Rose Bruford College has been granted Taught Degree Awarding Powers (TDAP), marking a significant milestone in its history and paving the way for the College to award its own undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
Her Majesty’s Privy Council, following a recommendation from the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), has formally confirmed that Rose Bruford College has been granted Taught Degree Awarding Powers. From September 2017, students will be able to study for taught degrees awarded directly by the College, marking an important step towards greater academic independence.
The announcement represents a major achievement for the specialist performing arts institution, which has spent more than six decades developing its reputation for professional training, academic excellence and close industry engagement.
Professor Michael Earley, Principal and Chief Executive of Rose Bruford College, said:
“This is a significant milestone in the College’s sixty-six year history and means we can develop our own degrees which respond quickly to the needs of our students, existing partners and other organisations within the Performing Arts and Creative Industries sectors.
The awarding of TDAP is a college-wide achievement, and I would like to thank our staff, students, industry partners and governors who all played a significant role throughout the process.”
New degrees and academic independence
The College’s students will be able to graduate with Rose Bruford College degrees from September 2018. As part of the transition, students will also have the opportunity to contribute to the design of new academic dress, including the gowns and hoods to be worn at future graduation ceremonies.
Stacey Sandford, Students’ Union President, said:
“The prospect of being awarded a Rose Bruford College degree is fantastic news for current and future students of the College. It’s a privilege that students will be involved in designing and selecting the new academic dress, creating a legacy for generations of graduates.”
Work was already underway to develop an enhanced curriculum, including a range of new undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Several new taught postgraduate and partnership degrees were expected to be considered for validation, with the intention of introducing them from September 2017.
The College would also continue its partnership with the University of East London in the delivery of research degrees.
Recognition of the College’s academic and industry reputation
Sir Richard Eyre, Honorary President of Rose Bruford College, welcomed the announcement and highlighted the significance of the new powers for the College’s continued development:
“Rose Bruford College already has a global reputation for delivering excellent and diverse professional vocational training in all aspects of theatre and performance. The awarding of TDAP will not only augment this reputation, but also ensure the continued development and growth of a coherent, industry-informed curriculum.”
Monisha Shah, Chair of Governors, said:
“On behalf of the Board of Governors, I would like to thank and congratulate the staff and students of Rose Bruford College for their passion and commitment.
The award of TDAP acknowledges the College’s academic integrity as a mature higher education institution with rigorous standards and academic governance. It also reflects the quality and relevance of its qualifications and marks the next step in the evolution of Rose Bruford College into a fully independent higher education provider.
Gaining TDAP demonstrates that the College maintains the highest standards in such areas as strong governance, academic standards, scholarship and teaching as well as the environment supporting the delivery of higher education provision.
I would also like to thank The University of Manchester, which has awarded our taught undergraduate and postgraduate degrees for over twenty years.”
Gordon McKenzie, Chief Executive of GuildHE, also congratulated the College:
“I congratulate Rose Bruford College on receiving taught degree awarding powers. This fantastic achievement is testament to their high standards and the quality of teaching. Specialist institutions like Rose Bruford College offer a great choice for students and are an important part of what makes UK higher education excellent.”
The granting of Taught Degree Awarding Powers marked a defining moment in Rose Bruford College’s development, recognising its academic standards, institutional independence and contribution to higher education in the performing arts.
(Updated October 2026)