Higher and further ties the knot

Two pioneering mergers between higher and further education institutions were up for approval this week. Derby University was given the go-ahead by the Further Education Funding Council this week for a full merger with High Peak College, Buxton, effective from August 1. Plans for a merger between Hertfordshire University and Dunstable College, already approved in principle, were due to be given the final approval as The THES went to press.