Academy of Live Technology granted New Degree Awarding Powers
The Academy of Live Technology (ALT) has been granted New Degree Awarding Powers (NDAPs) by the Office for Students (OfS), marking one of the most significant milestones in our evolution as a specialist higher education institution for the live events and entertainment industry.
From 1 July 2026, ALT’s UK provision will be able to award degrees in its own name, becoming the only higher education provider with degree awarding powers based in the Wakefield district.
The award places ALT among a small number of independent providers in England with the authority to award degrees, recognising the quality of our provision, institutional strength and long-standing commitment to industry‑embedded education.
It also reflects the growing role of specialist institutions within a changing higher education landscape, while giving the institution greater autonomy to shape programmes around the rapidly evolving demands of live production, touring, broadcast, immersive technology and the wider creative entertainment sector.
A major step forward for specialist higher education
Head of Institution, Rachel Nicholson, said the award represents a transformative moment for ALT.
“This is a hugely significant moment for ALT, and for the model of education we’ve built over the last 15 years. Our focus has always been on delivering industry-embedded education - not simulating industry but placing students within it. Students learn alongside the professionals, productions and technologies shaping the sector in real time. Degree awarding powers for our UK provision give us the flexibility to evolve programmes more quickly in response to emerging technologies, changing production practices and the future skills needs of the global live events and entertainment industry.”
The OfS review examined ALT’s academic governance, teaching quality, student support and graduate outcomes. Degree awarding powers are granted only to institutions able to demonstrate robust academic standards, long‑term sustainability and a clear commitment to student success.
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Preparing the next generation of creative and technical professionals
ALT has trained more than 1,000 graduates, many of whom now work across touring, broadcast, theatre, festivals, immersive media and production technology in the UK and internationally. Our expansion into the United States in 2023 – through the launch of ALT at Rock Lititz – reflects the global demand for industry‑ready creative and technical talent.
While the new degree awarding powers apply specifically to ALT’s UK provision, the development strengthens the institution’s long-term international ambitions and future opportunities for global collaboration and accreditation.
The award will allow ALT to respond more quickly to developments in areas including immersive technologies, live visuals, automation, technical design and virtual production, helping maintain close alignment between education and professional practice in a fast-moving global industry.
Adam 'Bullet' Bettley, VP Project Delivery at TAIT, highlighted the value of ALT’s approach.
“ALT graduates consistently demonstrate a strong understanding of real‑world production environments. Through training alongside industry and engaging with professional practice across leading organisations, they develop a level of readiness that is increasingly important to employers.”
Supporting regional growth and widening opportunity
The announcement is also significant for West Yorkshire – a region historically identified as a higher education “cold spot”, where participation and access to specialist provision have traditionally lagged behind national averages. ALT’s growth reflects wider efforts across the sector to expand opportunity and align higher education more closely with regional skills and workforce demand.
Alex Proudfoot, Chief Executive of Independent Higher Education, said:
“Specialist independent providers like ALT are changing the face of higher education, pioneering new approaches that align closely with industry. These degree awarding powers recognise both the academic quality of ALT’s programmes and their commitment to delivering high‑quality, employment‑focused education.”
A milestone in a long‑term vision
ALT’s founder, Adrian Brooks, reflected on the institutional journey thus far, commenting:
“ALT was established here in Wakefield with a clear ambition – to connect education directly to industry and create opportunities for young people to train within real production environments, all the way through to degree level. From the outset, I also hoped that one day this journey could help bring a specialist university to Wakefield, and the news that we have been awarded New Degree Awarding Powers brings that ambition significantly closer. This recognition reflects how far ALT has come and the strength of the creative and technical ecosystem we’ve built here in West Yorkshire. We’re incredibly proud of the team, our students and the industry partners who have supported ALT’s journey.”
Looking ahead
As the creative industries continue to evolve, the need for highly skilled, industry‑ready graduates has never been greater. New Degree Awarding Powers strengthen ALT’s ability to meet that need and to continue shaping the future workforce.
Last month, Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, described Production Park as a “magnetic creative cluster that attracts world-class talent and major productions”.
Responding to the new degree award announcement, she said:
“This is fantastic news for West Yorkshire, where we’re building a region of learning and creativity to equip people with the skills they need to thrive. The Academy of Live Technology is a real asset, providing opportunities for young people to get into exciting, well-paid jobs in our region’s booming creative sector.”
