What is special about today – why are you having an official launch? (added 07/09/2026)
LASE is the first multi-university group – what we’re calling a ‘super-university’ - to exist in the UK. Staff and partners have worked tirelessly over the last year to develop this model and structure, and have worked closely with the DfE and OfS to ensure it would get regulatory approval.
Whilst this model is unique to Greenwich and Kent, we believe it can be a blueprint for the sector – an exciting and innovative way to increase universities’ resilience. It’s really important to recognise the significance of this moment and the work that’s gone into it.
What’s the purpose of the LASE sculpture? (added 07/09/2026)
As we get ready for our first academic year as LASE, the sculpture is a celebration of what we have achieved to get to this point, a coming together of our four diverse campuses and a welcome to our 50,000 students and 7,000 staff.
Its design symbolises a new shared gateway to the future, with the lines intertwining and crossing over representing our two institutions coming together.
You’re marking the launch with a festival for staff – is there anything planned for students? (added 07/09/2026)
Students will continue to see benefits of the merger throughout the year and beyond – but to avoid confusion, we won’t be doing anything similar to the staff festival.
What early benefits will students see, now that we are part of the LASE university Group? (added 07/09/26)
In terms of shared facilities, Our Drill Hall Library at Medway is already a shared service. From Monday 7 September, reciprocal access is available in our other libraries.
All Greenwich students and staff now have access to the Templeman Library in Canterbury. Kent students and staff have access to Greenwich’s Stockwell Street and Avery Hill libraries.
Staff and students will have to show their ID to gain entrance. They will be able to access open study spaces and physical collections of books, journals and other resources on a reference-only basis. Borrowing and printing will be limited to their home institution’s collection.
For those students looking to access other support services, they will now be able to request access to support at the location of their choice across the Group.
Day One FAQ: What does the legal completion of the merger mean for me? (added 03/08/26)
The merger legally completed on 1 August 2026, creating the LASE University Group. However, very little changes on Day 1 for staff, students or partners, and everyone should continue with business as usual. Please refer to our Preparing for Day 1 article.
Will this impact my visa sponsorship from the University of Greenwich? added 26/06/2026
There will be no impact on existing staff who are currently sponsored by either University of Greenwich or University of Kent as a result of merger. Sponsorship arrangements will remain in place and there are no requirements for any of our sponsored colleagues to take individual action. We have worked with the Home Office, who are aware of the creation of LASE University Group, the TUPE transfer of Kent staff on 1 August 2026 and that all of our staff will subsequently be employed by LASE University Group as a result of merger. Any information that the Home Office has required has been dealt with by People and Culture Team (Kent) and People Team (Greenwich). Any colleague who has any specific enquiry relating to their individual circumstances can raise these directly with the relevant team cited.
What is an ‘academic division'?
Once the new multi-university group is formed, the University of Greenwich and the University of Kent will become academic divisions within the larger group - this is the legal terminology within this unique, new multi-university structure. Each will retain its own name, brand and local presence and students will be able to apply to, study at and graduate from their chosen university. The legal entity will be the university group (working title London and South East University Group) and all staff will be employed by the university group.
What changes, if any, will come into effect for staff on 1 August? (updated 03/08/2026)
Now that the multi-university group is established, all members of staff at the University of Greenwich and the University of Kent have become employees of the new group. Your employer name on your payslip will change to the London and South East University Group. However, your day-to-day work will continue as it does now.
Will there be any changes to my pension? (updated 03/08/2026)
Current staff will be able to stay in their existing pension scheme when the new Group is formed. Some staff will also have additional pension options available, but there will be no requirement to change schemes.
Please refer to the pension workstream page for full details about your pensions.
Are there any changes to my salary/benefits?
When the group is established on 1 August 2026, staff will retain their current contracts and relevant HR policies. If, at a later stage, we wish to consider harmonisation of contracts and policies, we would of course consult with both staff and trade unions accordingly.
Who do I work for? Kent/Greenwich/the multi-university group?
On 1 August, all employees of both Greenwich and Kent will become employees of London and South East University Group (this name is yet to be agreed by the OFS).
Now that contracts have been exchanged, do we need to redraft existing strategies to incorporate the merger?
At this stage our current strategic projects and direction will continue. Medium to longer term, we envisage that the new multi university group will have one over-arching strategy, which will draw on the shared vision of both institutions to strengthen our offering and bring greater benefits to transform lives and support the region's needs - from city to coast. Any new strategic approach will be developed with input from students and staff across both organisations and will be approved by the new Board of Governors.