The University of Greenwich and the University of Kent have announced the intention to formally collaborate.
The partnership will lead to the creation of a new “super-university”, the London and South East University Group* – a new model bringing both institutions under one structure whilst enabling each university to retain its name, identity and local presence.
The collaboration will be a trailblazing model, establishing a first-of-its-kind multi university group, which will create a blueprint for other institutions to follow. The new university group will become one of the largest higher education institutions in the UK and the largest in the South of England. It will be the biggest recruiter of students in London and the South East.
Professor Georgina Randsley de Moura, Acting Vice Chancellor and President of the University of Kent said: “This exciting collaboration is about harnessing the combined power of two ambitious universities looking to the future, to ensure we are sustainable, impactful and can make a bigger difference to the communities we serve.
“Together, we can deliver world-class teaching, grow research that tackles real-world challenges, and create new opportunities for people and places across our wider region. From supporting health and wellbeing to driving innovation in food, sustainability and the creative industries, our work will have impact locally, nationally and globally. Importantly, we will foster a culture where staff and students thrive, collaborate and succeed together.”
The new ‘super university’ will have one unified governing body, academic board and executive team, and one vice-chancellor. The first vice-chancellor will be Professor Jane Harrington. Students will continue to apply to, study at and graduate from their chosen university, preserving each institution’s identity whilst benefitting from the scale and opportunities of the new group.
The combined entity will provide a strong financial foundation to weather current and future economic challenges, widen access to higher education across South East London and Kent, address skills gaps and inequalities, and increase research capacity, particularly in shared priority areas, such as food and sustainability, health and wellbeing and the creative industries. Its collective power will enable it to tackle real world issues with greater impact locally, nationally and globally.
The two universities are working closely with the Department for Education and Office for Students, both of whom support the sector’s need to evolve to ensure future sustainability and impact and deliver positive outcomes for students.
The detailed work is expected to conclude by the end of the year, with a decision on the implementation timescale shortly after. If approved, it is anticipated the London and South East University Group will be established for the 2026/2027 academic year.
* The name ‘London and South East University Group’ is subject to consultation and is a working name at this stage.
Role of Council:
The Council of the University of Kent will continue to play an essential role in overseeing the final decision making on this ground-breaking collaboration and the necessary legal and structural changes, including the establishment of a new governing body for the London and South East University Group, which is expected to include some members from each of the predecessor governing bodies.
Mark Preston, chair of the Council (Governing Body), University of Kent:
“By coming together under a new single structure, we are creating a model that is bold, innovative and designed to support our needs – and the needs of our students – in the future. It allows us combine our strengths whilst giving us the resilience and scale to push boundaries in research, teaching and partnerships. This forward-thinking approach is not just about keeping pace with the sector – it’s about leading it.”
www.kent.ac.uk 
