Bath’s Norland College, the specialist provider of early years training and education, has announced that it’s been granted taught degree awarding powers by the Privy Council.
The announcement means that Norland College has become the smallest undergraduate degree provider in the UK.
The granting of the awarding power is a major step towards the college’s ambition to become the first specialist early years university in the world.
From September 2019, students will be able to study for a Norland College degree alongside the prestigious Norland College Diploma.
Founded in London in 1892 by Emily Ward, Norland College has been at the forefront of childcare training ever since, giving students the opportunity to become amongst the world’s most sought-after childcare professionals.
Dr Janet Rose, Principal of Norland College, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have been granted taught degree awarding powers. This represents a significant milestone in the College’s 127-year history and demonstrates how Norland remains at the forefront of raising the status and value of the childcare profession.
“The College now matches its unparalleled reputation in the field of early years with the privilege and responsibilities of taught degree awarding powers.”
Mandy Donaldson, Vice Principal, Head of Quality and Standards and Registrar of Norland College, said: “This achievement is testament to the outstanding quality of the academic provision at Norland College.
“It demonstrates that the Office for Students has full confidence in our ability to maintain academic standards and enhance the quality of student learning experiences.”
The awarding of taught degree powers comes less than 12 months after Norland College achieved a Gold rating, the highest standard possible, in the Government-based Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) in June 2018.
TEF is assessed on measures including the learning environment, student experience, and opportunities for employment on graduation, and is largely based on feedback from students.
Martin Clarke, Chair of the Norland College Board of Directors, said: “This announcement marks a new and exciting era for Norland College. The process to secure taught degree awarding powers has involved considerable work from all members of staff and the whole college has been scrutinised rigorously against national criteria. I would like to take this opportunity to credit them for this major achievement.”
Norland offers a three-year full-time BA (Hons) degree in Early Years Development and Learning, which up until now has been validated by the University of Gloucestershire.
The degree is integrated with the prestigious Norland Diploma, which runs alongside the degree and for one year afterwards, enabling students to put theory into practice.
Norland graduates continue to be much in demand and the college is able to provide newly qualified nannies with 100% employment opportunities through its own in-house employment agency.