According to a statutory instrument published on legislation.gov.uk, the Office for Students has authorised Point Blank Limited to award bachelor‑level degrees in defined subjects for a fixed term. The Power to Award Degrees etc. (Point Blank Limited) Order 2026 was made on 4 February 2026, takes effect on 1 April 2026, and expires on 31 March 2030; it also permits the provider to authorise other institutions to grant such awards on its behalf. The OfS confirms that such authorisations are issued by statutory instrument and set the scope and duration of the powers conferred. (officeforstudents.org.uk)
The order limits Point Blank’s powers to taught awards up to and including bachelors’ level and confines them to subjects relating to performing arts; materials and technology; engineering; creative arts and design; and combined and general studies. The OfS regulatory framework allows degree‑awarding powers to be restricted by level and discipline on a subject‑specific basis. (officeforstudents.org.uk)
The legal basis sits in the Higher Education and Research Act 2017. Under section 42, the OfS may authorise a registered provider to grant taught awards, including on a subject‑specific basis; orders may also include supplementary provisions. The framework further notes that an order can include the power to authorise other institutions to grant awards on the provider’s behalf, reflecting section 43. (officeforstudents.org.uk)
The instrument identifies the provider as Point Blank Limited (company number 02963163). Public registers list the organisation as UKPRN 10019178, trading as Point Blank Music School. (find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk)
For students and applicants, the main practical change is the awarding body named on offers and certificates for in‑scope programmes completed on or after 1 April 2026. OfS guidance expects providers to be clear with prospective and current students about the status of any time‑limited or probationary authorisation. (officeforstudents.org.uk)
Because the order includes validation rights, Point Blank may authorise other institutions to grant awards within the same scope on its behalf. The OfS framework stresses that the awarding provider remains responsible for academic standards and that any such powers, and restrictions on them, are set out in the order itself. (officeforstudents.org.uk)
The authorisation runs until the end of 31 March 2030. The OfS framework provides for review of time‑limited powers, with the possibility of varying an order to remove the time limit (granting indefinite powers) where a provider demonstrates secure operation over the review period. (officeforstudents.org.uk)
Institutional teams should align prospectuses, offer letters, student contracts, programme specifications and award documentation to reflect Point Blank’s role as awarding body for programmes within scope from April 2026. Internal regulations, assessment documentation and external examiner terms will also need to reflect the shift to in‑house awarding.
The move comes after the OfS resumed assessments for new registration, degree‑awarding powers and university title applications in August 2025 following a sector‑wide pause announced in December 2024. That context is relevant for planning across the 2026–2030 term. (officeforstudents.org.uk)