The universities of Kent and Greenwich will merge to form what is being described as the UK's first "super-university," operating across campuses in London and the South East from the 2026 academic year.
The combined institution, to be known as the London and South East University Group, will have a single vice-chancellor from autumn 2026. Professor Jane Harrington, the current vice-chancellor of Greenwich, is slated to lead the merged university; Professor Georgina Randsley de Moura will remain interim leader of Kent until the change takes effect. The Office for Students, which regulates higher education in England, said it welcomed the proposal and noted other institutions may explore similar options as universities confront mounting financial pressures.
The new organisation will operate across the existing campuses of both institutions, including the Medway campus where students from Kent and Greenwich already share facilities. Kent’s other campus is in Canterbury; Greenwich also has sites in Greenwich and Avery Hill in south-east London. The universities said students would see no immediate visible change: applications will continue to be made to each institution and degrees will continue to be awarded in the name of Kent or Greenwich.
University leaders framed the merger as a strategic response to sector-wide economic challenges rather than the result of an imminent financial collapse at either institution. "This is about taking the best of both universities and saying what do we want to offer to our communities," Professor Harrington said. Professor Randsley de Moura called the arrangement a "trailblazing model" that would allow the constituent universities to retain their names, identities and campuses within a single governance structure.
Both universities have made recent cost reductions. Greenwich confirmed cuts equivalent to 15 full-time posts by August, and Kent has wound down some courses after posting another deficit in 2024. The University and College Union has estimated about 5,000 posts have been cut across English universities in recent years. The two leaders said there were no immediate plans for job losses related to the merger, though they acknowledged some savings would be achieved by reducing senior roles.
The proposal comes amid broader financial pressures across English higher education. About 40% of English universities are now believed to be in deficit, tuition fees have effectively fallen in real terms since their large increase 13 years ago, and international student applications—an important revenue source—were 16% lower than universities had hoped last year after visa restrictions were tightened in 2024.
Universities UK described the move as significant and called for faster government action to address the "slow erosion" of university finances. The Department for Education said ministers "welcome innovative approaches" and stressed that strong partnerships could help maintain world-class teaching and research while protecting students' interests. Ministers are expected to set out longer-term plans for higher education funding in England later this autumn; proposals under consideration have included a tax on income from international students.
The Office for Students said any merger on this scale must ensure students' studies are not disrupted and that effective communication with students will be crucial. The regulator reiterated that current students should be able to continue studying for the courses they signed up to and should expect high-quality teaching and support.
Observers said the Kent-Greenwich merger will be watched closely across the sector as institutions seek ways to stabilise finances and preserve academic provision. If approved and implemented as planned from 2026, the London and South East University Group would represent one of the most extensive university consolidations in recent UK higher education history.
