UK’s first ‘super-university’ to be created as two merge from 2026

The BBC will be created with the merger of the UK’s first “Super University”, the Universities of Kent and Greenwich.

Under the proposed London and South East University Group, the only institution will be a vice president of the academic year that began in the autumn of 2026.

For students who are the UK’s higher education regulator, the office welcomed the movement and argued that more universities could discover similar options when they fight with economic difficulties, and that 40% of British universities were financially revealed.

However, the university and college union, as a result of the “almost definitely” will be the surplus, he said.

Jo Grady, the Secretary General of the tip, says that what is defined as the merger is “a transfer by Greenwich”, as the Kent is “on the brink of bankruptcy”.

MS Grady, “I also think that this is a wider problem for the sector. Both of these institutions should be on the government’s radar and we see how a crisis is managed instead of entering. This does not offer stability to students, staff or the sector, Ger he added.

The Ministry of Education (DFE) said that ministers “welcomed such innovative approaches”.

This is the first merger of the scale in the UK with the total number of students in the new institution reached approximately 50,000. Smaller combines Unification of three colleges at the Plateau and Islands Network University It happened before.

The new university will operate on existing campuses, including both Greenwich and Kent, where students share their facilities, including the library.

Kent has about 30 miles (approximately 48 km) campus in Canterbury.

Greenwich has approximately 28 miles (45km) from the Medway (45km) on the banks of the Thames River in Greenwich, and the other is about 24 miles (38km) from the Southeast Avery Hill in London.

Universities, combined institution, Economic difficulties faced by universities Now and in the future.

Speaking only with the BBC, the vice president of both universities insisted that the movement was not a inheritance or that they were not caused by a financial crisis for both, but argued that the new university model would be “flexible and financially appropriate”.

Prof Georgina Randsley de Moura will remain as the temporary leader of the Kent until the merger will be the vice president of the new institution, Prof Jane Harrington, who runs Greenwich.

Prof Randsley de Moura said that the “Trailblazing model” will protect the names, identities and campuses of universities in the new group.

Prof Harrington said that universities have worked together on the Medway campus for 20 years and now want to go further to contribute to the economy in London and the South East.

“This is about getting the best of both universities and telling what we want to offer to our communities,” he said.

There will be no visible change for students, applications continue normally for each institution and the degrees given on behalf of the city or Greenwich.

Prof Harrington said that students can say “absolutely categorically” any course they are registered, including those who started university this autumn this autumn.

Universities, there is no urgent plan for loss of work, but both have to make the last interruptions, he said.

After listening to the news, some personnel in Canterbury this morning said that they felt “last minute” and worried about things.

Researcher Jack Davis said it was a little early to know exactly what it means in terms of restructuring, but could see the benefits of cooperation.

“If other institutions have other kit bit, it may mean that we can encourage these relationships and perhaps do experiments there,” he said.

In May, Greenwich confirmed that 15 full -time tasks cut the equivalent until August.

The city already exists Some courses started to destroy To reduce costs to reduce costs more openly in 2024.

The planned merger is likely to provoke anxiety about long -term expectations between personnel.

Prof Harrington said he realized that he would be concerned about tasks and would reduce senior roles and save costs.

In the UK, the losses of work in many institutions in the last few years are increasing, and the university and college union (tip) estimates that the number of general tasks cut is about 5,000.

Once rarely, the merger became more common, City St George was created last year from two separate parts of the University of London.

Most others contain smaller or expert institutions.

Alex Stanley of the National Students’ Association said that these decisions are carried out efficiently and as a result, students face interruptions and personnel rates worsened.

“What we see with the increase in tuition fees from the corner, students are asked to pay less money,” he said.

On Wednesday, the plans announced on a larger scale, two universities offer a wide variety of courses and spread over a wider geographical area.

The merger will be watched with interest by other universities looking for ways to cooperate to stabilize their financial situation.

This academic year has increased to £ 9,535, but the major increase fees 13 years ago increased from £ 9,000 to £ 9,000 per year, and real value to universities due to costs.

In the last academic year, the number of applications of international students who paid higher wages was 16% lower than universities.

He followed the visa restrictions introduced in 2024, which prevented international students from bringing family members.

Vivienne Stern, one of the UK universities, said that unification is important and how universities think differently.

Authorized, university financing “slow erosion” should be stopped and the government “quite fast in the field” is necessary, he said.

These government plans are expected to be in this autumn for future financing of universities in the UK.

The ministers already said that they want to apply 6% tax for income from international students.

“This cooperation shows that strong partnerships in higher education can help to present first -class teaching and research while maintaining the best interests of students.”

Any amendment on this scale should be inspected by the offsure that organizes universities in the UK and ensures that students do not deteriorate.

“In any merger, effective communication with students will be very important.” He said.

“Existing students will continue to work for the courses they register for and continue to expect excellent teaching and support.”