Under the new structure, the town’s Northern School of Art will operate as a dedicated Higher Education Corporation, focusing exclusively on undergraduate and postgraduate degree-level study at its Hartlepool campus. The Middlesbrough campus will become The Northern College of Art, continuing to deliver specialist Further Education courses for 16–19-year-olds and adult learners, alongside outreach provision including Saturday Clubs for younger students.
The change – which took effect from 1 August – marks a significant new phase in the development of one of the region’s longest-established creative education providers.
A spokesperson said: “The new arrangements form part of the institution’s long-term strategic ambition to achieve university title and reflect the continued growth and maturity of its Higher Education provision. Establishing separate institutions will enable both Further and Higher Education provision to develop within their respective sectors while maintaining the close relationship and progression opportunities that have long been a hallmark of specialist creative education in the region.”
They added: “The change follows a period of significant development for the school, including the achievement of Degree Awarding Powers in 2024, which enabled it to award its own degrees. While the two organisations will operate under distinct identities, they will continue to work closely together, supporting students from the earliest stages of their creative journey through to degree-level study and careers in the creative industries.”
Students starting in September will continue to study at the same campuses, with the same specialist facilities, expert staff and industry-focused courses.
Minister for Skills, Jacqui Smith said: “The Northern School of Art is a genuine success story for the Tees Valley and shows what world-class creative education looks like. Paving the way for a specialist arts university locally accessible in Hartlepool will open up new learning pathways which will help build the creative skills the regional and national economy needs.”
She added: “This is exactly the kind of locally-rooted, high-quality provision needed to boost opportunities for local people and power growth across the country.”
Dr Martin Raby OBE, Principal & Chief Executive of The Northern School of Art, said: “The launch of The Northern College of Art marks an important new chapter in the institution’s long history of specialist creative education. Establishing separate Further and Higher Education institutions will provide clearer identities for students, parents and partners, while enabling both areas of provision to continue to grow and thrive within their respective sectors.
“The new structure also supports our long-term ambition to achieve university title, while maintaining the close relationship and progression opportunities that have always been central to our specialist creative offer.”
