Norland granted Taught Degree Awarding Powers

This announcement is a major step towards Norland’s ambition to become the first specialist early years university in the world. The granting of taught degree awarding powers means that, from September 2019, students will be able to study for a Norland-awarded degree alongside the prestigious Norland Diploma.

Dr Janet Rose, Principal of Norland, 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, said: “This achievement is testament to the outstanding quality of the academic provision at Norland. 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 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 represents a significant achievement and 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 Norland is able to provide newly qualified nannies with 100% employment opportunities through its own in-house employment agency.