University College Falmouth, Dartington - Merger to go ahead in April

The boards of governors of University College Falmouth and Dartington College of Arts have confirmed that the two institutions will merge in April. The controversial merger will mean that Dartington will, despite staff protests, leave its historic home near Totnes in Devon and move to Falmouth in Cornwall. A joint statement by the two institutions said: "The academic vision of the merged institution will focus on the expansion of Falmouth's expertise in art, design and media and Dartington's expertise in choreography, music, theatre, art and writing, in order to create an arts institution that will be unrivalled in the South West." Dartington will relocate to purpose-built accommodation in Falmouth in September 2010.