The Power to Award Degrees etc. (ICMP Management Limited) (Amendment) Order 2025

Published: Mon 14th Apr 25

The Power to Award Degrees etc. (ICMP Management Limited) (Amendment) Order 2025 extends ICMP Management Limited's authority to grant taught awards until November 29, 2028.

This amendment builds upon the 2021 order, altering its Article 2.

The Office for Students made the decision after consulting relevant bodies and following established legal procedures.

An impact assessment was deemed unnecessary due to lack of impact on businesses, civil society, or the public sector.

Arguments For

  • Extending Educational Opportunities: The extension allows ICMP Management Limited to continue providing degree-awarding programs, potentially benefiting students who wish to pursue education at that institution.

  • Maintaining Institutional Stability: The amendment provides continuity and stability for the institution, allowing it to plan long-term and maintain its existing programs.

  • Positive Assessment of Quality: The extension likely implies a positive assessment of ICMP Management Limited's quality of education by the Office for Students, as outlined in the document's preamble. The Office for Students sought and considered advice regarding standards applied.

  • Legal Basis and Due Process: The amendment is made under the powers conferred by the Higher Education and Research Act 2017, following established procedures for notification and consultation.

Arguments Against

  • Potential for unintended consequences: Extending the authorization without a comprehensive review might overlook potential downsides regarding the quality of education or the institution's capacity.

  • Lack of Transparency on factors justifying the amendment: The document does not explicitly detail the reasons for extending the authorization beyond the original timeframe. This limits outside assessment of the rationale.

  • Concentrated access to degrees: Extending the authorization for a specific institution may limit competition and access to alternative choices for prospective students.

  • Resource Allocation Concerns: Extending authorizations requires administrative and public resources. The absence of an impact assessment despite the financial implications for the institution and students does not address possible resource management questions.

  1. Citation and commencement This Order may be cited as the Power to Award Degrees etc. (ICMP Management Limited) (Amendment) Order 2025 and comes into force on 4th May 2025.
  1. Variation of Power to Award Degrees etc. (ICMP Management Limited) Order 2021 (1) The Power to Award Degrees etc. (ICMP Management Limited) Order 2021 is varied in accordance with paragraph (2). (2) For article 2, substitute— “2. ICMP Management Limited (registered company number 04780788) shall be competent to grant taught awards of the kind mentioned in section 42(2)(a) of the said Act for a fixed term beginning on 1st September 2022 and expiring at the end of the day on 29th November 2028.”

EXPLANATORY NOTE (This note is not part of the Order) This Order varies the Power to Award Degrees etc. (ICMP Management Limited) Order 2021 to extend ICMP Management Limited’s authorisation to award degrees. The expiry of ICMP Management Limited’s authorisation is changed from 30th November 2025 to the end of the day on 29th November 2028. An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it has no impact on businesses and civil society organisations. The instrument has no impact on the public sector.