Bridging Academics with Impact: What the City-St George’s Merger Means for Students

Learn how the merger between City and St George’s universities could impact student outcomes, rankings, and the future of UK higher education.

~ Te-Lin Hsieh, Finance Analyst at CIH

The Basics: What Is Happening?

On 1 August 2024, City, University of London and St George’s, University of London completed a strategic merger. By March 2025, their health-related faculties will be fully integrated under a new joint institution: City St George’s, University of London.

This merger combines City’s multi-disciplinary academic strengths with St George’s deep expertise in healthcare education and research. For students, this development signals more than a name change. It creates opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, stronger academic outcomes, and enhanced university branding.

Why It Matters Beyond Health Students

Although the merger directly impacts healthcare faculties, the effects will be felt across the wider university. When a university's reputation improves, so do the outcomes for its graduates. Employers often assess candidates not only on their degree, but also on the institution’s overall standing.

This merger could improve City’s ranking in league tables, attract more international students, increase research funding, and boost cross-department innovation. For business and tech students, that could mean stronger support for emerging areas like healthtech, medfin, and data-driven policy.

A Look at Past Successes

While around 50 percent of university mergers struggle or underdeliver, there are standout examples of success. One of the best-known is the 2014 merger between UCL and the Institute of Education (IOE). Since the merger, IOE has remained the world’s top-ranked school for education for over a decade. That partnership has become a case study in how merging institutions with complementary strengths can raise both profile and performance.

City St George’s follows a similar structure: a well-regarded multi-faculty university merging with a niche, high-performing specialist. The precedent suggests the move could yield long-term gains, if well executed.

Looking Ahead: Is Russell Group Status in Sight?

City has long been seen as a strong, practice-focused institution. However, this merger may be a step toward breaking into the Russell Group, a collective of elite research universities in the UK.

Access to stronger research partnerships, higher-calibre faculty recruitment, and better infrastructure could all be unlocked through this merger. While entry into the Russell Group is not guaranteed, City St George’s may now have the scale and ambition to become a serious contender.

The Bottom Line

This merger is not just an administrative update. It is a strategic pivot that could improve academic outcomes, enhance employer recognition, and raise the institution’s national and international standing. Students should stay informed, engaged, and ready to take advantage of new opportunities as they emerge.