About the SouthWest London Academic Network

Vision

The SouthWest London Academic Network (SWan) links biomedical, life science, health and social care students and researchers with practitioners and employers, to develop the leading professionals of today and the future. Using virtual learning technologies, and innovative research, SWan brings together the energy, ideas and expertise of Kingston University, Royal Holloway, University of London and St George’s, University of London. SWan draws on the complementary strengths of its partners to create new ways of addressing the major social and scientific issues of the day.

Engagement with the Alliance

The SouthWest London Academic Network offers both employers and staff a unique opportunity: to work with a partnership of three premier Higher Education Institutions.

Employers

By engaging with the Alliance employers can access:

  • Internationally recognized, leading edge, collaborative research in a range of subject areas

    • Flexible and ‘fit for purpose’ short course and degree programmes

MSc and PhD student placements, with the potential for employers to provide input into research projects

Professional Learning

SWan also offers work-based learning programmes and consultancy in leadership and management and interprofessional practice.

Staff

SWan is an excellent vehicle for staff at all levels across the three Institutions to engage. Ways in which staff are already collaborating include:

  • Development of new undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes or additional modules to existing programmes
  • Delivering new research collaborations
  • Co-supervising joint SWan PhD studentships
  • Engaging with new learning technologies to support blended learning

If you would like to explore similar opportunities – or suggest other ways in which to collaborate – please contact either the relevant Institute Director or SWan’s Strategic Partnership Programme Manager.

 

Universities

St George's, University of London

St George's, University of London is a dual faculty institution, which dates back over 250 years. It has built a strong reputation for innovation and quality in medical education - the pioneer of vaccination, Edward Jenner, was based at St George’s - and is also recognised globally for the quality of its medical research, particularly in infection, cardiovascular disease, genetics, mental health and epidemiology.

The University is co-located with St George's Hospital in south west London and is the only institution to provide training to a full range of more than 2,600 healthcare and sciences students on one site. As well as providing courses in medicine and biomedical sciences, the college also offers courses in midwifery, nursing, physiotherapy, radiography and social work in conjunction with Kingston University.

Kingston University, London

With four campuses and more than 20,000 students, Kingston University is the largest provider of higher education in south west London, offering an extensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes both in the UK and overseas. The University is renowned for its teaching excellence, has established itself as a growing force in research and is widely respected as a pioneer in e-learning.

Kingston has long-standing links with St George’s, University of London, running a joint Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences. One of the country’s leading providers of health and social care training, the Faculty provides courses in nursing, midwifery, radiography, physiotherapy, social work, paramedic science, biomedical sciences and continuing professional development.

Royal Holloway, University of London

Royal Holloway is one of the UK’s leading teaching and research university institutions, ranked in the top ten for research in the latest Research Assessment Exercise. One of the larger colleges of the University of London, Royal Holloway has a strong profile across the sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities.

The university’s 8,000 students work with internationally renowned scholars in 18 academic departments. Over 20% of students are postgraduates and 22% come from 130 different countries. Widely recognised by its iconic Founder’s Building, Royal Holloway is situated on an extensive parkland campus in Egham, Surrey, only 40 minutes from central London.