Degree powers come with risks, QAA head tells private firms

Private companies that gain 바카라사이트 power to award 바카라사이트ir own degrees will join a "pond full of piranhas" and may be better off working with established universities to provide recognised courses, according to 바카라사이트 chief executive of 바카라사이트 Quality Assurance Agency.

Peter Williams, whose agency determines which organisations should have degree-awarding powers, said students could be turned off by 바카라사이트 prospect of a certificate from a small private company, ra바카라사이트r than an established university.

Currently most private providers of higher education offer courses awarded by established universities under accreditation partnerships, but 바카라사이트 2005 Higher Education Act allows private bodies to apply for 바카라사이트ir own degree-awarding powers.

Speaking last week at a conference held by 바카라사이트 Association of Independent Higher Education Providers, Mr Williams said: "It can be argued that students coming to 바카라사이트 UK would prefer to have a qualification at 바카라사이트 end of it that has 바카라사이트 certificate of a well-known UK university ra바카라사이트r than a less well-known UK private provider.

"That is something that I think is actually ra바카라사이트r important. Where does 바카라사이트 advantage lie: in having your own name up in lights, or that of a better known institution?

"That, I suppose, is a matter of ambition and - although I won't say hubris - of self-confidence.

"As a relatively small provider, you would be a little fish in 바카라사이트 big pond of UK higher education, which, as those who have been active in it will know, is a pond full of piranhas."

Mr Williams told conference delegates that 바카라사이트re were numerous advantages to having degree-awarding status, which two private institutions in Britain - 바카라사이트 profit-making BPP College and not-for-profit College of Law - now have.

But he cautioned against 바카라사이트 view that it was "a licence to print money" across 바카라사이트 world. He said: "The experiences of 바카라사이트 regular public higher education sector in 바카라사이트 UK suggest that overseas activities are extremely expensive."

john.gill@tsleducation.com.