Degree awarding powers and university title

Apply for university college or university title

Due to the current unprecedented circumstances related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and the need to prioritise OfS resources, we are not currently accepting any new applications for university title or university college title. We will review the situation again in early 2021 and will update our website accordingly.

If you believe any exceptional circumstances apply in your case, please contact us at [email protected].

Some organisations have the right to use the title ‘university’ or ‘university college’ in their name, although they may not always do so. These terms are protected terms in law.

The Higher Education and Research Act 2017 gave the OfS the power to authorise the use of the word ‘university’ in, or by reference to, an English registered higher education provider’s name from 1 April 2019.

How to apply

Registered higher education providers applying from 1 April 2019 will be subject to the provisions outlined in the regulatory framework.

We have published guidance for registered providers in England who wish to use either ‘university college’ or ‘university’ title as part of their name, or by reference to their name.

Get the guidance and application information Submit your application online

Higher education providers who applied for university college or university title before 1 April 2019 are subject to a different process.

About the application process before 1 April 2019

For applications for university title or university college title that were submitted before 1 April 2019, the government’s guidance on university college and university title will continue to apply.

According to this guidance, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) administered the process for the government and advised the government about submitted applications.

On 1 April 2018, the OfS took over HEFCE’s role in this process.

The decision to grant university or university college title usually rests with the Privy Council.

See more about this assessment process

Contact us

If you have any queries relating to applying for university title or university college title please contact us: [email protected].

Last updated 16 December 2020 + show all updates

16 December 2020: Update to the alert message.
15 May 2020: Noticed added about the suspension of applications for university title.

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Degree awarding powers and university title

Apply for university college or university title

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