Support & advice for Higher Education Students
We're here to help you find your feet in the world of construction.
Student Support
Our objective is to enhance your college experience by eliminating obstacles to your learning. To achieve this, we provide comprehensive support in various areas including financial and academic. We are here to support you.
Financial Support
At LCB we understand that pursuing higher education comes with financial concerns. That’s why the college has implemented several loan and grant schemes to help support your transition into higher education.
Examples of these financial support schemes include:
- Tuition Fee loans: For full-time or part-time Higher Technical Qualifications and Higher National Diploma students. These loans cover the fees you are charged every year for your course.
- Maintenance Loans for Living Costs: Full time students can also apply for a maintenance loan to help with living costs and can get it paid into a bank account at the start of each term. The amount you can borrow depends on your family income, where you live, what year of study you are in and what maintenance grant you receive. Part-time students can also obtain a maintenance loan, if course intensity is more than 25%. Course intensity measures how much of a full‑time course you complete each year.
It’s calculated by comparing:
- The number of credits you study with,
- The number of credits a full‑time student would study on the same course.
If you would like to check if you’re eligible for a loan, log in and follow the instructions on the government website – Student finance login – GOV.UK.
For further information, please contact our finance team at finance@lcb.ac.uk
At LCB we understand that pursuing higher education comes with concerns regarding finances. That’s why the college has implemented several loan and grant schemes to help support your transition into higher education.
Examples of these financial support schemes include:
- Tuition Fee loans: For full time or part-time Higher Technical Qualifications and Higher National Diploma students, it covers the fees you are charged every year for your course.
Maintenance Loans for Living Costs: Full time students can also apply for a maintenance loan to help with living costs and can get it paid into a bank account at the start of each term. The amount you can borrow depends on your family income, where you live, what year of study you are in and what you get through the maintenance grant.
Part-time students can also obtain a maintenance loan, if course intensity is more than 25%. Course intensity measures how much of a full‑time course you complete each year.
It’s calculated by comparing:
- The number of credits you study with,
- The number of credits a full‑time student would study on the same course.
If you would like to check if you’re eligible for a loan, log in and follow the instructions on the government website – Student finance login – GOV.UK.
For further information please contact our finance team at finance@lcb.ac.uk
Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE)
Student finance is changing from 1st January 2027.
For courses starting on or after 1st January 2027 students will have to apply for Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE).
The LLE replaces the old student finance system for most courses starting 1st January 2027 or later.
It applies to courses and modules at levels 4–6 (most undergraduate) and some level 7 courses.
You must apply through the LLE if your course falls under this new system.
Courses starting before 1st January 2027 use the previous system.
"What Will the Current Support Systems & Schemes Look Like Under LLE?"
Tuition Fee Loans
- Covers your tuition fees.
- You can borrow up to £39,160 in total (roughly equal to 4 years full‑time study/480 credits).
- Some courses may allow funding beyond this limit.
Maintenance Loans
- Helps with living costs.
- Amount depends partly on the number of credits you study.
Credit System
- All funded courses have a credit value.
- Example: A full‑time year of a bachelor’s degree = 120 credits.
When to Apply
- Applications open September 2026 for courses starting from January 2027.
- You must apply for each course you study.
- If your course lasts more than a year, you must reapply each year.
Repayment
- You start repaying after you finish or leave your course AND earn over £25,000 a year.
When to Apply
- Applications open September 2026 for courses starting from January 2027.
- You must apply for each course you study.
- If your course lasts more than a year, you must reapply each year.
Repayment
- You start repaying after you finish or leave your course AND earn over £25,000 a year.
For more information check out Student finance if your course starts on or after 1 January 2027: Overview – GOV.UK
Academic support
We are committed to supporting you throughout your higher education journey. Whether you’re with us as a part-time or full-time student, be assured that you’ll have access to a robust academic support structure.
This support structure includes:
- Course Tutors: Your tutors oversee your academic progress, monitor your attendance and address any concerns you may have.
- Curriculum Managers: Responsible for organising the academic year, they ensure that the curriculum is delivered in alignment with learning outcomes and that you are taught to the highest standard.
- Apprenticeship Assessor & Compliance Coach (AACC): Apprentices are allocated an AACC to support them through the EPA process. The support provided by an AACC includes informing apprentices about specific assessment methods and making them aware of EPA gateway requirements.
Why chose to study Higher Education at LCB?
LCB is the only higher education provider in the UK dedicated to construction and the built environment. We are the best at what we do, and we have the accolades to prove it. We are proud of our history and excited for our shared future.
Here you’ll have the opportunity to get all the qualifications and hands-on training you need. Our teaching staff are first-class, and we have excellent industry links.
Split across two campuses, we are bursting at the seams with state-of-the-art teaching facilities fully equipped with all the latest tools and technology.
We are committed to providing an educational environment that champions equality, diversity and inclusion. Our mission statement – “inspiring lives and building futures” is reflected in the significant investments we have made in our campuses and workshops.
Our students and apprentices regularly take part in both local, national and international competitions, winning awards related to their courses, and we have years-long partnerships with the best employers.
To put it simply – if you want a successful career in construction, this is the place to be.
LCB is the only higher education provider in the UK dedicated to construction and the built environment. We are the best at what we do, and we have the accolades to prove it. We are proud of our history and excited for our shared future.
Here you’ll have the opportunity to get all the qualifications and hands-on training you need. Our teaching staff are first-class, and we have excellent industry links.
Split across two campuses, we are bursting at the seams with state-of-the-art teaching facilities fully equipped with all the latest tools and technology.
We are committed to providing an educational environment that champions equality, diversity and inclusion. Our mission statement – “inspiring lives and building futures” is reflected in the significant investments we have made in our campuses and workshops.
Our students and apprentices regularly take part in both local, national and international competitions, winning awards related to their courses, and we have years-long partnerships with the best employers.
To put it simply – if you want a successful career in construction, this is the place to be.
"What I like most about my course so far is being supported by tutors with years of industry practise and experience. They teach in a way that isn’t normal textbook teaching, but with examples pulled straight from experience. This helps me contextualise the work I study."
Student Voice
At LCB we care about what you think. We have designed multiple activities and initiatives to give you the chance to share your views with us.
Student Representatives
For each level of every course, a student from each class (including both full-time and part-time students) will be nominated by their peers to be the Student Representative. Their role is to serve as the voice of the class, communicating directly with the course tutor to improve their learning.
Student Forum
Organised annually for each group, our student forums allow for a range of student perspectives. These forums are vital in ensuring the continued improvement of our courses.
Student Surveys
Throughout your time here at LCB you'll have the chance to share your thoughts with us directly through our online surveys. These surveys cover dozens of topics and the more feedback we get from you, the better we'll be at pinpointing areas of the college that can be improved.
Need help with getting on a course?
If you’re concerned about not having the right qualifications for our Level 4 courses, don’t worry. LCB hosts a special bridging course designed to help you get where you want to go. Whether you want to study Construction Management, Civil Engineering or Building Services Engineering – we’re here to get you there.
Teaching Excellence Framework
The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) is a national scheme that is run by the Office for Students (OfS).
Its aim is to encourage higher education providers to improve and deliver exceptional teaching, learning and student outcomes, by assessing and rating universities and colleges.
The TEF awarded LCB a Silver Award, which means the student experience and outcomes are typically of a very high quality.
This rating was awarded to us in 2023 and runs until 2027.
"I enjoy the variety that the course offers, it is not solely concentrated on one discipline."
Specialist Equipment
Specialist Equipment
We have an extensive range of industry grade tools and instruments, including surveying equipment, CNC machines and computer-aided design (CAD) software, all designed to develop your skills.
Both of our campuses are home to specialised facilities with state-of-the-art equipment.
At South Bank we have STEM rooms which assist our BSE students in learning science and construction technology. Here you’ll also find our BIM rooms which allow our students to utilise parametric 3D design tools in hands-on exercises.
At North Street we have a concrete lab used as part of our civil engineering courses to help test various types and mixes of concrete.
City of Leeds
Leeds is a ‘Premier League’ city, and a great place to be a student. If sport is your thing we are home to several elite teams you can enjoy as a spectator, and there are tons of parks, pitches and gyms around the city if you prefer to get stuck in.
If you love a bit of retail therapy, we also have you sorted. Leeds city centre is full of large shopping centres, historical arcades, pop-up markets, and designer shops, where you can find everything from high street fashion to vintage clothing.
After a day of smashing university life, the best way to blow off some steam is to enjoy some live music. Leeds music scene speaks for itself. We have a vibrant and diverse mix of local and touring acts playing gigs in the city every night.
There’s never been a better time to be a foodie in Leeds, either. Between the pop-up kitchens of Trinity, the legendary Kirkgate market and the laid-back cool of the Corn Exchange, there are so many places to eat and unwind after a day of hard work.
Basically, no matter what you want out of your student experience in Leeds, this city has you covered.
Accommodation in Leeds
Accommodation in Leeds
At LCB we have close links with several hotels in Leeds City Centre to make life easier for our non-local students.
If you are studying a higher or degree apprenticeship and your employer is a CITB registered company, they may be eligible for up to 80% off your hotel bills through the CITB ‘Travel to Train’ scheme. Why not ask your employer to check their eligibility.
For more information, and to see if they are eligible, they will just need to drop an email to nichola.wingrove@citb.co.uk
Career Opportunities
Depending on what you want out of your career, there are so many options for you in construction.
With construction wages growing by 6.1% in 2024, the construction workforce is expected grow to around 2.75 million by 2029, making it one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK.
With high starting salaries, rewarding career progression, and the potential to be your own boss, there’s never been a better time to enter the world of construction.
Higher Education Achievements
By studying at LCBU you’ll become part of our LCB family.
Take a look below at some of our most recent achievements and awards.
October 2025
November 2025
March 2026
March 2026
May 2026
Policies & Procedures
LCB is dedicated in its adherence to the rules and regulations around higher education. Check out the links below to see our current policies and procedures.
Inclusive Learning Services (ILS)
We are committed to providing every individual with the necessary support to thrive in their educational journey. To support this, we have established a dedicated team known as Inclusive Learning Support (ILS), who work closely with students to help them overcome any barriers to their learning.
- The ILS team can assist you with:
- Strategies for maximising study effectiveness for individuals with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities
- Support you with study skills
- Accessing assistive equipment and technology
- they are the provision of specialised support
If you think you might need support and would like to find out more about how we can help you, please contact Sinitta Craze, Senior ILS Administrator:
Email: Scraze@lcb.ac.uk
Telephone: 0113 222 6048
Safeguarding
Our objective is to guarantee that LCB is a safe environment for our students. To achieve this, we have comprehensive policies and procedures that every member of staff follows. Additionally, the college has a dedicated Safeguarding Team available to assist with any concerns you may have.
You can find out more information about safeguarding on our Policies & Procedures page
Other Useful Links
Having trouble with getting your complaint resolved? The Office of Independent Adjudicators can assist you with professional guidance and consultation.
At LCB we promote the British value of democracy and as such we encourage all our HE students to register to vote. Instructions and guidance on how to register can be found here.