UK's first 'super-university' launched as London institution merges

"Two institutions have announced they will combine to create the UK's first super-university, and say their merger will be a blueprint for other institutions to follow. The universities of Kent and Greenwich are planning to merge next year with the proposed name the London and South East University Group. In the plans, both universities would have the same vice chancellor and governing body but would keep their local presence and names."

"The move comes as universities across the country face financial challenges. More than two in five higher education institutions forecast a deficit for 2024-25 in data released in May. Many universities have announced redundancies and other cost-cutting measures. The Department for Education (DfE), which is expected to publish a White Paper soon setting out its plans for higher education reform, said the collaboration shows how strong partnerships in higher education can help enable delivery of world-class teaching and research"

Kent and Greenwich plan to merge next year to form the London and South East University Group, described as the UK's first super-university. The combined entity will have one vice chancellor and a single governing body while retaining local campuses and institutional names. The merger is presented as a trailblazing model and a blueprint for other institutions, intended to strengthen financial resilience amid sector-wide deficits and cost-cutting. The new group will operate across existing campuses from Greenwich's London site to Canterbury and Medway, where facilities are already shared. Professor Jane Harrington is set to be the first vice chancellor, and students will continue to apply to and graduate from each university separately.

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