“Our Universities and Colleges are engines of innovation, growth, and learning, creating opportunity right across the region, and both enriching and being enriched by the economic, social and cultural life of South London’s diverse communities.
“Each institution brings its own strengths, and together our global, national and regional networks give us the power to create real impact. By working as one, right alongside our partner South London Boroughs, we can amplify that impact for everyone who lives, works, studies, and is invested in South London.”
Vice Chancellors and College Principals of the Ten Institutions
A Unified Approach to Skills and Innovation
The South London Colleges & Universities Partnership brings together ten of the sub‑region’s leading universities, colleges and research institutions to create a more connected and responsive tertiary education ecosystem. Under a shared Memorandum of Understanding, the partnership aligns expertise in teaching, research and employer engagement to strengthen opportunities for residents and provide a clearer offer for businesses.
Working with the South London Partnership and building on the success of BIG South London, the collaboration supports BIG Ambition: South London Growth and the Mayor’s London Growth Plan. By focusing on sectors where the sub‑region has established strengths, including health and life sciences, digital and creative industries, the visitor economy and green technologies, the partnership directs activity where it can deliver the greatest impact.
Together, the partners are committed to providing a single, strategic point of engagement for boroughs, government and industry, enhancing coordination and collaboration across the region and helping South London’s skills and innovation system work more effectively for learners, employers and communities.
This new university and further education partnership builds on five years of working together through BIG South London.
Our Shared Mission
Powering Innovation and Growth
To coordinate research, innovation and enterprise support that accelerates business productivity and attracts investment
Harnessing the partners’ collective research strengths, facilities, and expertise will create a more accessible and capable innovation ecosystem. Building on the achievements of BIG South London, we will expand collaborative programmes, joint funding bids and knowledge‑exchange activity so that more businesses can innovate, scale and contribute to a resilient, high‑performing sub‑regional economy.
Connecting People, Skills and Opportunity
To create coherent pathways that help residents move from education into high‑quality, secure jobs
By aligning further and higher education provision with employer demand, the partnership will simplify routes into key sectors and help residents progress confidently from training into meaningful careers. Working as a coordinated system across colleges and universities, we will widen participation, strengthen skills development and ensure learners at every level can access the opportunities available in a growing South London economy.
Coordinating Regional Delivery
To provide a clear, collaborative point of engagement with the South London Partnership for skills, innovation and employer needs
Working closely with the South London Partnership, the collaboration will offer a unified interface for government, boroughs and industry. This joined‑up approach will improve coordination, align investments and target support where it can have the greatest effect, ensuring South London’s system for skills and innovation is more coherent, responsive and place‑based.
“South London already has outstanding universities and colleges. This agreement brings them together with a clearer focus and a stronger shared voice.
“It means better coordination on skills, closer links with employers and a clearer offer to investors. Most importantly, it helps local people access the training that growing sectors demand – making it easier to turn talent into opportunity.”
Councillor Gareth Roberts, Leader, Richmond Council and Chair, South London Partnership
“It’s great to see colleges and Universities work hand-in-hand to boost opportunity, investment and growth across South London. This supports our commitment to building a more integrated skills and employment system, as outlined in the Mayor’s Inclusive Talent Strategy, growing our economy whilst ensuring Londoners can access the career and training pathways they need.
“I am looking forward to working with South London Colleges and Universities Partnership on this exciting project, as we continue to build a fairer and more prosperous London for everyone.”
Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor for Business
