LSBU banner

LSBU launches new partnership with IPSE

London South Bank University is joining IPSE to extend its support to students looking to become freelancers within the arts and creative industries
16 March 2017

Becoming a University Partner of IPSE: The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed, provides London South Bank University (LSBU) with exciting opportunities to further develop and grow the provision of support to those students and graduates wishing to develop their careers as freelancers. The partnership will specifically focus on students within the School of Arts and Creative Industries (ACI).

IPSE currently acts as the voice for 2 million independent professionals, including contractors and freelancers, to ensure representation to Government. The membership body also provides members with legal and business advice.

Speaking about the new partnership, Linsey Cole, Head of LSBU’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute, said:

“It’s great to be partnering with IPSE to further increase our provision of enterprising activity to students who are looking to work for themselves. With more and more people choosing to become self-employed, it’s important we give our students support so that they’re ready to embrace the associated benefits and challenges. Becoming a member of IPSE will create lots more opportunities for LSBU students interested in working in the arts and creative industries.”

LSBU’s support for our entrepreneurial and enterprising students, graduates, staff and local community earned us the Entrepreneurial University of the Year Award at the 2016 Times Higher Education Awards. Both within and outside of the curriculum, LSBU has successfully engaged academics and local businesses with the University’s enterprising activity.

Our provision of support for freelancers, including the Make It Happen Competition, 1-2-1 support, mentoring and funding will continue to grow so that we can support more students and graduates who are looking to use their skills to provide services to others.

Lydia Wakefield, IPSE Education and Training Manager, will be leading a launch workshop on 29th March for students within ACI, giving them an introduction to freelancing and self-employment.

She said: “We are delighted to have LSBU join as an IPSE University Partner. Their status as Entrepreneurial University of the Year 2016 demonstrates their ongoing commitment to supporting students looking to work for themselves.

“Our members frequently tell us how they wish they’d had self-employment support from their university, so LSBU is a prime example of how entrepreneurial support can, and does, make a difference. We look forward to working with LSBU, in particular their School of Arts and Creative Industries, to support students pursuing freelance careers.”

Find out more about our Student Enterprise activities.