The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), of the University of London, is a world-class social science institution situated in London, UK.
Teaching at LSE is of the highest quality. LSE was ranked third in the world for social sciences and management. Also, its Law School was ranked seventh by the QS World University Subject Rankings 2022. LSE is a member of the Russell Group, an elite group of research-intensive universities in the UK.
LSE is a highly competitive institution making admission difficult. The high level of competition means that achieving the usual standard offer grades does not guarantee an offer.
It offers a range of different programmes, from undergraduate and graduate studies to language studies and study abroad options through its various departments and institutes. It welcomes students from over 140 countries, making it a great place to study for international students.
LSE provides generous financial support, in the form of bursaries and scholarships to all students. Despite the UK’s exit from the EU, LSE continues to make funding available to all students regardless of fee status.
LSE is based on one campus in the centre of London. Despite the busy feel of the surrounding area, the campus is a real community where everyone is welcome. LSE looks out over the London skyline and is situated in the heart of the city, making it a good place to network and experience the city of London.
International students at LSE can seek support from the Health Service, the well-being team, the LSE Life team and more.
LSE students have one of the best rates of employability and earnings after graduation in the UK. LSE graduates find employment in almost any sector due to the wide range of transferable skills developed during their studies. Lastly, LSE has 18 Nobel Prize winners among its staff and former students.
Learn more about LSE:
LSE delivers lectures, classes, seminars, workshops, and related teaching and learning activities in person on campus. It also offers a comprehensive portfolio of online programmes as well as teaching and learning materials through Moodle, the School’s virtual learning platform. A typical undergraduate timetable involves 8 to 14 hours of teaching per week, but reading and writing of essays, projects and other coursework assignments make up a full working week.
LSE Excellence in Education Awards is an in-house teaching awards procedure which creates a culture where excellence in teaching is valued and rewarded. The Excellence in Education Awards are designed to honour staff who have made outstanding teaching contributions to their department.
LSESU (London School of Economics Students’ Union) awards is a competition designed to allow students to recognise those members of staff who have made a difference in their time at LSE. There is also an award for Departmental Excellence and Professional Services Staff. Students can acknowledge others throughout their respective schools who have helped to improve their experience here at LSE. As a result of recognising excellent teaching, LSE’s teaching quality has vastly improved, which is why it attracts the best and brightest students in the world.
LSE surveys provide an opportunity for students to share their opinion of the courses they have taken and to inform the department of what works well and where improvements can be made. Students are also invited to provide overall comments on the positive and negative aspects of the teaching they are receiving. The feedback is used to better the teaching at LSE as student satisfaction is of the utmost importance at the university.
LSE is a highly competitive institution. The high level of competition means that achieving the usual standard grades does not guarantee that an offer of admission will be made. Each application is carefully considered on an individual basis, considering the full range of information presented on the UCAS form. This includes the personal statement, academic achievement, subject combinations, contextual information and UCAS reference.
Search the programme pages to find out more about degree-specific entry requirements, preferred subject combinations and desirable skills and attributes. LSE expresses a standard offer in terms of GCE A-levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB). To see the usual standard offer and entry requirements for each programme, view LSE programme pages.
Find out about the standard entry requirements for international students. In some cases, candidates will be asked for grades which differ from the entry requirements. The offers made in any given year will depend on the strength of that cohort, meaning that offers made may also change from year to year. LSE also reserves the right to specify that grades should be achieved in subjects.
English language requirements can be found here. All undergraduate students are required to be proficient in English to benefit from their studies at the school. If prospective students have applied for one of the undergraduate programmes or received an offer, they can meet the language requirements in the following ways:
All students must have an English language qualification in each of the four sub-components of the language.
Find out more about English Language requirements on the LSE website.
Applying to university can be confusing, especially for an international student with a different educational background. With LSE, the admission process is easy as it can all be done online.
LSE advises applicants to ask themselves the following questions when choosing a course they wish to study:
Potential students will be asked to present the following information:
Each application is carefully considered on an individual basis. There is a great deal of competition for places at the school. In 2021, LSE received around 26,000 applications for 1,700 places. The competition for places means that meeting or exceeding the entry requirements does not guarantee that an offer will be made.
All queries regarding tuition fees and payment of tuition fees are dealt with by the LSE Fees Office.
The tuition fee for new undergraduates with overseas fee status (including EU) is currently GBP 23,330 per year.
LSE recognise that the cost of living in London may be higher and provides generous funding for undergraduate students, based on financial need. LSE bursaries are available to international students from low-income backgrounds.
The number, value, eligibility criteria and type of scholarships vary from year to year. More information about LSE financial support for overseas students.
LSE provides generous scholarships to all students. Each year LSE awards several scholarships. The value, eligibility criteria, and type of scholarships vary from year to year.
LSE offers LSE Access to Education Scholarships made up of support for the tuition fee and living costs for:
LSE's yearlong study abroad programmes allow students from overseas universities to spend a full academic year at LSE. Known as The General Course, it offers more than 300 available courses covering the full range of social science subjects. Get more information about the fees and funding available.
LSE is made up of 27 academic departments. These are:
LSE is based on one campus in the centre of London. Many of the streets around the campus are pedestrianised making the campus feel like a real community. LSE looks out over the London skyline, making students feel connected to the world beyond academia.
Next door to campus is the Royal Courts of Justice building, while Westminster and the Houses of Parliament are all nearby. Around the corner is Covent Garden, while many other London sights, attractions and entertainment are nearby.
View the campus maps and information on disabled access to LSE buildings and find out more about LSE facilities.
Founded in 1896, the British Library of Political and Economic Science is the major international library of the social sciences. The library offers long opening hours, excellent resources and a superb study environment for all students.
The library offers a range of facilities and support to LSE students including:
LSE students also have access to several other academic libraries in Greater London and nationwide.
LSE LIFE is an academic, personal, and professional development centre for undergraduate and taught master's students. It is located on the ground floor of the library and is a great place to study and meet students from across the school.
The PhD Academy is a specialist centralised service which provides events, training, and other development activities. They host weekly surgeries from LSE Careers, the Financial Support Office (FSO), International Student Visa and Advice Team, and the Language Centre and Methodology for all students.
The Language Centre specialises in offering modern language courses targeted to the needs of students and practitioners in the social sciences.
The Language Centre provides the following:
There is a range of sports clubs and societies to get involved in at LSE, from athletics to squash and yoga. The sports societies cater for every level of skill from beginner to advanced.
There is a state-of-the-art on campus which offers exercise equipment and classes. In addition, there is a badminton court in the Old Building, and netball and tennis courts are available nearby in Lincoln's Inn Fields. The sports grounds provide for a variety of outdoor sports such as football, cricket, netball and rugby.
Find out more about the sports facilities on campus.
The LSE Residential Services Office allocates over 4,000 places across several central London locations. All students have access to a variety of rooms to suit different preferences and budgets.
Details on prices and room types are available on LSE student accommodation pages. Whether potential students want to be on campus or off-campus there are many types of rooms, studios, and apartments available. For more information, visit the faculty accommodation website.
The halls of residence offer good quality, centrally located accommodation to the public during the winter, spring and summer vacations. A small number of rooms are available all year round.
The LSE LIFE team with advisers and specialists from Careers, the Library and the Language Centre provide the following services to all students:
The LSE website provides guidance to students about registering with a doctor and NHS eligibility. The medical centre offers urgent appointments to all unregistered students.
A counselling service offers free confidential counselling to all students for any personal or study-related difficulties. There’s an established peer support scheme with over 35 highly trained students. Expert mental health advisers offer confidential support to all students, making it a safe and supportive environment for international students who may be feeling nervous and unsure in a new country.
The Disability and Wellbeing Service offers information, advice, guidance, and support. It assists students with disabilities, long-term medical and mental health conditions, and specific learning differences.
LSE students have one of the best rates of employability and earnings after graduation in the UK. The Complete University Guide 2022 places History at LSE first overall for job prospects.
LSE graduates find employment in almost any job sector due to the wide range of transferable skills developed during their studies. Students can engage in a wide range of extracurricular activities that help to build their career prospects by participating in student societies. The types of societies range from political and charity work to societies focused on specific career paths. See the full list of LSE Student Union Societies.
LSE Careers provides a comprehensive range of careers and employment services. It offers one-to-one appointments, practice interviews, career events and fairs, the chance to meet employers, job listings, volunteering opportunities, advice about further study, support to set up businesses and numerous online resources.
In addition, the Careers Service helps all students to search for employment during the summers and after they graduate. The Careers Service organises careers fairs, forums, seminars, and employer presentations during the academic year. Studying at LSE will help all international students stand out and appeal to prospective employers making it a truly superb place to learn and grow.
Study in the UK eBook!
Interested in studying in the UK? Get your comprehensive guide now!*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
Hotcourses Diversity Index (What is this?)
143 International student nationalities at this university
7.08% International students from USA
46
OVERALL SCORE
TEACHING
INTERNATIONAL OUTLOOK
INDUSTRY INCOME
RESEARCH
CITATIONS
£13,200
£8,188
UNDERGRADUATE
£26,930
POSTGRADUATE
£28,260
Overall experience
100% of reviewers recommend London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London
Admission process
Funding/Scholarships
Study experience
Life experience
Job prospects
If you are studying right now or you have completed your studies, then help future students by sharing your experiences.
Anonymous, UK
5
A Very Good Environment to study ..!
My overall experience has been OK. If you want to study on my course, I'd recommend getting some form of industrial experience before, which would help better with the theoretical application of the subject. Life in London is good, though it can get slightly expensive at times.
My overall experience has been OK. If you want to study on my course, I'd recommend getting some form of industrial experience before, which would help better with the theoretical application of the subject. Life in London is good, though it can get slightly expensive at times.
Anonymous, Indonesia
5
being an LSE student is very challenging. you need to be very quick to adjust.
Please prepare to be exhausted at very first 3 months. Save your energy for summer term otherwise you will go crazy. Summer means madness at LSE.
Please prepare to be exhausted at very first 3 months. Save your energy for summer term otherwise you will go crazy. Summer means madness at LSE.
