Greenwich and Kent to merge as UK’s first ‘super-university’ from 2026

The universities of Greenwich and Kent have received formal approval to merge, creating the UK’s first so-called “super-university”.

The new institution, expected to be the third-largest higher education provider in the country, is consulting on the name London and South East University Group. The merger will officially take effect on 1 August 2026.

Professor Jane Harrington, the current vice-chancellor of the University of Greenwich, will become the designate vice-chancellor of the new university group. Senior leadership roles are expected to be confirmed by April, including a position for the University of Kent’s acting vice-chancellor, Professor Georgina Randsley de Moura.

Although the universities will merge under one group structure, Greenwich and Kent will continue to operate as separate academic institutions, keeping their names. Students will still apply to, study at, and graduate from the university of their choice.

All staff will be employed by the new university group, which will have a single vice-chancellor, board of governors and executive leadership team.

University leaders said the merger would strengthen financial stability, expand research capacity and improve long-term resilience, as UK universities face growing economic pressure. The Office for Students has warned that nearly half of higher education providers could run deficits in the 2024–25 academic year.

Union leaders have previously said such mergers reflect serious financial strain across the sector, but the universities argue the move will provide a stronger foundation to face future challenges.