Today, Greenwich Students’ Union are excited to announce plans for a proposed merger with Kent Students’ Union. Greenwich Students’ Union and Kent Students’ Union are independent separate legal charities.

In September 2025, the University of Greenwich and the University of Kent announced plans to come together and form a new ‘super-university’. These plans have since been confirmed, and the London and South East University Group will come into effect from 1^st August 2026. You can read more details on the University of Greenwich website.

Greenwich Students’ Union and Kent Students’ Union have been having conversations with our trustee boards and universities to discuss how this may impact our work.

As a result of these discussions, the trustee boards have taken the decision, in principle, to merge our two students’ unions. The newly formed students’ union will represent all students across the London and South East University Group.

Why have we taken this decision?

We are excited by the opportunity to build a new organisation that will ensure a consistent, high quality student experience across the whole of the London and South East University Group. 

Our two unions exist to represent students, and to ensure you have an amazing university experience. The new organisation will help us to protect and strengthen that work within the new university structure. 

The aim is to create a combined students’ union that draws on the strengths of both of our organisations and delivers an enhanced student experience across all four campuses.

What does this mean for you?

Representation, campaigning and advocacy remain central to our work. The creation of one union will allow us to speak for our students across all four campuses, while also focussing on local issues that matter to Greenwich students and Kent students.  

The officer team that was elected at each union in the 2026 elections will remain in post for the 2026/27 academic year. Other elected and appointed roles on campus will evolve over time as part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen student democracy. 

Clubs and societies will continue as they do now through 2026/27. Over time, there will be the opportunity to share resources and grow our activities. 

Much of our student facing activity in 2026/27 will feel similar to it does now. Events, activities and advice services will continue to be delivered across all campuses.

We have pulled together some FAQs covering all the questions you might have (PDF download).

What are the next steps?

We are currently scoping out the new organisation and working through a due diligence process. We will be working with regulators, staff, the universities and students, to work through the proposed merger. Our aim is to have the process completed by August 2026.

We will be in touch regularly over the next few months to keep you updated. In the meantime, if you have any questions you can get in touch at greenwichsu@greenwich.ac.uk.