From one York to another! Two York Colleges form transatlantic partnership

York College of Pennsylvania has announced a groundbreaking international partnership with York College & University Centre in Yorkshire, England. This collaboration, aptly described as a connection "from one York to another," establishes a transatlantic educational alliance that will enhance opportunities for students and faculty across both institutions.

The partnership was formally established through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Dr. Thomas Burns, President of York College of Pennsylvania, and Dr. Ken Merry, Principal and Chief Executive of York College & University Centre. Dr. Burns traveled to Yorkshire to tour the campus, finalize the agreement, and lay the foundation for this international initiative. Following his visit, Dr. Merry accepted an invitation to visit the Pennsylvania campus, further strengthening the collaboration by exploring each institution’s educational offerings and teaching practices firsthand.

The idea for this partnership originated in June when Dr. Merry reached out to Dr. Burns. Recognizing the potential of this collaboration, Dr. Burns quickly embraced the opportunity. While the two institutions share a name, they also share deep history—York College of Pennsylvania dates back to 1787, while York College & University Centre is approaching its 200th anniversary in two years.

“While some of our most established programs are in high demand, we take pride in being an all-service college with opportunities across the board,” said Dr. Burns. “This could easily be seen as a lovely gimmick – York College partnering with York College – but it’s going to be much more substantial than that, because that’s what we’re interested in doing.”

Dr. Merry echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the alignment between the institutions’ coursework and the enthusiasm shared by faculty and staff. “We have spoken extensively about how we could organize exchange programs that will allow our students to experience life in

Pennsylvania and vice versa, benefiting from different cultural experiences,” he said. “It is also exciting to see the potential for our students to visit world-famous cities near York, Pennsylvania, such as New York City, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. This would add to the richness of their visit and provide cultural experiences they might not otherwise have.”

The partnership is already taking shape, with students from Pennsylvania expected to study in Yorkshire as early as this academic year. UK students may begin arriving in Pennsylvania as soon as the 2025-26 academic year, pending funding, with Dr. Merry expressing full commitment to making the exchange a reality.

The Memorandum of Understanding emphasizes the mutual benefits of this partnership, stating that the agreement “should be mutually beneficial and promote the global opportunities for the communities of York (Pennsylvania or Yorkshire) that are available in the 21st century.”

With this strong foundation, both institutions look forward to fostering a long-term relationship that will enrich students’ educational journeys and create lasting international ties.

For more information about York College & University Centre, visit its website. For more information on York College of Pennsylvania visit our website.

Established in 1787, York College of Pennsylvania is a private, four-year college located in the city of York, a hub of arts and industry between Baltimore and Philadelphia. Housed on 190 picturesque acres, the College is known for its focus on experiential learning and community engagement, serving over 3,500 undergraduate and graduate students in more than 70 baccalaureate majors, along with 30+ professional graduate degree and certificate programs. Deeply rooted in the liberal arts and recognized for excellence in its professional business, education, engineering, and nursing programs, York is ranked among the nation’s Best Value Schools by Niche. The College’s robust recreation and athletics program is among the best in the region and is home to 24 NCAA Division lll sports teams and 30+ intramural sports. A Princeton Review Best Northeastern College, York prides itself on its experienced, engaged faculty, its high-impact and student-centric philosophy, and its long-standing commitment to affordability and accessibility.