David Game Higher Education (DGHE)

What David Game Higher Education (DGHE) does

David Game Higher Education (DGHE) is a private independent higher education provider operating as a division of David Game College Ltd, a private limited company established in 1974 and headquartered at 32-35 Jewry Street in the City of London. DGHE delivers OfS-regulated higher education across two campuses — a 58,000 sq ft Grade II listed London City building and a Croydon campus — organised into three academic schools: Business & Management, Social Sciences & Health, and Digital & Creative Technologies. The institution offers Pearson-accredited Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) in Business, Public Services, and Digital Technologies (with Cyber Security and AI specialisations), BA/BSc top-up degrees validated by the University of Gloucestershire and Buckinghamshire New University, Foundation Year and Certificate of Higher Education programmes, and from April 2026 a new MSc in Global Crime and Security under the UCDG postgraduate sub-brand. Course delivery is supported by a Moodle-based Virtual Learning Environment, the Ellucian Quercus student information system, Microsoft Office 365, and the Pearson HN Global platform.

DGHE's revenue model is tuition-driven and almost entirely consumer-direct: each student is an individual purchaser paying per-programme fees (UK MSc £9,250/year, International MSc £14,900/year, with HND fees typically lower), with domestic students funded through Student Loans Company loans. The customer base is distributed across domestic UK students (primary segment), international students (recruited via UKVI sponsorship and pre-sessional English provision), underrepresented learners (targeted via the OfS Access and Participation Plan), and career changers studying flexi-mode while working. Ancillary revenue streams include pre-sessional English courses, specialist tuition referrals, and assessment services for students with learning differences. The institution markets through its website, LinkedIn, email newsletters, webinars, careers fairs, and a UCDG referral programme.

Operationally, DGHE is a small, privately-held organisation with a stated staff team of approximately 35-40 academic and administrative personnel. Strategic posture is moderate-growth: the institution has launched new product lines (UCDG postgraduate brand, HND Cyber Security and AI), expanded geographically to Croydon, achieved 97% positive NSS ratings in 2025 (14 points above sector average), and built faculty research credentials in AI and criminology, while remaining constrained by UK tuition fee caps and dependence on SLC funding flows.

Name

David Game Higher Education (DGHE)

Legal name

David Game College Ltd

Website

https://dghe.ac.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

David Game Higher Education (DGHE) is a private, OfS-regulated UK higher education provider delivering Pearson-accredited HNDs, university-validated bachelor's top-ups, and postgraduate degrees (MSc) across Business, Social Sciences, and Digital Technologies at London City and Croydon campuses, serving domestic and international students through tuition-based programmes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education Services

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

University-Affiliated Pathway & Foundation Programs (EDAIAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Accessibility, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) & Inclusive Content Services (EDAGAKAJ), Conditional Offer / Package Programs (Language + Pathway + Progression) (EDAIAJAJ)

Keywords

• Higher education degrees
• Vocational qualifications
• Postgraduate criminology
• Cyber security education
• Business management programs

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees - Undergraduate (HND & Degrees): Revenue from HND programmes (Pearson-accredited) and BA/BSc top-up degrees validated by University of Gloucestershire and Buckingham New University. Programmes offered in Business, Public Services, Health and Social Care, and Digital Technologies. Multiple study modes (Daytime, Flexi) available.
2. Tuition Fees - Postgraduate (MSc): Revenue from MSc Global Crime and Security programme under UCDG brand. International students: £14,900; UK Home students: £9,250. Additional scholarship of £1,500 available for first intake (April 2026).
3. Student Loans Company Funding: UK students access government student loans through SLC for tuition fee coverage. Postgraduate loans available up to £12,858. Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) also accessed by eligible students.
4. Additional Services Revenue: Revenue from additional services including pre-sessional English courses, specialist tuition referrals, and assessment services for students with learning differences.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

DGHE is an independent, OfS-registered higher education institution delivering Pearson-accredited Higher National Diplomas, BA/BSc top-up degrees, foundation years, and postgraduate master's programmes across three academic schools: Business & Management, Social Sciences & Health, and Digital & Creative Technologies (with Cyber Security and Artificial Intelligence specialisations). Programmes are offered at London City and Croydon campuses in both daytime and flexi (part-time/evening) study modes, with degrees validated by the University of Gloucestershire and Buckinghamshire New University, and a new postgraduate brand (UCDG) for master's-level provision.

Product overview

David Game Higher Education (DGHE) is an independent higher education provider offering a portfolio of vocational and academic qualifications across three schools: Business & Management, Social Sciences & Health, and Digital & Creative Technologies. The institution provides HND programs (Pearson-accredited), bachelor's degree top-ups, foundation years, and postgraduate degrees through its UCDG brand. Programs are delivered at London City and Croydon campuses with flexible Daytime and Flexi study modes. DGHE operates under the David Game College Group, established in 1974, and partners with universities including University of Gloucestershire and Buckingham New University for degree validation. The institution supplements its academic offerings with comprehensive student support services including career services, disability support, mental health resources (Togetherall), library services, and virtual learning environments (Moodle and Quercus).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Higher National Diploma (HND) Programmes

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% overall positive rating in 2025 NSS, 14% above UK HE sector average
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration13 records

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PearsoncoreTechnology or IntegrationPearson is the awarding body for HND qualifications at DGHE. Students access Pearson HN Global platform for course materials and programme delivery.
• University of GloucestershirecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerValidating university for DGHE degree programmes including BSc Criminology and Criminal Justice, BA Business Management top-ups, and MSc Global Crime and Security. Students receive University of Gloucestershire degrees.
• Buckinghamshire New UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerValidating university partner for certain DGHE programmes. Academic staff can access BNU in-house training programmes.
• Office for Students (OfS)coreOthersRegulatory body for English higher education. DGHE is an OfS registered provider, regulated for quality and student protection.
• Student Loans CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK government body enabling students to access tuition fee loans and maintenance funding for higher education programmes.
• English UKminorOthersMembership organization for English language teaching providers, supporting international student recruitment and quality standards.
• Matrix StandardminorOthersStandard for careers and employability services. DGHE careers service maintains Matrix accreditation.
• Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA)minorOthersIndependent body for student complaints. DGHE is a member, providing recourse for students with complaints.
• Independent Higher Education (IHE)minorOthersTrade association representing independent higher education providers in the UK.
• Metropolitan PolicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuest speakers at DGHE careers events. Prof. McCusker has provided advice to law enforcement on crime and security issues.
• City of London PolicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipates in DGHE careers fairs and industry events, providing insight into policing careers.
• Middlesex UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKezban Alpan completing PhD in Computer Science at Middlesex University. Research collaboration on AI and image processing.
• Near East UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration with Prof. Dr. Kamil Dimililer on AI breast cancer detection study. Kezban Alpan previously lectured there for 11+ years.
• Cyprus International UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration with Mr. Bardia Arman on AI breast cancer detection project.
• IEEEminorOthersWorld's largest professional body for advancing technology. Published DGHE research on AI breast cancer detection.
• SEER (Specialist Evidence, Evaluation and Research)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative enterprise building capacity among HE providers in Access and Participation Planning. DGHE/UCDG led workshop at SEER 2025 Symposium.
• Alan Turing InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSokipriala Jonah served as Data Science Facilitator, connecting DGHE with UK's national institute for data science and AI.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Study Group: Global education provider running pathway programmes, foundation years, and international study centres for UK universities. Comparable to DGHE because both operate university-affiliated pathway and foundation year offerings.
• INTO University Partnerships: Global pathway provider offering foundation years and international student preparation programmes in partnership with UK universities. Comparable to DGHE because both deliver foundation and pathway qualifications that articulate into full degrees.
• Kaplan International Pathways: UK and international pathway provider offering foundation, HND-equivalent, and pre-masters programmes linked to partner universities. Comparable to DGHE because both serve international students seeking UK higher education entry routes.
• Regent's University London: Private London university offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes with a strong international student base. Comparable to DGHE because both are private London HE providers focused on international student recruitment.
• Global University Systems: Owner of multiple private higher education brands including London School of Business and Finance, delivering UK-validated degrees. Comparable to DGHE because both operate as private higher education groups offering HNDs and degree programmes in London.
• Arden University: Private UK university delivering flexible undergraduate and postgraduate programmes to working adults and career changers. Comparable to DGHE because both target mature, working learners via distance and blended learning models.
• BPP University: Private UK university offering professionally accredited undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, with strong London presence. Comparable to DGHE because both are private HE providers focused on career-relevant qualifications in London.
• QA Higher Education: UK-based higher education pathway provider offering foundation, HND, and top-up degree programmes across multiple campuses. Comparable to DGHE because both serve non-traditional students through UK university-validated pathways.

Broad incumbents

• University of Gloucestershire: UK public university that validates DGHE's BA, BSc, and MSc programmes. Comparable as a broad incumbent because it is the validating university partner whose standards and brand underpin DGHE's degree offerings.
• Pearson: Global education and qualifications body that accredits DGHE's HND programmes and operates Pearson College London. Comparable as a broad incumbent because Pearson sets the curriculum and awarding standards DGHE delivers against.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/david-game-higher-education

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about David Game Higher Education (DGHE)