Following up a mention in another document I found the following. (unfortunately I am not sure of the extent to which it is, or still is, in effect) Further and Higher Education Act 1992 "77.—(1) Where— (a) power is conferred by any enactment or instrument to change the name of any educational institution or any body corporate carrying on such an institution, and (b) the educational institution is within the higher education sector, then, if the power is exercisable with the consent of the Privy Council, it may (whether or not the institution would apart from this section be a university) be exercised with the consent of the Privy Council so as to include the word "university" in the name of the institution and, if it is carried on by a body corporate, in the name of the body. (2) The reference in subsection (1) above to a power to change the name of an institution or body includes any power (however expressed and whether or not subject to any conditions or restrictions) in the exercise of which the name of the institution or body may be changed; but the power as extended by that subsection has effect subject to any such conditions or restrictions. (3) In exercising any power exercisable by virtue of this section to consent to a change in any name the Privy Council shall have regard to the need to avoid names which are or may be confusing. (4) Any educational institution whose name includes the word "university" by virtue of the exercise of any power as extended by subsection (1) above is to be treated as a university for all purposes." So, with the consent of the Privy Council, a body can call itself a university without a Royal Charter.
Royal Charter People are asking for trouble if they do not check if the university has a Royal Charter. It just seems logical to look into it. Paul
A two stage process Usually, when an institution is granted the title 'university' degree awarding powers are given at the same time. However, in the UK there are many higher education institutions that have degree awarding powers but are not yet universities per se! AJJ
And the Privy Council is the institution that will grant the Royal Charter (with the monarch playing a ceremonial role).
Yes, the Privy Council may put the body forward for the grant of a Royal Charter (granted by the reigning Monarch) but there appears to be nothing to prevent it giving permisson for the use of the word 'university' without granting a charter. I can see this perhaps happening for a reputable foreign university that wished to establish an independent UK affiliate offering UK degrees?
