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We were surprised to read in the article on further education and higher education mergers that no higher education exists in Ripon in North Yorkshire ("Do you take this college to be your lawful...", THES, May 23).

In fact the University of Ripon and York St John has been providing higher education in Ripon since 1861.

We have about 900 undergraduate students there, on interdisciplinary humanities and qualified teacher status degree programmes, including subject areas such as communication arts, English, cultural studies and European studies.

We also offer postgraduate and professional development programmes at Ripon. Degrees are awarded by the University of Leeds.

We signed a memorandum of cooperation with Harrogate College in 1994, paving the way for a number of joint initiatives. Many of their students progress to degree programmes with us and one of Harrogate College's access courses is based on our Ripon campus.

Robin Butlin, Principal, University College of Ripon and York St John