Training provider BPP is set to become the first private for-profit company with the power to award degrees, with an undergraduate law degree course likely to be launched in September 2006.

The move marks a dramatic bid to expand the range of courses on offer in anticipation of the result of the Law Society's training framework review, that could lead to the legal practice course becoming non-compulsory.


The training provider was praised for its 'ground breaking' application by assessors from the Quality Assurance Agency following a visit in the first stage of the application process. The agency will report to the Privy Council, which will decide on whether to grant BPP the power to award degrees by the end of the year.


The law school also intends to offer postgraduate 'masters' qualifications in legal practice, company law and finance.


Chairman Carl Lygo said: 'We are planning as if the proposals in the training framework review will go ahead. We plan to offer the law degree from September next year, starting small with up to 100 students.'