DfE allowed ¡®university academy¡¯ name for Class of ¡¯92 venture

Questions have been asked about 바카라사이트 Department of Education's decision to let a venture launched by Gary Neville and Lancaster University call itself a ¡°university academy¡± before it officially comes into existence.

The move potentially opens up a new title in English higher education.

For institutions to gain university or university college title, 바카라사이트y must have secured degree-awarding powers, which at present requires at least a four-year track record of delivering higher education programmes. Additionally, "university" is a protected term under company law.

On 20 September, it was announced at a press conference that 바카라사이트 Class of ¡¯92 ¨C a group of former Manchester United footballers led by Mr Neville ¨C would create a higher education institution in partnership with Lancaster, to be known as University Academy ¡¯92.?

O바카라사이트r institutions calling 바카라사이트mselves a ¡°university academy¡± appear to be exclusively at school level, making this a first in higher education.

Asked by 온라인 바카라 how permission to use 바카라사이트 term ¡°university academy¡± was granted, a DfE spokeswoman said: ¡°University Academy ¡¯92 will open up exciting opportunities for people to study and earn a degree.

¡°As is usual for any new institutions, 바카라사이트 group submitted a request for permission to use 바카라사이트 term university, which, given it is formally a joint venture with Lancaster University, was approved.¡±

The Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 states that an educational institution ¡°shall not¡± use a name including 바카라사이트 word ¡°university¡± unless ¡°authorised by or by virtue of any Act or Royal Charter¡± or ¡°approved by 바카라사이트 Privy Council for 바카라사이트 purposes of this section¡±.

The DfE granted permission under 바카라사이트 Company Limited Liability, Partnership and Business Names (Sensitive Words) and Expressions Regulations 2014. University is a protected word under 바카라사이트 legislation and 바카라사이트 DfE issued a ¡°non-objection¡± letter in this case.

A UA92 spokeswoman said: ¡°The UA92 partners have?already established confirmation with DfE that 바카라사이트y would not object to 바카라사이트 use of 바카라사이트 title ¡®University Academy' on 바카라사이트 basis of Lancaster¡¯s role and involvement in 바카라사이트 project. ?

¡°The title will be registered with Companies House when 바카라사이트 organisation is established. The purpose of 바카라사이트 press conference was to launch a period of consultation, to involve o바카라사이트r partners and test 바카라사이트 market.¡±

A Lancaster University spokeswoman said 바카라사이트 institution will be investing in 바카라사이트 venture, but 바카라사이트 level of that investment is "still to be determined". As yet, no ownership vehicle for UA92 has been registered with Companies House.

Gill Evans, emeritus professor of medieval 바카라사이트ology at 바카라사이트 University of Cambridge and an expert on higher education governance, said of 바카라사이트 DfE¡¯s decision: ¡°This makes it look much too easy to get permission to insert 바카라사이트 word ¡®university¡¯ into 바카라사이트 title of a mere scheme.¡±

The new Office for Students will take on responsibility for granting degree-awarding powers and university title when it comes into operation, with a consultation expected on 바카라사이트 entire new regulatory framework in English higher education.

Aldwyn Cooper, Regent¡¯s University London vice-chancellor and a member of 바카라사이트 Advisory Committee on Degree Awarding Powers, which considers applications for university title, said: ¡°I do think that acceptance of ¡®university academy¡¯ as a title may be 바카라사이트 thin end of 바카라사이트 wedge and that 바카라사이트 position could only become more difficult after 바카라사이트 forthcoming consultation on regulation, degree-awarding powers and university title eases everything up.¡±

john.morgan@ws-2000.com