Will the marriage of St Mary’s and Heythrop go ahead?

One is an eminent 400-year-old Jesuit college situated in a quiet, residential square a stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle of High Street Kensington in London.

The other is a former teacher training college set in a 50-acre site on the outskirts of the capital which, after being granted full university status, has ambitious plans become a centre for public intellectual discussion and research.

Talks between Heythrop College and St Mary’s University in Twickenham are now at an advanced stage. On the table is a merger deal that would see the two institutions “integrating” as St Mary’s, Vice Chancellor Francis Campbell told me this week.

Until now it has been a bit like waiting for a marriage. There has been a courtship, a few rows, and now the respective families are crossing their fingers that a match will be announced soon.

It can’t be denied that in the background there have been murmurings from one or two awkward uncles that both parties “might have done better” but on the whole the marriage makes sense and, after all, the parents are desperate for their family dynasties to continue.

One area of concern for Heythrop, which specialises in Theology and Philosophy, is a perceived loss of academic status due to the fact that a merger with St Mary’s will mean the college is no longer part of the University of London. Listed among Heythrop’s scholars, for example, are the likes of John Cottingham and theologian Keith Ward.

The reality, however, is that St Mary’s and Heythrop are at roughly the same level academically, judging by requirements for student entry and research assessment tables.

A more pressing concern for Heythrop is its financial situation: the college last year reported a £600,000 deficit and it has stopped recruiting undergraduates.

While some have asked if Heythrop could seek a deal from an institution within the University of London or elsewhere, I can report that these options have been explored and there are no takers.

It has become increasingly clear that the choice for Heythrop is between a deal with St Mary’s or closure. This was told to Heythrop students by their student union leadership at a meeting in March. The students had opposed a partnership with St Mary’s – even staging an overnight sit-in the student library – but in a recent referendum they voted in favour of a deal.

For St Mary’s part, the university needs to be sure that any merger can be financially viable. It has conducted due diligence and invested significant time and capital into making sure a partnership is possible.

Mr Campbell, a former British Ambassador to the Holy See, used diplomatic language to say the St Mary’s is taking “prudent” steps forward with the discussions. It also clear that he is keen to embrace the opportunities that a deal could bring to higher education, the Church and wider society.

Let’s hope no one gets jilted at the altar.

Christopher Lamb is The Tablet's Assistant Editor (Home News)