University Archives Centre

Borough Polytechnic Institute prospectusBorough Polytechnic Institute prospectus, 1892.
(Photograph by Greg Hartley, student on BA Digital Photography, 2010)

The University Archives Centre collects and makes accessible the institutional archives of London South Bank University (LSBU) and its amalgamated institutions.  We hold material tracing LSBU's history from its foundation as the Borough Polytechnic Institute in 1892 to the present day.

A history of the University and a timeline of events can be found on the History of LSBU webpage. Images showing the development of the University's Southwark campus and its satellite campuses and halls of residence over more than a century can be found on historypin.

Supporting Student Studies

The University Archives Centre is open to all LSBU students as well as staff and external researchers. Our records can be used to support your studies.

To help you locate relevant records we have produced a series of course and research related guides, which you can download from the student portal My LSBU.

For general information on accessing our archive records download A guide to using Archives (PDF 256KB).

Search our Catalogue

Please see our Online Catalogue for detailed descriptions of our collections, which include records from:

  • London South Bank University
  • Battersea College of Education
  • Brixton School of Building
  • City of Westminster College
  • David Singmaster
  • Greater London Area War Risk Study (GLAWARS)
  • Local Endowed Charities
  • National College for Heating, Ventilating, Refrigeration & Fan Engineering
  • Rachel McMillan College of Education
  • Redwood College of Health Studies
  • South London Polytechnic Institutes
  • South West London College

Using our collections

Our Access Procedures (PDF 79KB - opens in a new window) explain how to access the archives and how enquiries are handled. To view the Archives you will need to book an appointment and on arrival you will be requested to fill out a reader’s registration form.

Donating to the archives

The University Archives Centre proactively collects material to enhance its holdings and welcomes relevant donations from outside sources. If you have anything you wish to donate please contact us.

Please see our Collection and Disposal Procedures (MSWord 80KB - Opens in new window) for further details on the material we collect.

Enquiries

Pupils at work in the Engineering ShopPupils at work in the Engineering Shop, c1900.

We are happy to answer enquiries on the history of the University and the items we hold, however we are unable to carry out extensive research.
Further information on how staff can transfer archives or use the collections is available on the Staff Gateway.

Your student record

If you studied at LSBU or one of our amalgamated institutions and would like a copy of your transcript you can find out how to do so on our student portal, My LSBU.

If you would like to access any other personal data held on you by the University, please see the University’s Data Protection webpage.

Contact us

University Archives Officer
University Archives Centre
103 Borough Road
Southwark
London
SE1 0AA

Tel: 020 7815 6047
Email: archives@lsbu.ac.uk

Useful links