IOE and UCL to consult on proposed merger

The Institute of Education (IOE) and UCL today announced that they are to begin consultation on a proposed merger. Having successfully developed a strategic partnership since October 2012, there will now be a consultation with staff, students and external partners on a full merger between the two institutions. The consultation process will begin immediately and the outcome will be reported to the councils of both institutions in May. Both universities will also enter into negotiations and undertake a process of due diligence on the proposals. Subject to the agreement of the councils and senior management teams of IOE and UCL, the two universities could merge during this calendar year Professor Chris Husbands, IOE Director, said: "The success of our strategic partnership over the last two years supports our belief that our two worldclass universities would be stronger together. Our institutional visions and academic and research strengths are mutually compatible and the benefits of combining resources with our neighbours in Bloomsbury are obvious. "I am convinced that this proposal would help both institutions to thrive and flourish and to compete even more effectively in what is now a global higher education market.