London South Bank University Profile

London South Bank University (LSBU), located in the heart of London, is one of the largest and most well-regarded universities in the city. As a modern institution that has continually evolved to meet the needs of the contemporary student body, LSBU stands out for its high ranking in graduate salaries, strong emphasis on employability, and its increasingly competitive academic offerings. Though it may not yet enjoy the same level of fame as some of London's older, more prestigious institutions, LSBU has carved out a significant reputation for providing quality education with an excellent return on investment, particularly in terms of graduate employment outcomes and satisfaction.

The university has gained notable attention for its strong focus on employability. For several years running, it has ranked consistently among the top six universities in the UK for graduate starting salaries. According to The Times 2010, LSBU was placed in the top tier of UK universities for this key metric. This is an important achievement as graduate salaries are often seen as a direct reflection of the quality of education and the relevance of a university's programs to the real-world job market. LSBU’s focus on developing skills that are directly applicable to the workforce, along with its close ties to industry and business sectors, has helped ensure that its graduates are well-prepared to enter the job market with competitive salaries. This emphasis on employability is one of the university's strongest selling points, making it a popular choice for students looking to gain meaningful, financially rewarding careers post-graduation.

In terms of overall academic rankings, LSBU does not rank as highly as some of the elite institutions in the UK, but it has maintained a solid standing in national university rankings. According to the Complete University Guide, LSBU was ranked 112th in 2008 and remained around the same position in the following years, occupying the 113th spot in both 2009 and 2010. While these rankings place the university among the mid-tier of UK institutions, LSBU’s focus on professional development, employability, and practical experience stands out in contrast to more traditional universities that may place greater emphasis on research output and academic prestige. Moreover, LSBU's consistent rankings for graduate salaries indicate that it is achieving success in delivering practical value to its students, especially in comparison to institutions that may focus more on academic theory than on real-world application.

The National Student Survey (NSS) for 2009 indicated that 80% of LSBU students were satisfied with the overall quality of their course. This is a commendable result, particularly considering the diverse student population at LSBU, which includes a significant number of mature students, part-time learners, and international students. The high satisfaction rate reflects LSBU's commitment to providing a supportive and engaging learning environment that meets the needs of a wide variety of students. While satisfaction rates can vary across different programs and departments, the overall positive feedback from students highlights the university’s efforts to offer high-quality academic experiences alongside valuable professional and personal development opportunities.

One of LSBU’s notable distinctions is its status as one of the top universities for graduate starting salaries. For four consecutive years, the Sunday Times University Guide ranked LSBU in the top ten for graduate starting salaries, with the university ranking as high as 7th in 2007. This achievement is particularly impressive considering that many of the universities in these rankings are more traditionally prestigious and may have greater financial and academic resources. LSBU's focus on programs with strong industry links, such as business, engineering, and health-related courses, helps ensure that graduates are well-equipped to enter lucrative fields upon completing their studies.

Beyond its impressive employment outcomes, LSBU also excels in certain academic fields. The Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008, which evaluates the quality of research output at UK universities, highlighted LSBU’s strength in several key areas. The university was ranked 68th out of 132 institutions in the RAE 2008, placing it ahead of other modern universities such as Oxford Brookes University, Nottingham Trent University, and the University of Northumbria at Newcastle. Particularly notable were LSBU’s achievements in fields like Social Policy and Engineering. The university was rated as the leading post-1992 institution for research in Social Policy, with 15% of the research graded as “world-leading.” This is a significant achievement for a university that, while relatively young, has developed a strong research culture and is producing valuable, impactful research in areas that are directly relevant to society.

Furthermore, LSBU's General Engineering submission was ranked 16th nationally, with the university placing 3rd among post-1992 institutions. This highlights LSBU’s growing reputation for excellence in technical disciplines, especially engineering, which is an area of increasing importance in the UK’s economy. In addition to its engineering strength, LSBU ranked 6th for Librarianship and Information Management, a reflection of the university’s well-established reputation in these fields. It was also placed 52nd for Hospitality, Leisure, Recreation, Sport and Tourism in the Times Good University Guide 2009, a field in which the university is increasingly gaining recognition for its innovative programs and research.

LSBU’s commitment to sustainability and environmental performance has also garnered positive attention in recent years. In the People and Planet Green League 2009, the university was ranked 38th, improving by 18 places from the previous year. The university received an Upper Second Class (2:1) rating for its environmental performance, which is an achievement considering the growing importance of sustainability in higher education. LSBU was ranked joint 3rd in London for its environmental efforts, alongside prestigious institutions like King’s College London and Queen Mary University of London, surpassing well-known universities like UCL and Imperial College London. This focus on environmental responsibility underscores LSBU’s broader commitment to social responsibility and its role as a forward-thinking, inclusive institution.

LSBU's recognition for excellence in various domains—graduate employment outcomes, research, student satisfaction, and environmental performance—demonstrates the university's growing influence in higher education. While it may not yet rank among the top-tier UK institutions, its emphasis on providing high-quality education that leads directly to career success, combined with its strong performance in key academic fields and sustainability efforts, positions it as a highly attractive option for students in London and beyond. With its robust focus on practical learning and industry connections, LSBU has proven itself to be an important player in the UK higher education landscape, and its increasing national recognition reflects its ongoing growth and development.