In this concerning time, we understand that you’ll have questions about applying to study at LSBU, or an existing offer you’ve got with us. We’ve got your back and are here to support you every step of the way, as we look forward to welcoming you in #teamLSBU in September for the start of the academic year.
You’re not alone in having questions, so we’ve pulled together the answers to the key questions you might have.
We’re all in this together and the situation is changing all the time, so we’ll update this page regularly as more information becomes available. If we can help you with anything, please do get in touch using the details at the bottom of this page.
Plans for semester one
The safety and wellbeing of our students is our top priority, and for that reason, we have taken the decision to deliver our lectures online in semester one. Depending on advice from the UK Government, and where we think it’s safe to do so, we plan to enhance this remote delivery with some on-campus provision.
This blended learning approach is based on an expectation that there will be some face-to-face provision for all students, but only in an environment where we can ensure your safety through social distancing. Where courses use specialist facilities for group, practical or technical work, we will seek to prioritise access to the campus for these activities and schedule them in line with the guidance available.
What this means for September:
- The University campus will be open for the start of term, delivering our programmes with a safe, socially distanced approach
- Large lectures will be delivered online, whilst seminars, practical sessions and teaching requiring specialist facilities will be available on campus, with social distancing measures in place
- Our library and learning resources centre will be open and accessible for students, as will our study spaces
- Our halls of residence will be open before the start of term with a period of free accommodation for incoming international students who may be required to quarantine
- A comprehensive package of support will be available for all students combining on-line and on-campus activities; including study skills, advice and guidance, wellbeing, disability access, employability services and more
- We are here to support students who have specific needs and challenges including help with technical kit and resources, or have specific health and safety concerns
As this is an ever-evolving situation, we’ll keep you updated on our plans over the coming months.
Undergraduate applicants (including apprentices)
We’re still welcoming applications to LSBU for September 2020 for all our courses. We understand that the recent closure of schools and colleges is a stressful time for students who have yet to sit their exams (such as A-levels and BTEC). Rest assured that we’re continually reviewing the advice from the Government, exam bodies and UCAS around exam cancellations, and follow government guidance on how qualifications will be awarded this summer. We will continue to accept applications, make offers, and will confirm results based on the qualifications awarded to you through your exam board. Please see here for the latest information from UCAS and Universities UK.
For those students taking vocational and technical qualifications, we are continuing to monitor the situation as the Government, awarding organisations and other regulators in the sector finalise an awarding and grading approach. Please see the latest information from Ofqual.
https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/study/study-at-lsbu/information-for-applicants-and-offer-holders-for-year-2020We’re continuing to process applications and make decisions on applicants who already hold all their qualifications. Due to the continually changing situation, there may be a small delay in making decisions, but we aim to get back to all applicants as soon as possible.
- All applications are given equal consideration, no matter where you are from
- We continue to keep applications open for September 2020, with the intention to start the semester on schedule.
Undergraduate offer holders (including apprentices)
If you have already received your offer from LSBU earlier in the cycle – congratulations! Please be assured that your offer to study with us still stands, and whilst the situation in relation to Coronavirus is continually evolving, we’re still preparing for the semester to start in late-September 2020. If these timings change, we'll get in touch with you directly, as soon as we have more information.
We understand that for those of you who have had exams cancelled, this is a difficult time. At LSBU, we’re continually reviewing the advice from the Government, exam bodies and UCAS around exam cancellations, and unless government advice differs, our plan is to use predicted student grades to determine if course entry criteria have been met. Please see here for the latest information from UCAS and Universities UK.
We encourage all offer holders who intend to seek funding for September 2020 to make applications to their relevant funding bodies as normal. For further details, please see our Fees and funding page. Postgraduate applicants (including apprentices)
We’re continuing to process applications and make decisions for all our postgraduate applicants.
Due to the continually changing situation, there may be a small delay in making decisions.
- All applications are given equal consideration, no matter where you are from
- We continue to keep applications open for September 2020, with the intention to start the semester on schedule.
If you’re currently in the final year of your undergraduate studies and applying for a postgraduate course starting in September 2020, please note that we’re working hard with sector partners and examination bodies (where relevant) to put processes in place to support your application. Currently, we are unable to say for certain how this might impact your application.
Postgraduate offer holders (including apprentices)
Your offer to study at LSBU still stands, and although the current situation is continually evolving, we intend to start teaching on schedule in September 2020. If any details change, we'll get in touch with you directly, as soon as we have more information.
International applicants
The International Admissions Team is welcoming and processing applications as usual. We encourage all potential students to submit an application.
In light of COVID-19, we are currently reviewing the application deadlines. We will post the information in the How To Apply section shortly. We will also send an email to all our prospective students and offer holders.
We are aware that many applicants are facing difficulties in meeting their offer conditions due to the closure of test centres for IELTS, TOEFL and many other English language exams as a result of COVID-19.
Because of this, LSBU will be accepting a number of other English tests for entry to undergraduate and postgraduate courses for September 2020 entry. Find out more.
We will be sympathetic to you and your individual circumstances, but our main priority is that we are making offers to applicants that we are satisfied will be able to succeed on their studies.
Subject to course availability, we will endeavour to defer your place to January 2021. If your course is not available, we would then defer your place to September 2021.
We'll continue to give equal consideration to all applications regardless of where you are from, or where you live. We are currently reviewing the impact Covid-19 is having on assessments, exams and final grades on a country by country basis and will update applicants as and when we can.
T4 Student Visas and Pre-CAS process
The pre-CAs process will be running as usual. If you have accepted your offer, you should proceed to make the deposit payments as indicated in your offer letter.
At present, the Home Office has not issued any statements in regards to this situation. We are monitoring the situation closely and we will contact all our applicants as soon as we get an update from the UKVI.
Finance
Yes, funding from Student Finance England is available for the academic year 2020/21, including the January 2021 intake
We will be processing refund requests in accordance with the terms and conditions stated in your offer letter. Due to the current exceptional circumstances, we are reviewing our deposit refund terms and conditions to be clearer and more specific. We will notify all the offer holders when the terms and conditions are updated.
Interview information
If you have applied for a course which requires an interview, please be assured that we’ve put processes in place to either meet you virtually, or for you to submit portfolios for us to review.
See more information by subject or school:
Architecture
You will be sent a request to upload your portfolio via WIX.com. Instructions for the content of your portfolio and how to upload it will follow once you have submitted your application. The academic may call to discuss your portfolio further if required.
Arts & Creative Industries courses
You will take part in a digital interview. You will receive further information once your application has been received.
Drama & Performance/ Applied Theatre: you will be invited to share a video monologue and we will conduct a digital interview. You will receive further information once your application has been received.
Baking courses
You will be sent a request to upload your portfolio via WIX.com. Instructions for the content of your portfolio and how to upload it will follow once you have submitted your application.
Education Degrees (not PGCE)
We will ask you to complete a written task and our Admissions Officer will be in touch with complete instructions of what you will need to do.
Engineering (Product Design and Engineering Product Design)
We will be conducting interviews via Skype. The Admissions Tutor will get in touch with you directly to arrange a time.
Health and Social Care courses
We will be conducting interviews via Skype, Zoom or telephone. One of our team will be in touch with more information on the interview and how you will need to prepare.
PGCE
We will be conducting interviews via Skype. One of the Admissions Team will be in touch with more information on the interview and how you will need to prepare.
Accommodation
We understand in these uncertain times you might have concerns. Our team of professionals that manage the halls have your health, safety and wellbeing at the heart of what they do.
We continue to take applications for accommodation on campus, and students who secure accommodation will be able to move in normally in September. Find out more about our accommodation, our allocation policy, and how to apply.
Visiting the Campus
Following government guidelines on social distancing, we have paused our campus tours and offer holder days. In the meantime, you can explore our central London campus and dedicated facilities on a virtual tour.
We have also closed our physical Admissions drop-in service for the time being. However, the Admissions Team are still on hand to support you through your application or answer any questions you may have around your offer or starting at LSBU.
Get in touch
If you’re interested in applying to study at LSBU, our dedicated Course Enquiries team will be able to help:
Email: course.enquiry@lsbu.ac.uk
Online: enquiry form
Call us: 0800 923 8888
If you’ve already applied to study at LSBU, our Admissions Team will be able to answer questions on your application and offer:
Email: admissions@lsbu.ac.uk
Call us: 0800 923 8888
Click here to start a live chat with us (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)