BPP first private company to be awarded university title

BPP has been awarded full university title after passing its Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) review, the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills confirmed today.

The former University College became BPP University on 6 August and is the first private body to be awarded a university title in the UK.

The move follows the College of Law's transformation in November last year into the University of Law, after a £200m sale to Montagu Private Equity.

Dean and CEO of BPP law school Peter Crisp congratulated BIS on its "thorough review" and said: "We give students what they want and need: practice-facing programmes which will equip them for the world of work.

"It's a culture of professionals teaching professionals - all our staff have practical professional real-world experience which hugely enriches the classroom experience."

Eversheds partner and training principle Ian Gascoigne said the move underlines BPP's commitment to professional education. Eversheds and BPP have provided a joint LPC since 2012.

South-west firm Osborne Clarke announced it was moving its training of future solicitors from the University of Law to BPP from autumn this year.

The firm's human resources director, David Shufflebottom, said: "We welcome the broadening of choice in higher education of which BPP is at the forefront. An independent university dedicated to the professions will raise the standard of research and understanding of vital sector of our economy and one in which we need to invest to maintain a pre-eminent worldwide reputation."

BPP's bid for university status was in the balance last month after American parent company Apollo was warned that its flagship school, the University of Texas, was likely to be breaching governance rules.

Universities and science minister David Willetts said the announcement was an "important step" towards increasing diversity of the higher education sector.

In May BPP made the controversial move of offering free courses to LPC graduates who failed to find employment after six months.

QAA's role is to advise BIS on the applicant organisation's academic governance.