EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order revokes and replaces the Education (Recognised Bodies) Order (Northern Ireland) 2005. The Order lists all those bodies which appear to the Department for the Economy to be recognised within Article 3(2)(a) or (b) of the Education (Unrecognised Degrees) (Northern Ireland) Order 1988. Such bodies are either:-
(a) universities, colleges or other bodies authorised by Royal Charter or an Act of Parliament to grant degrees: or
(b) bodies which are for the time being permitted by any body falling within paragraph (a) to act on its behalf in the granting of degrees.
There are omitted from the Schedule to this Order a number of bodies that were listed in the previous Order but which have merged with other bodies. A number of new bodies have been included in the Schedule to this Order, as these bodies now appear to the Department for the Economy to fall within either (a) or (b) above and this includes bodies which may only award foundation degrees. The Schedule also takes account of name changes since the 2005 Order was made.
Article 3(1) of the 1988 Order makes it an offence to grant, offer to grant, or issue any invitation relating to certain unrecognised degrees and awards. That Article does not apply to any award made by a recognised body.