Wrexham University receives powers to award research degrees

^{From left to right: Jack Birch- Research Office Administrator, Diane McCarthy- Independent Governor, Professor Joe Yates- Vice Chancellor, Dr Simon Stewart- Dean of Faculty of Social and Life Sciences, Frances Thomason- Head of Research Services, Professor Mandy Robbins- Associate Dean for Research and Postgraduate Research Tutor.}

Wrexham University has been awarded Research Degree Awarding Powers (RDAP), which will allow the institution to grant research degrees such as doctorates for the first time since gaining university status in 2008.

This landmark achievement reflects years of sustained and demonstrable growth in the University’s research capability and culture and means it can now confer its own doctoral degrees such as PhDs and professional doctorates for the first time in its history. 

The awarding of RDAP reinforces the University’s vision for delivering impactful, applied research that benefits communities and industry partners both regionally and globally. 

Over the past decade, Wrexham University has developed internationally recognised research in areas such as health and social care, digital innovation, sustainability and the creative industries, while forging strong partnerships with businesses, public bodies and community organisations. 

Speaking about this recognition and what it means for the University, Professor Joe Yates, Vice-Chancellor, said: “Being granted Research Degree Awarding Powers marks a major milestone in the University’s evolution – and our ambition of being a world-leading, modern civic university that delivers skills and impactful research which will drive economic growth and innovation for the wellbeing of current and future generations. 

“It recognises the quality, impact and integrity of our research environment, and our unwavering commitment to supporting and championing the next generation of researchers who will shape the future through their work and innovation.” 

Professor Richard Day, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research at Wrexham University, added: “This is an incredibly proud moment for our university and research community. It affirms that our processes for supervising and examining doctoral research meets the highest standards, as well as empowering us to design doctoral programmes that align with our strategic priorities and the needs of society. 

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank colleagues at the University of Chester for their fantastic support over the past decade, through providing research degree accreditation for our students, while we have been working towards gaining our own Research Degree Awarding Powers.” 

It comes after more than three years of rigorous assessment by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) which started on September 1, 2022, the day Wrexham became a city. 

Wrexham University’s first cohort of research students to receive degrees awarded under its own powers will start in 2026, symbolising a new era in the institution’s academic independence and contribution to the UK’s knowledge economy.