The Privy Council has approved the grant of degree awarding powers to BPP College

BPP College of Professional Studies (“BPP College”) today announced that the Privy Council has approved the grant of degree awarding powers to BPP College (which comprises BPP Law School and BPP Business School).

BPP College is owned by BPP Holdings plc, a publicly quoted company on the London Stock Exchange. The grant of degree awarding powers makes BPP College the first private sector company to be a degree awarding entity in the United Kingdom.

The decision by the Privy Council follows a very full and careful audit and review by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (“QAA”) of BPP College’s organisation, governance and management as well as close scrutiny of BPP College’s quality assurance mechanisms, academic standards and its support systems for students and staff.

The QAA review was led by senior academics from the university sector and took place over an 18-month period during which BPP College provided a substantial evidence base and was assessed against rigorous guidelines.

Carl Lygo, Chairman and Principal of BPP College said: “I am delighted with the outcome of the QAA review and the Privy Council’s decision.

“The decision recognises the vital contribution the private sector can make to education and training as well as the confidence the public can have in BPP College’s standards, quality assurance mechanisms and the integrity of its awards.

“BPP College has strong links with the professions, and law firms in particular, as well as a powerful regional and national presence. Both its Law and Business Schools are good examples of employer-led education and training.”

Chief Executive of BPP College and Dean of BPP Law School Peter Crisp said: “This is a monumental decision by the Privy Council which will have a major impact on higher education in this country and demonstrates the great trust which the QAA and the Privy Council have in BPP College.

“This is a ground-breaking decision because BPP College is the first private sector company to be granted degree awarding powers. BPP College can be proud of its role in shaping legal and professional education and training in this country.

“The achievement has been a team effort and is a tribute to the professionalism and dedication of the College’s staff. BPP College is a mature higher education institution with secure standards of learning and teaching supported by highly-skilled staff.”

Announcing BPP College’s plans, Peter Crisp commented: “In our first year of degree awarding powers, BPP College’s Law School will offer the Legal Practice Course and Bar Vocational Course as masters degrees and award the Graduate Diploma in Law as an honours degree in law. Looking further ahead, the Law School will be offering masters degrees in commercial law and other areas of corporate and commercial practice from September 2008.”

Graham Pitcher, Dean of the College’s Business School, commented: “BPP College’s Business School will be expanding its range of business programmes to include masters degrees in accounting, finance, insolvency, taxation, actuarial science, marketing, management and human resources.

“Our aim is to offer high quality programmes in flexible modes that blend academic and practitioner knowledge and skills to provide students with a choice of qualifications that will meet the needs of their current and future employers.”

The granting of the degree awarding powers was made by an Order of the Privy Council which may be cited as the Power to Award Degrees etc (BPP College of Professional Studies) Order of Council 2007. The Order is made under section 76 Further & Higher Education Act 1992.