The Universities of Kent and Greenwich have officially joined forces to create what they describe as Britain’s first super university, marking one of the most significant changes to the UK higher education landscape in decades.
The newly established London and South East University Group, known as LASE, brings together more than 50,000 students across four campuses in London, Medway and Kent. The new organisation immediately becomes the third largest university group in the United Kingdom, behind only the Open University and University College London.
Despite the merger, both institutions will retain their identities. Students will continue applying to, studying at and graduating from either the University of Kent or the University of Greenwich, while the universities will operate as separate academic divisions under the LASE umbrella. Staff from both institutions will now be employed by the unified university group.
The official launch of LASE is scheduled for 7 September, exactly one year after the merger plans were first announced. The legal merger came into effect on 1 August following months of planning, consultation and regulatory approval.
The move comes at a time when Britain’s universities are facing mounting financial pressures. Frozen domestic tuition fees, rising operating costs and a decline in international student enrolment have left many institutions struggling to balance their finances.
Earlier this year, MPs on the Education Committee warned there was a genuine possibility that an English university could become insolvent for the first time. The Office for Students has also warned that 24 higher education providers face a significant risk of insolvency, while nearly half of all universities could record budget deficits during the 2025 to 2026 academic year.
University leaders believe the new structure will provide greater financial resilience while expanding research capacity, improving teaching and strengthening partnerships with businesses and local communities.
Professor Jane Harrington, Vice Chancellor of the University of Greenwich and the newly appointed Chief Executive of LASE, said the merger represents a completely new model for British higher education.
“There has been tireless work over the last year working to an ambitious timetable and developing a new university model that has never been done before,” she said.
“It means we are starting with a smooth transition, an extremely strong senior executive team and clear direction so that we can fulfil our potential as the UK’s first super university.”
Government ministers and sector leaders have welcomed the initiative, describing it as an innovative response to the financial challenges confronting universities across England. The Department for Education has said the partnership could provide a blueprint for future collaborations as institutions seek to improve long term sustainability.
The Kent and Greenwich partnership is unlikely to be the last major consolidation in the sector. In May, King’s College London announced plans to merge with Cranfield University in 2027, another move designed to strengthen research capability and financial resilience amid continued uncertainty facing higher education.
