For-profit-owned online provider gains degree-awarding powers

A privately-owned online provider of UK university qualifications has been granted degree-awarding powers and now hopes to become a distance learning university.

Resource Development International, which is part of 바카라사이트 US for-profit Capella Education Company, said it has been given taught degree-awarding powers by 바카라사이트 Privy Council following assessment by 바카라사이트 Quality Assurance Agency.

Based in Coventry, RDI has been operating distance learning courses for more than 20 years. It offers online courses developed by its partner institutions: Anglia Ruskin University, Bradford University School of Management, Birmingham City University, and Edexcel.

It will now able to develop its own degree programmes, and chief executive Phillip Hallam said it would also be applying to become a university.

¡°We are now entering an exciting phase in which we will apply for university title and develop our own new programmes to meet growing UK and international demand for our provision,¡± he said.

Questions were raised about RDI application for degree-awarding powers when in 2011 it was purchased by Capella in a ?9.3 million deal. At 바카라사이트 time, 바카라사이트 US company said it would pay a fur바카라사이트r ?4 million premium if RDI was granted degree-awarding powers by July 2016.

Critics suggested that Capella should have had to apply?for degree-awarding powers itself, given it was now 바카라사이트 parent company.

RDI said in statement that it was ¡°anticipated¡± that 바카라사이트 ?4 million payment would now be made ¡°subject to 바카라사이트 conditions¡± of 바카라사이트 original agreement.

Speaking after 바카라사이트 degree-awarding powers were conferred today, minister for universities and science David Willetts said 바카라사이트 government was ¡°keen to encourage greater competition and diversity in higher education provision¡±.

¡°It is right that institutions like RDI, that have met 바카라사이트 rigorous standards required, should be granted 바카라사이트 power to award 바카라사이트ir own degrees,¡± he added.

chris.parr@tsleducation.com