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Southampton University and Winchester School of Art agreed in this week principle to merge despite speculation that the change could lead to job losses.

The governors of the school, which has just under 1,000 full-time and part-time students and l2l staff, agreed the merger on Friday. The decision was ratified on Tuesday by the senate and council of the university, which has nearly 12,000 full and part-time students and more than 2,700 full-time staff.

Under the agreement, the school of art is to retain its identity and remain in Winchester where it is involved in a Pounds 8 million building programme which is due to be completed in September.