Integrating quality assurance systems in a merged higher education institution

PurposeThis article seeks to highlight the challenges and issues that face merging higher education institutions and also to outline some of the challenges in integrating the quality assurance systems during the pre‐, interim and post‐merger phases in a merged university.Design/methodology/approachCase studies of merged and merging institutions were critiqued to compare the similarities and differences. A range of issues experienced by two universities that recently merged in South Africa is explored.FindingsIt is clear that merging institutions is a thorny issue, and cannot be resolved quickly. The merging of institutions brings with it a whole host of challenges. The current literature review has found that merging higher education institutions globally is invariably unpredictable, as the institutions experience multifaceted complexities.Practical implicationsThe lessons learned from this newly merged university can be a very useful resource and guide to those in leadership positions.Originality/valueThis article contributes to the current pool of information and offers practical guidance and assistance to institutions that have merged or are in the process of merging.