Degree-awarding powers confirmed for Dyson Institute

The in-house training centre set up by inventor Sir James Dyson has secured full taught degree-awarding powers, as it prepares to drop the apprenticeship model that it has used since its foundation seven years ago.

The Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology, based in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, is the first provider to pass through the “new degree-awarding powers” (NDAPs) process operated by the English sector regulator, the Office for Students.

At its foundation, Dyson’s degrees were taught jointly with the University of Warwick, but it got provisional degree-awarding status in its own right in 2020. That power has now been made permanent and the institution hopes in due course to achieve full university status.

The latest development will allow Dyson to proceed with its plans to award its students – Dyson employees who pay no tuition fees and get a starting salary of £22,000 at undergraduate level – a four-year master’s degree in engineering. It will also launch an MSc conversion course and deliver credit-bearing modules for Dyson engineers.

The institute announced last November that it would move away from its degree apprenticeship model, despite the Westminster government’s stated ambition to boost these types of qualification. At the time it referenced concerns that there was currently no way of offering an integrated master’s-level degree through a degree apprenticeship.

Dyson’s undergraduates study in the classroom for two days a week, and work alongside the technology company’s engineers on projects for three days a week.

In separate developments, Ofsted inspectors have agreed that the institute’s apprenticeship provision is “outstanding”, while its bachelor’s engineering degree apprenticeship has also been accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

“We’re thrilled to have reached these important milestones, which are fantastic recognition that the institute is providing a distinctive, high-quality learning environment for future engineering leaders,” said Beverley Gibbs, director of the institute.

“These achievements are testament to our dedicated and talented team, to a thriving and engaged student community, and to a vast network of committed executives, line managers, technical mentors and wide-ranging support teams at Dyson.

“We’re pleased to see that both Ofsted and the OfS recognise the long lasting and impactful value that we’re providing for Dyson, and we’re excited to continue this with the evolution and delivery of new programmes that will extend our impact and reach.”

chris.havergal@timeshighereducation.com