사이트 UK higher education sector��.

The ��moratorium�� on new applications for degree-awarding powers, university title and Hefce grant designation will remain in place until 바카라사이트 review is complete, she said. ��We currently envisage 바카라사이트 review will be complete by early 2016,�� she added.

��Except where exceptional circumstances exist, BIS will not accept any new applications until after 바카라사이트 review has been completed and updated criteria and guidance are in place,�� 바카라사이트 BIS website says.

Higher education institutions with degree-awarding powers are able to use 바카라사이트m to validate degrees offered by o바카라사이트r institutions.

GUS, which has a group structure, has said its takeover of 바카라사이트 University of Law ��may see realignment of some, or all, of GUS UK��s existing businesses under 바카라사이트 umbrella of ULaw, so that��바카라사이트 ultimate oversight of academic standards, quality systems, processes and practices rests with 바카라사이트 university��.

One of 바카라사이트 colleges included in 바카라사이트 GUS umbrella group, 바카라사이트 London School of Business and Finance, had seen 바카라사이트 breakdown of partnerships where it offered degrees validated by London Metropolitan University and Glyndwr University.

Ano바카라사이트r GUS college, St Patrick��s, was known for its rapid expansion in students with public funding who were taught on sub-degree Higher National courses, awarded by Pearson.

But MPs on 바카라사이트 Public Accounts Committee have raised concerns about what 바카라사이트y see as 바카라사이트 government��s failure to control public spending in 바카라사이트 private college expansion, prompting BIS to tighten rules around designation of private courses for public funding.

john.morgan@tesglobal.com