Three Scottish higher education institutions are planning to work more closely together in a “strategic alliance”, but have insisted that there are no plans to merge.
Edinburgh Napier University, Queen Margaret University (QMU) and SRUC (Scotland’s Rural College) are set to join forces in a new partnership, with money from the Scottish Funding Council’s (SFC) transformation fund.
While some English universities are pressing ahead with formal mergers, the Scottish institutions are positioning their venture as an opportunity to explore collaboration opportunities rather than a complete restructure.
The universities are expected to maintain their own governance structures and degree-awarding powers, as well as brands and institutional identities.
A spokesperson for QMU said potential areas for exploration “include shared services, procurement, curriculum collaboration, student pathways and regional skills planning”.
