UK's first 'super-university' to launch in 2026 as Kent and Greenwich merge

"The UK is set to get its first-ever "super-university" as the Universities of Kent and Greenwich prepare to merge from autumn 2026. The new institution, to be called the London and South East University Group, will be led by a single vice-chancellor and operate across all existing campuses. This includes Medway, where both universities already share facilities such as the library, as well as Kent's Canterbury base and Greenwich's campuses on the Thames and in Avery Hill, south-east London."

"The move has been welcomed by the Office for Students (OfS), which regulates higher education in England. It said the merger could provide a template for other universities as they grapple with mounting economic pressures. With 40% of English universities now in financial deficit, the OfS suggested more institutions may follow suit to safeguard their futures. Both universities stressed this was not a takeover, nor prompted by an immediate financial crisis. Instead, they argue the new model will make them more resilient and financially viable in the long run."

"Professor Karen Cox Harrington of Greenwich said the two institutions had already worked together for 20 years in Medway and now wanted to go further: "This is about taking the best of both universities and asking what we want to offer our communities." Professor Catherine Randsley de Moura of Kent described it as a "trailblazing model", insisting that both Kent and Greenwich would retain their names, identities, and campuses under the new structure."

The Universities of Kent and Greenwich will merge from autumn 2026 to form the London and South East University Group, led by a single vice-chancellor and operating across all current campuses including Medway, Canterbury, Greenwich and Avery Hill. The Office for Students welcomed the merger and suggested it could serve as a template amid mounting financial pressures, noting 40% of English universities are in deficit. Both institutions said the merger is not a takeover or a response to an immediate crisis and emphasized retention of names, identities and campuses. Students will see no immediate changes to applications or degree awards. Both universities have faced job cuts in recent years, and Greenwich confirmed reductions in May.

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