Cornwall College Group Granted Full Degree Awarding Powers by OfS

Cornwall College Group (CCG) has been granted full bachelor’s degree awarding powers by the Office for Students (OfS) in what has been described as a major step for higher education in Cornwall and Devon.

From 16th May 2026, the College will be able to design and deliver its own degrees, building on its current foundation degree awarding powers. The new status allows CCG to create programmes that are employer-led, industry-aligned and directly tailored to the needs of communities and businesses across the region.

The OfS report highlighted the College’s “sound academic governance and management structures”, strong student partnership and “particularly impressive” performance review process for staff. Assessors also commended the College’s “significant engagement with industry”, pointing to how experts shape teaching, learning and assessment while students benefit from fieldwork and placements that increase their employability.

An “exciting milestone” for Cornwall

Dr Jennie Jordan, Head of Higher Education at CCG, called the news “an exciting milestone for higher education in Cornwall.”

She said:
“Achieving full degree awarding powers marks a major step forward. It means we can create high-quality, career-focused degrees that directly respond to the skills needed now and in the future across Cornwall’s industries.

“This opens up incredible opportunities for people in Cornwall to access higher education locally, gain qualifications aligned with real career pathways and contribute to the growth and success of our region.”

A “landmark moment” for the College

Executive Principal Mark Wardle described the achievement as “a landmark moment for Cornwall College Group”.

Mark explained:
“The OfS has recognised the strength of our academic standards, our culture of continuous improvement and our long-standing partnerships with employers.

“These powers allow us to expand our higher education offer in sectors critical to Cornwall’s economy – from engineering and marine to digital and green skills – and to play a greater role in driving productivity and prosperity across the region.”

What the OfS report found

The OfS praised CCG’s robust quality systems, small supportive class sizes and its commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. The report stated that the College “designs and delivers courses and qualifications that provide a high-quality academic experience to all students” and that its regulatory frameworks are “secure, transparent and consistently applied.”

About Cornwall College Group

Cornwall College Group is the largest education and training provider in the South West, with campuses across Cornwall and Devon. It delivers further education, apprenticeships and higher education through Cornwall College University Centre at Newquay, the Eden Project, Camborne, Duchy College and Falmouth Marine School.

Working closely with employers and partners, the Group provides education and training that drives skills, supports communities and contributes to regional economic growth.

📷Cornwall College Group (CCG) has been granted full bachelor’s degree awarding powers by the Office for Students (OfS)