King’s College London and Cranfield University to merge
The two UK universities agree to merge from August 2027.
The universities say the proposed merger will create a UK university especially equipped for the changing world, with enhanced opportunities and resources for students, a synergy in its disciplinary mix, and a distinctive offer for the UK’s future.
The union is intended to build on the existing individual strengths of each institution, to support national capability and resilience across:
- Engineering and technology – aerospace, advanced manufacturing, AI and robotics
- Environment and resources – water, soil, food systems and climate
- Energy – hydrogen, batteries and net zero systems
- Economy, industry and leadership – productivity, skills and innovation
- Society and policy – health and life sciences, regulation and public leadership
- Security and defence – expertise spanning science, strategy and operations
They claim that together they will deliver:
- A globally leading engineering and technology capability aligned with industrial missions and future prosperity.
- A distinctive contribution to national resilience, security and defence.
- Leading business and management education provision spanning undergraduate programmes, MBA and executive education.
- A combined force at the forefront of environmental science and policy with clean-tech, and a particular emphasis on alternative fuels and net-zero transportation.
- Interdisciplinary research that unites the combined strengths of both institutions from engineering, technology and environmental sciences to health, social sciences, arts and humanities, to address complex challenges.
Lord Patrick Vallance KCB, Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero says, 'The combination of Cranfield and King’s creates an extraordinarily powerful university. It holds huge potential for the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor and for wider UK research capability and training, bringing together two world-class institutions and giving King’s a place at the heart of one of our most important regions for science and technology.
'It will create a driver of innovation and growth, capitalise on the complementary strengths and specialisms of both institutions and increase access, capacity and resilience across teaching and research.'
