A college with a proud trade union history is to become part of a London university after experiencing ¡°financial challenges¡±.

Oxford¡¯s Ruskin College will join the University of West London (UWL) to ensure that its ¡°provision is sustainable, its rich heritage is preserved, and that its future is secure¡±, the university said.

Ruskin, an adult learning institution offering higher and further education courses that was founded in?1899, calls itself the ¡°home of trade union education for more than 100?years¡±. It describes itself as focusing on ¡°students who either missed out on formal education or faced financial, personal, or social obstacles to further study¡±.

Former Labour prime minister Clement Attlee taught at Ruskin, while former Labour deputy prime minister John Prescott and ex-MP Dennis Skinner are among its alumni.

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In recent years, Ruskin has faced ¡°financial challenges¡±, UWL said, putting its future in doubt. There had been suggestions that it could join a consortium of local colleges, but UWL said it had been approached to take over the institution and had agreed.

UWL said?the two institutions ¡°have a history of successful cooperation and share similar values; widening participation and access to ÖйúAƬ being central to both institutions¡±.

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¡°This is an exciting moment in the history of both Ruskin College and the University of West London. We look forward to re-energising the college so it can continue to deliver its historic mission while ensuring its learners achieve their full potential,¡± said Peter John, UWL¡¯s vice-chancellor.

Jennifer Bernard, chair of UWL¡¯s board, said the university¡¯s vision was ¡°to combine Ruskin¡¯s traditions with our own deep commitment to the delivery of a genuinely exceptional education for?all¡±.

chris.havergal@timeshighereducation.com