BPP University granted indefinite taught degree awarding powers – while HESA’s Graduate Outcomes survey shows BPP outperforming all Russell Group Unis –
BPP University has been granted indefinite taught degree awarding powers (TDAP) under the Office for Students (OfS) new regulatory framework.
The award of indefinite TDAP, which will come into force on 1st September 2020 acknowledges the University’s academic integrity as a mature higher education institution with rigorous standards and academic governance.
The decision is the “culmination of a long journey with a clear goal and a lot of hard work involved, that we set out to achieve in 2000” says Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Stewart.
Until now, the university – which offers a range of qualifications including master’s degrees in law, business, technology, nursing and healthcare – had the authority to award degrees but this was time limited.
In September 2007, BPP University made academic history by becoming the first publicly owned company in the UK to obtain time-limited taught degree awarding powers. It then went on to obtain University Status in 2013, authorised by the Privy Council.
One part of the assessment process includes a review by the QAA. In its summary assessment report of indefinite TDAP, the QAA said that BPP “clearly articulates and implements a strategic approach to learning and teaching” and noted it for “its commitment to professional practice and the application of knowledge to real-life situations [which is]….appreciated by external stakeholders and students.”
Professor Stewart commented that the recognition of the QAA was a “significant milestone for BPP and a validation of all the hard work put in by current and previous colleagues and our close partnership with the Students’ Association over the years. The experience and expertise that our staff bring to programme design, delivery and review has been fully acknowledged with this decision.”
BPP University has around 15,000 students, studying across 13 centres, in eight locations across England and online around the world. 70% are full-time and 84% are on postgraduate programmes.
This acquisition of indefinite TDAP strengthens the standing, reputation and achievement associated with BPP University alumni.
Separately, HESA’s Graduate Outcomes Survey results*, has revealed that postgraduate students who study with BPP and go into employment are more likely to secure highly skilled employment roles compared to students from other universities.
The study, taken 15 months after students in 2018 graduated, showed that of BPP alumni in employment, 98% were in highly skilled roles, typically being professional and managerial positions.
University Percentage of post-grad students Rank working in highly skilled roles
1. BPP 98.1%
2. Cambridge 97.5%
3. Imperial College 96.8%
4. Warwick 96.6%
5. Oxford 95.7%
6. Cardiff 95.5%
7. UCL 94.2%
8. Birmingham 93.9%
9. Southampton 93.8%
10. Edinburgh 93.1%
Looking specifically at BPP University Law School, an astounding 100% of LPC graduates, 95% of BPTC (now the BTC) graduates and 91% of GDL (now the PGDL) graduates who were in employment were in highly skilled occupations 15 months after graduating.
Commenting on the findings, Professor Stewart said that, “we have always been proud of the fact that our alumni go on to work at major companies, global law firms, and top ranked chambers. The future employment possibilities of students is paramount to us and the Graduate Outcomes results is a clear demonstration that the practical skills we teach our postgraduates are highly valued and help to build and shape many thousands of careers”.