New degree powers for the Academy of Live Technology
A 'significant moment' for facility
The Academy of Live Technology (ALT) – which is within Production Park on Langthwaite Business Park – has been granted new powers to allow it to award degrees.
From July 1, 2026, ALT’s UK provision will be able to award degrees in its own name. It becomes the only higher education provider with degree awarding powers that is based in the Wakefield district.
The move comes after the ALT was granted New Degree Awarding Powers (NDAPs) by the Office for Students. Awarding the ALT with these powers makes it one of only a handful of independent providers with the authority to award degrees in England.
Head of Institution, Rachel Nicholson, says that being giving the powers represents a transformative moment for ALT.
She said: “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.”
ALT has trained more than 1,000 graduates at its Langthwaite site, many of whom now work across touring, broadcast, theatre, festivals, immersive media and production technology in the UK and internationally.
