The Academy of Live Technology (ALT) has secured New Degree Awarding Powers (NDAPs) from the Office for Students (OfS), a landmark achievement that reflects its growth and reputation as a specialist institution for the live events and entertainment industry.
From 1 July 2026, ALT will be able to award degrees in its own name across its UK provision, becoming the only higher education provider in the Wakefield district with degree awarding powers. This is a significant development for a region historically identified as a higher education “cold spot”, where participation and access to specialist provision have historically been below national averages.
This achievement places ALT among a select group of independent providers in England with the authority to award degrees, recognising the quality of its academic provision, the strength of the institution, and its long-standing commitment to industry-embedded education.
It also reflects the increasing importance of specialist institutions within a changing higher education landscape, giving ALT greater autonomy to shape programmes in response to the rapidly evolving demands of live production, touring, broadcast, immersive technology, and the wider creative entertainment sector. In doing so, it supports wider efforts to expand opportunity and align higher education more closely with regional skills and workforce demand.
Rachel Nicholson, Head of Institution at ALT, said:
“This is a hugely significant moment for ALT, and for the model of education we’ve built over the last 15 years. Our focus has always been on delivering industry-embedded education - not simulating industry but placing students within it. Students learn alongside the professionals, productions and technologies shaping the sector in real time. Degree awarding powers for our UK provision give us the flexibility to evolve programmes more quickly in response to emerging technologies, changing production practices and the future skills needs of the global live events and entertainment industry.”
Alex Proudfoot, Chief Executive of Independent Higher Education, said:
“Specialist independent providers like ALT are changing the face of higher education, pioneering new approaches that align closely with industry. These degree awarding powers recognise both the academic quality of ALT’s programmes and their commitment to delivering high‑quality, employment‑focused education.”
