Private equity firm Leeds Equity Partners LLC bought a 25 percent stake of Into University Partnerships Ltd. for £66 million ($105.8 million).

The Brighton, U.K.-based target works with universities to increase student capacity and increase revenue. Since the company’s founding in 2005, Into has developed 16 university partnerships across the U.K., U.S. and Asia. U.S.-based universities that work with Into include Oregon State University, University of South Florida, Colorado State University and Marshall University.

Leeds Equity, headquartered in New York, specializes in acquiring education, training and information services companies.

The deal comes on the heels of a recent surge in education M&A. Private equity firms including Thomas H. Lee Partners LP, Providence Equity Partner, Bain Capital, Apax Partners LLP and the Riverside Co. have each expressed interest in the sector, especially in late 2012. For coverage, see “With Dealmakers, School is Still in Session.”

Financial services industry