By 2026, they plan to build the UK‘s first ‘super-university.’ Their unprecedented collaboration will lead to the formation of a new institution. It’s expected to serve almost 50,000 students on several campuses in the densely populated, cosmopolitan southeastern corner of England.
The University of Kent’s campus in Canterbury, roughly 30 miles from London. It has an unusual and productive connection to the University of Greenwich, which has campuses in Medway, Greenwich, and Avery Hill. Both universities already work closely together, sharing resources including library resources and art facilities at the Medway campus. Although the merger will happen, their unique identities and names will remain with the institutions. They’ll continue to work as a group, but with the new name of London and South East University Group.
Professor Georgina Randsley de Moura is interim Vice Chancellor at the University of Kent. At the University of Greenwich, Professor Jane Harrington is another recent arrival at the helm. In concert with the merger, Professor Harrington will become the new institution’s Vice Chancellor and lead it.
The reasoning for this merger comes from fiscal issues impacting both schools. The University of Kent is another university taking immediate, drastic measures to save money. In response to a projected deficit in 2024, it has begun to slowly sunset some courses. Spin, spin the University of Greenwich has recently laid off staff, cutting 15 full-time jobs to “focus the operation.” This consolidation is expected to save millions by cutting senior-level management positions at both universities.
Tuition has increased this academic year to £9,535. Universities are having a hard time keeping their real value flat, as their own costs have been rising since 2012. Education critics—including Alex Stanley from the National Union of Students—have raised alarms on this trend.
“What we’re seeing with the tuition fee increase coming around the corner, is that students are being asked to pay more for less.” – Alex Stanley from the National Union of Students
The merger will indeed provide tremendous efficiencies, the case has been criticized…UCU general secretary Jo Grady described it as “a hostile takeover by Greenwich.” These conditions have generated critical questions regarding governance and institutional integrity.
The formation of the London and South East University Group marks a significant milestone in higher education in the UK. This partnership is indeed unprecedented in size. It unites two academic institutions that provide a rich and complex curriculum in an unusual geographic setting.
“This is about taking the best of both universities and saying what do we want to offer to our communities.”
The partnerships and collaborative endeavors fostered between these two universities have paved a way for future partnerships in higher education. They seek to improve student experiences by mutually benefiting from the utilization of complementary resources and/or facilities. Jack Davis, a representative from one of the universities, highlighted how this may foster further collaboration:
As steps toward the merger continue, all stakeholders are still crossing their fingers that it will prove beneficial. This strategy meets the fiscal realities confronting higher education with integrity and candor. It’s not just a significant step toward realizing the long-term sustainability of these institutions.
“If other institutions have other bits of kit, it might mean we’re able to foster relations and maybe do experiments there too.”
The new merger only formally comes into effect in 2026. This extended period provides both universities with opportunity to address the significant logistical challenges involved in forming a new super-university.
The merger is set to officially take effect in 2026, providing ample time for both universities to work through the logistical challenges involved in creating this super-university.
