Part of the University of Greenwich, south London. Photo DS Pugh/geographically.org.uk (CC BY-SA 2.0).
In September, the University of Greenwich and the University of Kent announced a plan to create a new “trailblazing” multi-university. Branded as the London and South East University Group, they would come together under one structure and one vice-chancellor – but keeping their names and local presence.
Universities UK described this as “a perfect example of the creative thinking” needed in the sector. The reality is different: Kent had a £31 million deficit in 2024, up from £12 million the year before.
Kent’s business model was to place itself as a “European University”, relying heavily on international student income. This university, which prided itself on its lack of roots in Britain, will be the first to be subsumed. Its website still emphasises global activity.
Greenwich is one of the few institutions in surplus. A report in University World News suggested that it may be hoping to buy research capability and prestige, but it may also end up having to strip them back.
And 20 per cent of Greenwich’s income is dependent on international students. That’s threatened since the government tightened rules on dependants and how long they could remain post study.
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