Anglia Ruskin merger ‘secures sustainable future’ for Writtle

Anglia Ruskin University has announced plans to merge with an agricultural institution, Writtle University College.

ARU said that the union would “secure a long-term, sustainable future for Writtle, and unlock significant opportunities for growth and development by bringing together the two institutions’ strengths across education and research”.

ARU has a campus in Chelmsford, the Essex city which Writtle is located on the outskirts of. In future the 130-year-old college will be known as ARU Writtle, alongside ARU’s other campuses in Cambridge, Peterborough and London.

Tim Middleton, Writtle’s vice-chancellor, said that joining ARU would “provide a sustainable future for further education and higher education at the Writtle campus”.

“It ensures continued provision of our specialist courses and a commitment to support the development of the estate for the benefit of students, staff and the wider community. ARU has extensive expertise and resources, and is able to promote Writtle’s unique strengths to a wide, international audience,” Professor Middleton said.

Writtle offers courses in agriculture and animal sciences, as well as life sciences, sport and health, and boasts a working farm, specialist small animal unit and equine centre on campus.

ARU said its expertise in areas such as health, animal and sport sciences would “help to support and grow both education and research at Writtle”.

Writtle’s full range of higher and further education courses “will continue to be delivered on site, supported and enhanced by the wider resources of ARU”, the university added.

“We are delighted to announce our intention to merge with Writtle University College,” said Roderick Watkins, ARU’s vice-chancellor. “With our shared values, considerable resources and geographical proximity, we are uniquely positioned to sustain and build on Writtle University College’s excellent reputation and vision.

“I look forward to achieving sustained growth and continued success at both higher education and further education levels.”

The announcement comes amid continued financial pressure on the UK higher education sector, and just weeks after St George’s, University of London and City, University of London confirmed that they proposed to merge.

chris.havergal@timeshighereducation.com