A Catholic university college in London has announced that it will not be admitting any undergraduates in 2015 due to funding challenges.
Heythrop College in Kensington, West London, announced the decision in a statement released today which is also said that it was considering merging with St Mary’s University, Twickenham.
The statement read: “Heythrop College is continuing its discussions with St Mary’s University after both institutions have completed due diligence on the other. Following agreement from the governing bodies of both institutions, the talks will now explore potential models of partnership with a view to reaching a final decision by Easter 2015.
“At its meeting on Thursday, Heythrop’s governors discussed the position for current students. They have confirmed that all current students at Heythrop College will continue to receive degrees from the University of London upon successful completion of their studies. This continuity of education is guaranteed. A group of staff and students has already been established to focus on this over the coming months. Additional resources will also be made available to the Heythrop Student Union to develop the wider student experience during this period.
“The governors also considered recruitment to the College in September 2015. In the circumstances, they have decided not to admit undergraduates for University of London degrees. Recruitment will continue for postgraduate programmes and for the professional programme for the Catholic priesthood. The College has consulted extensively inside the College, including with student representatives and outside the College, including with the University of London, with the Higher Education Funding Council for England and with the Society of Jesus.”
Fr Michael Holman, who is principal of the college, said: “We are all well aware of the challenges we face in meeting the costs of an autonomous college of the University of London. These challenges are all the greater in the more competitive world of higher education which this government has been introducing. The gap between income and expenditure has been bridged for many years by the Society of Jesus but their capacity to continue to do this is limited.
“The discussions with St Mary’s offer us an opportunity to secure Heythrop’s mission in the form of a strategic partnership with another institution which shares our Catholic educational tradition. We will continue and deepen our talks with a view to preparing a proposal which both governing bodies will consider by Easter 2015. In the meantime, our focus is on continuing to support our students and staff.”
Heythrop College is the oldest constituent college of the university of London and was established in 1614 by the Society of Jesus.
Areas of Catholic Herald business are still recovering post-pandemic.
However, we are reaching out to the Catholic community and readership, that has been so loyal to the Catholic Herald. Please join us on our 135 year mission by supporting us.
We are raising £250,000 to safeguard the Herald as a world-leading voice in Catholic journalism and teaching.
We have been a bold and influential voice in the church since 1888, standing up for traditional Catholic culture and values. Please consider donating.