When the University of London was established in 1836, King’s became one of its two founding colleges. Over time, it has grown and developed through many mergers, including those with Chelsea and Queen Elizabeth Colleges in 1985, with the Institute of Psychiatry in 1997 and with the United Medical and Dental Schools of Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals in 1998. These mergers brought institutions with their own distinguished reputations and traditions. The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience is closely associated with the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, which includes the famous Bethlem Hospital dating from the 13th century. Medicine has been formally taught at St Thomas’ Hospital since the 16th century and at Guy’s since the early 18th century. The Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care descends directly from the world’s first professional school of nursing, founded by Florence Nightingale in 1860. King’s has enjoyed financial and academic autonomy since 1994, while remaining part of the University of London. Since 2008, it has awarded its own degrees.