The two towns have both expressed an interest in the Government's New University Challenge, which was launched earlier this year.
The Government wants to build 20 new higher education centres over the next six years across the country.
Univers
ities Secretary John Denham said: "In these challenging economic times never have universities and colleges been more important to education, economic development, regeneration and the cultural life of our rural areas, towns and cities.
"It is my ambition to build on the successes of the last few years which have seen new centres of higher education transforming local economies and the lives of local people.
"I am delighted that HEFCE has received 27 expressions of interest and it is not too late for other areas wanting to take advantage of the benefits higher education brings to register their interest."
Ministers say that high quality higher education centres can open up the chance of higher education to more young people and adults who previously may never have thought about a degree while helping drive local economic and social regeneration.
Economists estimate that every extra job a university creates is matched by another elsewhere in the economy.
The HEFCE for England will consult on the criteria by which any formal bids for new higher education centres should be assessed and will publish proposals in the New Year.
It will then work with towns on how to take the proposals forward before deciding which should be funded.
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