New Advance HE report shares learning from Health Sciences University merger
New Advance HE report shares learning from Health Sciences University merger
Advance HE has published a new report that explores the merger which brought together AECC University College in Bournemouth and the University College of Osteopathy in London to create Health Sciences University (HSU). The report, published on 8 December 2025, sets out practical learning from the process and has been co-produced by Advance HE and HSU as part of Advance HE’s Insights series on institutional transformation.
The report reflects on the period from the initial decision through to legal completion, drawing on interviews and evidence from governors, senior leaders, staff and students across both legacy institutions. It highlights the strength of the governing bodies in providing clear direction and robust oversight, and the commitment of leaders and staff in guiding the merger while keeping students at the heart of the process.
Professor Lesley Haig, Vice-Chancellor of HSU, commented:
“Through the dedication and hard work of those across both institutions, the merger of AECC University College and the University College of Osteopathy, now Health Sciences University, has successfully united two distinct communities while preserving their individual strengths and laying a strong foundation for the future.
“The merger was never a last-resort option, but a proactive and evidence-based response to a changing sector, grounded in honest dialogue, robust information and a shared understanding of our strategic objectives.
“This report captures the essence of what made our merger successful, and we are pleased to see these experiences and insights shared for the benefit of the wider sector.”
Kim Ansell, Advance HE’s Senior Consultant for Governance, said:
“This merger journey demonstrates that successful transformation requires more than just robust processes and careful planning. It demands exceptional governance, with boards willing to be proactive and challenging, combined with leadership that truly understands the human dimension of change.
“What stands out in the Health Sciences University story is how all stakeholders recognised that a successful merger would require significant time, resources and emotional investment from everyone involved.”
The report highlights several factors that supported the merger process, including clear governance arrangements, early formation of leadership teams and a strong focus on culture. It also recognises the pressures and adjustments involved, from aligning systems and processes to building a shared identity across two different sites and professional communities.
The report also sets out the value of strategic appraisal, sound financial and legal expertise, specialist merger advice and disciplined project management. It recommends allowing room for delays and being realistic about the time required to work through the complexity of change. Although mergers will not suit every institution, the lessons drawn from the creation of Health Sciences University are presented as useful for any organisation considering significant structural change. The report notes that strategic, cultural and operational challenges are common to many forms of transformation, not only mergers.
Insights from the Health Sciences University Merger was written by Dr David Ashton, Associate at Advance HE, with support from Senior Consultant Kim Ansell. It forms the final part of a three-report series, following earlier publications on the mergers that created City St George’s, University of London, and Anglia Ruskin University and Writtle University College. The report has been developed to support governing bodies and policymakers as they navigate organisational change and consider the options available to them.
Further information
Read the Advance HE news article:
https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/news-and-views/new-report-provides-practical-insights-health-sciences-university-merger
Read the full report:
https://advance-he.ac.uk/knowledge-hub/insights-health-sciences-university-merger
