City, University of London and St George’s, University of London, officially merge 

The merger between City, University of London and St George’s, University of London, has formally taken place.

The universities joined forces as of 1 August, creating a new institution named City St George’s, University of London.

The merger means the new university is set to become one of the most significant healthcare suppliers in the capital.

It will also be one of the biggest higher education institutions in London, with more than 25,000 students.

City St George’s, University of London is being described as “a powerful multi-faculty institution with a distinctive focus on professional education and research at the frontier of practice.”

It brings City, University of London courses, including optometry, nursing, psychology and midwifery, together with St George’s, University of London, courses in medicine, radiotherapy and physiotherapy, amongst others.

It is hoped that the combined expertise of both universities will create a ‘health powerhouse’ for students, researchers, and the NHS.

An interdisciplinary future

The former St George’s, University of London, brings with it a large network of NHS partners, including major London hospitals.

It is based at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, South London.

It is hoped that interdisciplinary working between departments at the new City St George’s, University of London, including business, law, communications, policy and global affairs, and science and technology, will create opportunities to “generate significant change in the world of healthcare.”

Research areas could include treatment, population health monitoring, workforce development and leadership, and policy and advocacy, it is suggested.

The new university began operating from 1 August, led by Professor Sir Anthony Finkelstein.

Finkelstein was previously President of City, University of London, and was also a chief scientific adviser to the government until 2021.

Finkelstein said: “City St George’s is uniquely positioned to influence population health outcomes and shape the strategic health workforce at a national and global level through integrated professional education and translation-oriented research programmes with interdisciplinary opportunities.

“City St George’s will play a key role in resolving one of the greatest societal issues of the day – training and developing the workers and leaders for the NHS and healthcare professions that are so desperately needed. We will be the best place to be a clinical educator and researcher.”

Speaking about the merger, he added: “While full integration – including combined branding – will take some time, we are looking forward to working together as one institution across our campuses in Clerkenwell, Moorgate and Tooting.

“I am looking forward to leading City St George’s and to working with the remarkable and talented staff, students, and alumni of our combined institution.”

Professor Ian Jacobs, an academic, medical doctor and chair of the City St George’s Council, said: “The merger of two outstanding universities, each with a rich history, to create City St George’s will bring benefits to our students, our staff and the higher education sector in the UK.

“The merger is timely given the pressures faced by our universities and the NHS. It will create exciting opportunities, through linking existing strengths in medicine and health to expertise across the academic spectrum from business, law, science and engineering, to policy, communication and the arts. These interactions will generate educational and research benefits, as well as advantages of scale, which will enable City St George’s to have a major impact on society, not least in healthcare.”

He added: “My congratulations to everyone involved in making this visionary merger happen. I look forward to working with the City St George’s community and our partners to ensure that the full potential of the new university is realised.”

The merger between the two universities was announced in February 2024.