London South Bank University
A former Victorian polytechnic in Elephant and Castle that still teaches applied, professional degrees from nursing to baking.
- Students
- 14,425
- International
- 40%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 15.9:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- £16,440
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1892
About LSBU
London South Bank University opened in 1892 as the Borough Polytechnic Institute in Southwark, became a university in 1992 and took its current name in 2003. Its main campus sits at Elephant and Castle, a short walk from the Thames, with a second campus in central Croydon focused on health courses. LSBU is part of the LSBU Group, which also includes South Bank Colleges, London South Bank Technical College and South Bank University Academy, so students can move from school or college into degree study within one organisation.
Teaching is organised into three colleges: Health and Life Sciences (nursing, midwifery and allied health), Technology and Environment (architecture, construction, engineering and computing) and Society and Professions (the Business School plus law, arts and education). Many degrees are accredited by professional bodies, such as RIBA Part 1 for Architecture and IMechE for Mechanical Engineering, and the university leans hard on employability: according to the 2026 LEO data, its graduates earn a median of £31,500 one year after graduating, the highest among London modern universities.
LSBU suits students who want a practical, career-focused degree in central London without top-tier grade requirements: most courses ask for around 96 to 120 UCAS points. It also has unusual specialisms, including a Baking Science and Technology degree whose roots go back to the National School of Bakery and Confectionery, opened at the polytechnic in 1894.
Why students choose LSBU
LSBU graduates have the highest median earnings among London modern universities, with £31,500 one year after graduation (LEO data reported by LSBU, June 2026).
Degrees carry professional recognition, such as RIBA and ARB validation for Architecture and IMechE accreditation for Mechanical Engineering.
Its two halls of residence in Elephant and Castle are within a ten-minute walk of the Southwark campus, with bills and gym access included in the rent.
Typical offers are accessible, for example 112 UCAS points for Computer Science and Architecture, with previous experience also considered if you fall short.
Admissions
2027 entry
Selectivity
LSBU does not publish an overall offer rate. Most undergraduate courses ask for 96 to 120 UCAS tariff points, and admissions tutors also consider skills and experience gained outside education.
Typical entry requirements
| UCAS tariff (A-levels, BTEC and equivalents) | Course-specific for 2027 entry, e.g. 112 points for Computer Science and Architecture, 112-120 for Mechanical Engineering, 96-112 for Baking Science and Technology |
|---|---|
| GCSEs | Five GCSE passes at grade C/4 or above including English and Maths (Functional Skills Level 2 accepted) |
| International qualifications | Accepted country by country; see LSBU's country pages. The Vice-Chancellor's International Merit Award treats roughly 75% in school-leaving certificates as equivalent to AAB at A-level |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 80 Undergraduate: IELTS Academic 6.0 with no component below 5.5, or TOEFL iBT 80 (Reading 18, Listening 17, Writing 17, Speaking 20), or PTE Academic 59 in each skill. |
Deadlines
- UCAS equal consideration deadline Non-binding Next deadline · In ~3 months13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
For home applicants to full-time courses.
- UCAS final deadline for applications Non-binding In ~9 months30 June 2027
Applications after this date go through Clearing.
- International direct application (September 2027) Non-bindingRegion-specific, to be confirmed
LSBU lists 2027 application, deposit and CAS deadlines by region; they were still marked TBC in September 2026.
UCAS dates are the 2027-entry deadlines. LSBU's international deadlines for 2027 intakes vary by region and were not yet published when checked.
How to apply
Home students apply through UCAS (e.g. Computer Science code G400). International students apply directly to LSBU through its online application form, with region-specific application, deposit and CAS deadlines. Some part-time courses are applied for directly.
What admissions looks for
- Evidence of motivation and commitment, alongside aptitude and potential.
- A good grounding in maths, communication and IT.
- Knowledge of and interest in the subject you are applying to.
- Relevant skills, knowledge or experience gained outside formal education, which can count if you do not meet the standard entry criteria.
Tips for applying to LSBU
- 1 Check each course page's Entry Requirements tab: LSBU sets UCAS points per course, and some courses need specific GCSEs such as Maths at grade 4.
- 2 For Nursing, you may skip the MS Teams interview if your UCAS application shows at least six months of clinical experience, so describe it clearly.
- 3 International applicants should pay the £2,000 deposit within four weeks of meeting offer conditions to qualify for the Global Success Scholarship.
- 4 If you have AAB-equivalent grades, you may qualify for the £2,000-a-year Vice-Chancellor's International Merit Award.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in GBP
Home students can borrow their tuition fee and up to £14,135 a year in maintenance loans from Student Finance England (2026/27, London, living away from home). International students can receive the Vice-Chancellor's International Merit Award (£2,000 a year for AAB-equivalent grades) or the Global Success Scholarship (up to £4,000 in the first year), plus the European Impact Scholarship, LSBU Global Partner Scholarship and CEG Progression Award.
- £2,000 per year
- Vice-Chancellor's International Merit Award
- Up to £4,000 (first year)
- Global Success Scholarship
- £14,135
- Maximum maintenance loan, London, away from home (2026/27)
Academics
Adult Nursing (BSc)
Clinical placements with NHS trusts and a community-based pathway with Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust, taught at Southwark or Croydon.
Architecture (BA)
Validated by RIBA and prescribed by the ARB for Part 1, with roots in the Brixton School of Building; 112 UCAS points.
Baking Science and Technology (BSc)
Descended from the National Bakery School opened in 1894; LSBU reports ranking 2nd among London modern universities for Nutrition and Food Science (Guardian University Guide 2027).
Mechanical Engineering (BEng/MEng)
Accredited by IMechE, with a sandwich option; 112-120 UCAS points.
Computer Science (BSc)
Pathways in AI, cyber security and data engineering, with an optional placement year; LSBU reports being 1st among London modern universities for median Computing graduate salary (LEO 2026).
Research
- The Centre for Efficient and Renewable Energy in Buildings (CEREB) is housed in the university's K2 building.
- An LSBU-led index published in September 2026 measures how well universities close the gap for poorer students.
- LSBU reports being ranked 6th in the world for reducing inequalities in the THE Impact Rankings 2025.
Schools & faculties
- College of Health and Life Sciences
- College of Technology and Environment
- College of Society and Professions
- School of Nursing and Midwifery
- School of Allied Health and Life Sciences
- School of Architecture and Planning
- School of Construction, Property and Surveying
- School of Engineering and Design
- School of Computer Science and Digital Technologies
- LSBU Business School
- School of Law, Arts and Education
According to the 2026 LEO data reported by LSBU, graduates earn a median £31,500 one year after graduation, 15th of 176 UK institutions and the highest among London modern universities.
Student life
Life at LSBU centres on the Southwark campus in Elephant and Castle, where The Hub brings together study space, open-access computer rooms, a gym and places to eat. Elephant Studios is the university's media production centre, and the Students' Union runs more than 50 sports clubs and societies. Many students commute from home, but those who move to London can live in LSBU's own halls a few minutes from lectures. Health students may be based at the newer Croydon campus and travel to placements across south London, Surrey and Kent.
- Students' Union with over 50 sports clubs and societies.
- Elephant Studios, a multi-million pound media production facility on campus.
- The Hub: open-access computer rooms, gym and collaborative learning spaces.
- Croydon campus for health and nursing students.
Housing. LSBU has two halls of residence with over 900 single rooms within a ten-minute walk of the Southwark campus, with gas, water, electricity, Wi-Fi and gym access included in the rent.
Location
Elephant and Castle is a busy, fast-changing part of the London Borough of Southwark in Zone 1, close to the South Bank, Waterloo and the City, and much of central London is within walking or cycling distance. Rents are high by UK standards, so LSBU's below-market halls and the higher London maintenance loan rate matter for budgeting.
Nearest airport: London City Airport (LCY); London Heathrow (LHR) for most international flights
Notable alumni
- SD Sir David AdjayeArchitect; BA in architecture from London South Bank University (1990)
- DS Dame Sarah MullallyArchbishop of Canterbury since January 2026 and former Chief Nursing Officer for England; nursing degree from South Bank Polytechnic and later an MSc from LSBU
- SB Sue BlackComputer scientist known for the Saving Bletchley Park campaign; BSc in computing (1993) and PhD from LSBU
- EA Edna Adan IsmailNurse-midwife, founder of the Edna Adan Maternity Hospital and former Foreign Minister of Somaliland; trained at the Borough Polytechnic
- MC Marsha de CordovaMember of Parliament for Battersea since 2017; studied Law and European Policy Studies
- GS Greg SearleOlympic gold medallist rower (Barcelona 1992)
- FA Frank AuerbachPainter; took David Bomberg's art classes at the Borough Polytechnic, 1947-1953 (non-degree study)
Frequently asked questions
What UCAS points do I need for London South Bank University?
It depends on the course: for 2027 entry, Computer Science and Architecture ask for 112 points, Mechanical Engineering 112-120 and Baking Science and Technology 96-112. You also need GCSE English and Maths at grade C/4.
How much are LSBU's fees for international students?
For 2026/27, international undergraduate fees start at £16,440 a year and are £17,880 for Computer Science. Fees rise each year with inflation, and scholarships of £2,000 to £4,000 are available.
What IELTS score does LSBU require?
Undergraduates need IELTS Academic 6.0 with no component below 5.5, or equivalents such as TOEFL iBT 80 or PTE Academic 59.
How do international students apply to LSBU?
International students apply directly through LSBU's online application form rather than UCAS. Application, deposit and CAS deadlines for 2027 depend on your region.
Does LSBU guarantee accommodation?
LSBU does not state a guarantee, but it runs two halls with over 900 single rooms within ten minutes' walk of campus, with bills and gym access included.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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