The University of Greenwich will become the 24^th member of the Alliance, which describes itself as a group of “the most innovative and enterprising universities in the UK – major institutions combining science and technology with a focus on delivering for the professions, business and the community”.

The move follows decisions by Coventry, Glasgow Caledonian, Kingston and Teesside universities to all join the Alliance from Million+ since 2009.

The more recent moves may be evidence of a shift in positioning by some institutions under the new, more marketised fees and funding system.

David Maguire, Greenwich vice-chancellor, said: “Greenwich is an ambitious institution focused on top-class research and business engagement, as well as excellent learning and teaching, so University Alliance is our natural home.

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“This step is an important recognition of Greenwich’s achievements so far in enhancing its reputation as a leading London university.”

Greenwich will join the group on 1 April.

Meanwhile, Alliance chief executive Libby Hackett and chair Steve West travelled to ߣߣ��Ƶ to sign a memorandum of understanding with the ߣߣ��Ƶn Technology Network, which comprises five of the “most innovative and enterprising universities”.

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The link aims to include the development of a UK-ߣߣ��Ƶ higher education policy leaders group; the potential for partnerships in Asia; collaborative work on international student visas; shared examination of student fee and loan models and work on the “integration of student entrepreneurship and internship programmes” into curricula.

On ߣߣ��Ƶ’s funding model, Ms Hackett said there may be “lessons we can learn from them”, noting that the nation had “achieved a demand-led system that is affordable and sustainable to the government”.

She added that in ߣߣ��Ƶ “the idea of a social contract is very well established, between the student and the state, where there is about a 50-50 sharing of cost”.

john.morgan@tsleducation.com