Somewhere in a WhatsApp group chat right now, a sixth former is typing “does anyone actually know the acceptance rate???” and getting three conflicting answers back. The issue with City’s acceptance rate is that it moves through internet forums and Reddit posts, picking up outrageous variations depending on how far away it gets from its origin. However, the actual situation is far less cluttered. As of 2024, City has been operating as City St George’s University of London due to the merger with the medical school, which has somewhat changed parts of the admissions landscape even if most students still look for information under the older name.
In order to remove the group chat confusion about the City University of London acceptance rate, let’s see what it is in reality.
Overview of City University of London
Established in 1894, City, University of London has created an image as an institution focused on practice and linked to the finance, law, and business fields of London. For a long time, it has had triple accreditation for its Business School and is known as one of the most career-oriented universities in the UK.
In 2024, City joined St George’s, University of London, the most prominent specialist medical and health sciences institution in the UK, creating City St George’s, University of London. This combination has enlarged the number of programs offered by the university, which now includes medicine, nursing, and healthcare, along with traditional programs in business, law, journalism, and engineering.
The university has campuses throughout London, but primarily in Clerkenwell/Islington (the old City campus) and Tooting (the former St George’s campus for medical studies). This larger scope and larger number of programs have made the work of the department of admissions even more challenging.
What Is the City University of London Acceptance Rate?
There isn’t a constant acceptance rate for City University of London that can be put forward. The overall acceptance rate for City University of London (recently merged to become City St George’s, University of London) is estimated between 50% and 61.5%. However, it is worth knowing that acceptance rates differ from one course to another, as well as according to academic level and the pool of applicants each year, so do not take any numbers you come across on the internet for granted.
Nevertheless, City St George’s is usually viewed as a relatively selective university, less selective compared to UCL or Imperial College London, but competitive enough to offer popular courses. The courses in such fields as business, law, and journalism are usually applied for by many more people than there are spots, thus reducing the actual acceptance rate of City University of London.
Competitive courses – especially those in medicine and health science due to the merging with St George’s – have stricter admission rates than those of the average in the university. As the data tends to change from year to year and may not be provided in the form you are looking for, take any percentage you may find as approximate.
City University of London Acceptance Rate by Program (Undergraduate vs Postgraduate)
Admission patterns vary substantially when it comes to undergraduate versus postgraduate admission and that impacts the City University London admission criteria you will have to satisfy.
Undergraduate admissions:
- Processed centrally via UCAS
- Have a generally higher acceptance rate compared to postgraduate courses
- Business, Law, and Journalism are the most competitive undergraduate options
- Medicine (through the former St George’s site) is the most competitive undergraduate route
Postgraduate admissions:
- Are made directly by the university and not UCAS
- Depend largely on the undergraduate degree class, work experience, and the number of places available in the course
- MBA and specialized master’s degree courses, especially from the Business School are relatively more selective
Given that the two different sets of applications are evaluated in a completely different way, one cannot make use of a single City University London acceptance rate across all programs.
Factors That Affect the City University of London Acceptance Rate
Several factors impact the level of selectivity of a particular intake, and they can give you an idea of how difficult it is to get into City University of London in your particular case:
- Academic grades: Predicted or actual A-level grades (or equivalent) constitute the first filter, together with GPA/IB scores for international candidates
- Personal statement: An impressive and focused personal statement can considerably compensate for the weaknesses in one’s academic record
- Program competitiveness: Business, law, journalism, and medical studies have traditionally attracted many more applicants than there were places to accept
- International vs. domestic quotas: International candidate pools are considered separately, and international interest in City University of London can affect the acceptance rate of the university for foreign applicants in either direction
- References and extracurriculars: They matter less than academics, but can make a difference in borderline cases
Popular Student Accommodation Near City University of London Campus
After you understand the City University London application requirements, you should consider the place where you will be staying. The university has its primary campus located near several popular student accommodation near city University of London, each with its own character:
Attending City University of London implies residing in one of the most expensive cities in the world, which is why budgeting becomes crucial. The average monthly expenses range from £1,300 to £2,000 for cost of living in London.
Find verified student accommodation near City University London and book your ideal room with University Living today!
Tips to Improve Your Chances of Admission to City University of London
- If possible, exceed minimum grade requirements because some courses admit students above minimum grades
- Personal statements should be customized to the particular course selected, not a generic one
- Submit applications earlier rather than later in the UCAS cycle, particularly for popular courses
- List job or work experience, including internships, volunteer jobs, or course work directly related to the subject matter or course.
- As an international student, it is important to have fulfilled English language requirements well in advance to avoid delays in processing the application.
- Make sure to check individual courses as City University has different acceptance rates depending on departments.
The Catch
Go back to that group chat, and here’s what you’d actually want to tell them: the City University of London acceptance rate was never the real gatekeeper. Grades, a sharp personal statement, a well-timed application, and even practical considerations like finding suitable student accommodation London do far more heavy lifting when it comes to preparing for university than any single percentage ever could. Treat the number as a weather forecast, not a locked door, but useful for planning, not for predicting your fate. When you’re ready for the real figures, skip the forums and go straight to the official City St George’s admissions page or UCAS, or get an advisor on the phone before you hit submit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the City University of London acceptance rate?
A1. The City University of London acceptance rate does not exist because City University of London has changed its name to City St George’s University of London. The selectivity of admission depends on various factors including the chosen course and level of study, with highly competitive subjects like medicine, law, business, and journalism having higher numbers of candidates applying for their courses.
Q2. How difficult is it to get admitted to City University of London?
A2. The City St George’s University is moderately selective. However, getting into the university will depend on the selected course and meeting the set requirements.
Q3. Is the City University of London acceptance rate different per course?
A3. Yes. This is because admission is likely to be very selective in cases where there is high number of applicants and few spaces.
Q4. What are the entry requirements of City University of London?
A4. The entry requirements vary from one course to another based on the applicant’s academic credentials. Undergraduate candidates apply via UCAS whereas graduate programs are mostly applied for directly to the university. There could be some additional requirements for international students like proficiency in English language.
Q5. How do I get accommodation for students near City University of London?
A5. There are several options available for students to find accommodation near City University of London including iQ Sterling Court, Arbour House, and Student Living Heights from University Living.
