Overview for International Students
London South Bank University is centrally located in the heart of London, offering students both city-life advantages and practical, vocationally-oriented study programmes. With a campus at Elephant & Castle and a clear focus on applied education, LSBU blends industry connections, work-based opportunities and a diverse student body. As your agency advising dream university choices, we’d highlight LSBU’s strong employability focus, modern facilities and location in one of the world’s leading cities. Many courses integrate placements, apprenticeships and professional accreditation, making LSBU well suited for students seeking hands-on learning and direct links to employers. The university also emphasizes social inclusion, supporting students from a range of backgrounds and offering a gateway into London’s vibrant professional sectors. For international applicants, the central London setting combined with support services and career-oriented programmes make LSBU an attractive option — especially for those prioritising practical outcomes and city-based opportunities.
Courses
| Course Name | Tuition Fee | Scholarship | Intake | IELTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LLM LEGAL PRACTICE LLM | £16,000 | September 2026 | 6.5/5.5 |
History
LSBU’s history begins in 1892 when the Borough Polytechnic Institute opened its doors to provide technical and vocational education for the local community. Over the 20th century the institution evolved to meet changing educational and industrial demands, expanding its subject offerings beyond trade and engineering into health, business, arts and social sciences. In 1992, it achieved full university status under the Further and Higher Education Act. In the 2000s it adopted the current name “London South Bank University” and invested in modern campus redevelopment, new facilities and a distinct identity as a practical, career-focused institution. The institution’s legacy of applied education and urban engagement still shapes its mission today: transforming lives, communities and businesses through applied learning and insight.
Ranking
The ranking profile for LSBU reflects its strengths and its particular positioning. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 it falls in the 601–800 band globally, which places it among many universities with solid but not elite research intensity. The QS ranking for 2026 places it approximately #901-950 in the world. These numbers signal that while LSBU may not compete with large, research-intensive institutions for academic prestige, it performs strongly in other areas: employability, industry relevance, student experience and social impact. Notably, LSBU is ranked very highly in global Impact Rankings: for example, it was ranked 3rd in the world for reducing inequalities in the 2024 Impact Rankings. For students seeking a university that emphasises real-world outcomes, inclusive access and location in London, LSBU offers tangible value rather than pure academic prestige. As an agency, the advice would be: view the ranking numbers as one part of the story; for LSBU the strength lies in industry links, applied learning and city-based opportunity rather than top-10 global research status.
