University Overview
Founded in 1892 as Borough Polytechnic Institute, LSBU gained university status in 1992 and adopted its current name in 2003. It is a modern public university located in central London, known for its career-focused education, industry partnerships, and strong emphasis on employability. LSBU ranks among the top 10 London modern universities for graduate salaries (LEO 2024). It was named Times Higher Education Entrepreneurial University of the Year 2016. It holds a TEF Silver rating in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework. Recognition also includes 6th globally in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025 for reducing inequalities.
Services for International Students
- Pre‑arrival & Orientation: Dedicated orientation programmes, webinars, and online chats with current international students
- English Language Support: Online pre‑sessional English courses to bolster IELTS, TOEFL or PTE preparations
- Visa & Immigration Guidance: Support through Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS) and visa applications, aligned with UK Home Office requirements
- Accommodation Assistance: Guaranteed first‑year accommodation in Zone 1 for early applicants; guidance on private and shared housing options
- Student Support & Well‑being: Access to Student Life Centre, health and counselling services, faith spaces, disability and financial advice
- Career Services: LSBU’s Careers Hub and CareerSmart programmes provide CV help, internships, workshops, employer links, and enterprise support
Awards and Achievements
- Entrepreneurial University of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards 2016
- Holds a TEF Silver award as of 2023
- Ranking highlights:
- 6th globally in THE Impact Rankings 2025 (reducing inequality)
- Consistently in Guardian Top Modern Universities and ranked in Guardian University Guide 2025 around #59 (jump from #96 in 2023 for film/media)
- Graduate outcomes: top salaries among London modern universities per LEO data, high placement rate (approx. 90 %)
- Academic recognition: REF 2021 results showed 68% of LSBU research rated as ‘world‑leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.
Location
LSBU’s main campus is situated in Elephant & Castle, Southwark, on Borough Road between St George’s Circus and Southwark Bridge Road, very near to the Thames and central London transport hubs like Elephant & Castle tube station & Waterloo Bridge. There is also a satellite campus in Croydon, launched in recent years, and a site at Havering.
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