UK Universities Rebranded Despite Confusion Concerns
2 Min Read
The Office for Students (OfS) has approved the renaming of two prominent UK institutions, raising concerns about potential confusion for international students.
The University of Bolton will now be known as the University of Greater Manchester, while the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) will be rebranded as the University of Lancashire. The decision, announced on 19 December, comes despite widespread objections from rival institutions, local politicians, and public consultations.
The University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, and the University of Salford strongly opposed Bolton’s rebrand, calling it “confusing and misleading.” Similarly, 90% of respondents in UCLan’s consultation warned that its new name could cause confusion, particularly with the existing Lancaster University.
The OfS acknowledged concerns that the changes could be especially confusing for international students unfamiliar with the UK’s academic landscape or for non-English speakers. However, it ruled that contextual information available to applicants would mitigate any “material harm or detriment.”
Despite the backlash, both universities celebrated the rebrands. Professor George Holmes, Vice-Chancellor of the newly named University of Greater Manchester, called the change “an important accolade” that benefits students, the institution, and the local economy. Meanwhile, Professor Graham Baldwin, Vice-Chancellor of UCLan, said the new title would “better reflect our regional economic importance” and improve recognition outside the region.
The decisions come just weeks after the OfS announced a temporary pause on new registrations and applications for name changes from 2 December 2024. However, applications submitted prior to the freeze, such as these two, were processed.
While the rebrands aim to raise institutional profiles, concerns remain over their impact on international students navigating the UK’s higher education system.
Source: FREE PRESS JOURNAL
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