London School of Innovation granted degree awarding powers for AI-led university model
New UK provider receives regulatory approval to deliver degrees using an AI-first teaching approach, with rollout set to begin in 2026.
Somayeh Aghnia, co-founder of the London School of Innovation, which has been granted degree awarding powers for its AI-led higher education model
The London School of Innovation has been granted Degree Awarding Powers by the Office for Students, allowing it to deliver its own postgraduate qualifications using an AI-led teaching model.
The decision, confirmed in March 2026 following a multi-year regulatory process, positions the institution as a new entrant in UK higher education with a model built around AI tutors delivering core learning content, supported by human-led discussion and collaboration. The development signals ongoing changes in how universities are structuring teaching, assessment, and delivery in response to AI.
AI-led delivery model replaces traditional lectures
The London School of Innovation delivers courses without lectures, using a virtual AI tutor assigned to each student. The system adapts content based on individual background, pace, and learning preferences, and provides continuous formative assessment through quizzes, simulations, and feedback.
The institution states that “Virtual AI tutors teach the knowledge, rather than traditional lectures.”
Students engage with course material through an online platform, with content delivered in multiple formats including video, text, audio, and interactive dialogue. Human professors focus on discussion, collaborative problem-solving, and one-to-one support rather than delivering core teaching.
Regulatory approval follows multi-year assessment
The Office for Students assessed the institution over several years, including review by an independent committee of higher education experts. The process examined governance, academic standards, delivery, and student outcomes.
The London School of Innovation confirms that the regulator judged its model and plans to be credible before granting Degree Awarding Powers. This status enables the institution to design and award its own degrees without validation from an existing university.
Founded by tech entrepreneurs behind AI and edtech ventures
The London School of Innovation was founded by Somayeh Aghnia and Paymon Khamooshi, entrepreneurs with more than two decades of experience in software engineering, AI, and education technology.
The pair previously co-founded Geeks Ltd, a London-based software company focused on AI-driven digital transformation, where they developed enterprise systems and automation tools for organizations across sectors. They also launched WordUp, an AI-powered language learning platform designed to deliver personalized learning at scale.
Their move into higher education builds on earlier work at the intersection of AI and learning. The founders began work on the concept in 2019, positioning it as a long-term alternative to traditional delivery models rather than a pilot or add-on.
Focus on postgraduate and professional education
The institution will initially focus on postgraduate programs, including MSc degrees in digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and AI for business transformation, alongside executive and professional courses.
The first cohort of degree students is scheduled to begin in June 2026, with undergraduate programs planned for a later stage.
The London School of Innovation states its aim is to develop leaders who can apply AI across business and organizational contexts, with a focus on real-world application rather than academic theory.
