Principal's welcome

Principal's welcome

When I came to St George’s as an undergraduate (more years ago than I care to admit!) I was setting out on a career in medicine that has challenged and inspired me throughout my working life. Now that I am heading up the excellent research, teaching and learning on offer here, I can look back on my own student days and see clearly what has changed and what has not.

I have watched the hospital we share our site with evolve into one of the UK’s largest teaching hospitals, with an excellent international reputation. The facilities it and the University house today are some of the nation’s best. The research we undertake has global impact. Partnerships forged with the hospital, other NHS organisations and other universities add depth and breadth to the learning experience on offer. And the exciting teaching methods we employ are some of the most innovative in the world. St George’s, University of London is the UK’s only specialist medical and healthcare institution and we take pride in our unique position.

St George’s remains an extraordinary place where students and staff work closely together to create a convivial and supportive environment. To our students, who are our future, we offer programmes in biomedical science, healthcare science and medicine; and through our partnership with Kingston University, we offer programmes in midwifery, nursing, paramedic science, physiotherapy, radiography and social work. (links to courses) Our student’s prospects remain high with 96 per cent going onto graduate employment or further study within six months of completing their course and the average starting salary of our graduates is £26,500.

We also retain a focus on delivering international education that has developed considerably in recent years. Our partnerships with INTO University Partnerships (link) and the University of Nicosia (link) have gone from strength to strength. And we continue to nurture a well-established, well-run support network for our own international students.

As ever, St George’s is dedicated to research that investigates and develops new, pioneering methods and treatments. This work has positive impact on public health in the local, national and international arena and in some of the poorest regions in the world. We continue to support world-class research in biomedical sciences, cardiovascular sciences, human genetics, infection and immunity, population health, stroke and dementia, (linked) striving for innovation in education and research translated across health and social care.

I consider it a privilege to work in an environment where everyone is dedicated to enhancing people’s health through teaching, research or learning, or by supporting these activities. This dedication is still evident among our alumni who go on to successful careers that genuinely improve people’s lives, and of whom we are immensely proud. In short, the passion and pioneering spirit I found here as an undergraduate are still very much in evidence. I still believe there is no better to place work in healthcare, supporting healthcare education or training for a career in health.

Professor Peter Kopelman
Principal