Professor Dame Karen Holford, Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor of Cranfield University, with Professor Shitij Kapur, Vice-Chancellor and President of King’s
We are today (14 May) announcing that we have signed an agreement with Cranfield University. This is the first step towards a proposed merger, with the aim of bringing our two institutions together from August 2027.
Cranfield is a specialist university, known internationally for its strengths in technology, engineering, management and applied research, as well as its deep and longstanding partnerships with industry and government. The university welcomes around 5,000 postgraduate students from more than 100 countries each year and has approximately 1,500 academic and professional services staff. They have an alumni community of over 80,000 members across 173 countries.
We are at an early stage in what will be a shared journey, and much still needs to be worked through. At this point, we want to share what this means for you and for King’s.
First, we want to be clear that your day-to-day experience as a student at King’s will remain unchanged. This will not affect the content of your course, where you study, the cohort you are part of, or the degree you graduate with.
What this will do is strengthen what we can offer in the future. Through this proposed merger, which is planned for August 2027, Cranfield will become part of King’s and together we will recognise and build on Cranfield’s distinct culture and contribution.
Cranfield is currently a postgraduate university, and will be strengthened by joining a comprehensive University like King’s. In turn, King’s will be strengthened by Cranfield’s expertise in technology, engineering and management, alongside its deep partnerships with industry and government.
For our students, this will open new opportunities over time. Cranfield brings world-leading facilities and capabilities in areas such as advanced manufacturing, bio renewables, water security and aerospace – including access to specialist environments and equipment that are rare within UK universities. As our institutions come together, this will expand opportunities for interdisciplinary learning, collaboration, and exposure to industry, helping to prepare our students for a wider range of careers and enabling us to contribute even more strongly to the challenges facing society and the wider world.
We know this news will raise questions, and we will continue to share more as plans develop. In the meantime, you can find further information in our FAQs or contact strategy2030@kcl.ac.uk.
As we look to the future of King’s and to welcoming Cranfield into our intellectually vibrant and inclusive community, we would like to thank you for all you do in making King’s a place that others want to be part of. Integrating two historic institutions, each with its own culture and identity, will not be without challenges. We are confident that our shared values, complementary strengths and commitment to service to society will guide us as we embark on this journey together.