About London School of Economics and Political Science
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is a world-leading social science university in the heart of London. Founded in 1895, it attracts 12,000 students from 150+ countries and focuses on economics, politics, law, data and public policy research that shapes governments and global organisations.
Key Information
Student Statistics
- • 12,000 total students
- • 7,000 international students
- • 220 student societies
Location
- • Located in London
- • Public university
- • Established 1895
Academics & Faculties
Degrees Offered
Bachelor, Master, PhD, Foundation, Pre-Master
Popular Subjects
EconomicsInternational RelationsFinanceSocial PolicyLaw
Student-Staff Ratio
12.5 : 1
Faculties & Departments
School of Economics
Economics, Finance, Accounting
School of Politics and International Relations
International Relations, Government, European Institute
School of Law
Department of Law, Law School Clinics, Centre for Human Rights
School of Public Policy
LSE Public Policy, School of Public Administration, School of Cities
School of Methodology and Data Science
Statistics, Data Science Institute, Methodology Department
Entry Requirements
Undergraduate
Academic: Typical LSE offers are A*AA-AAB with Mathematics required for quantitative programmes.
Alternatives: IB 38-40 points with 7,6,6 at Higher Level including Mathematics, Gaokao minimum 85% overall with top provincial ranking, US High School Diploma with GPA 3.7 plus SAT 1500 or ACT 34
IELTS: 7
R 7 / W 7 / L 6.5 / S 6.5
TOEFL iBT: 100
Academic essay or data task for specific programmes • LSE Non-UK Personal Statement with global perspective • Interviews for Law (LNAT) and Global Politics
Postgraduate
Minimum Qualification: UK 2:1 honours or international equivalent in a relevant social science discipline
GPA: 3.5
IELTS: 7
R 6.5 / W 7 / L 6.5 / S 6.5
TOEFL iBT: 100
Two academic references • Statement of academic purpose • GRE/GMAT scores for selected programmes
Fees & Funding
Tuition (International)
- Undergraduate: £24,000
- Postgraduate: £25,000
Living Costs (Annual)
- Accommodation: £12,000
- Food: £3,200
- Transport: £1,600
- Entertainment: £2,200
- Other: £1,500
- Total: £20,500
Scholarships
LSE Undergraduate Support Scheme
Need-basedMeans-tested awards worth £5,000-£15,000 per year for international undergraduates.
Value: £15,000 (Partial)
Firm offer holder • Household income below £45,000 • Strong academic record
Deadline: 2025-04-26
Graduate Support Scheme
Need-basedProvides £5,000 average fee reduction for master's students with financial need.
Value: £5,000 (Tuition-only)
Full-time taught postgraduate • Proven financial need • Outstanding academic potential
Deadline: 2025-03-27
LSE Master’s Awards
MeritHigh-value scholarships covering up to full tuition for top-ranked applicants from around the world.
Value: Full
Offer for a taught master's • First-class honours or equivalent • Leadership or public service motivation
Deadline: 2025-02-13
Campus & Facilities
Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE
Compact Covent Garden campus with interconnected academic buildings, LSE Library and the Centre Building roof garden.
Size: 12 acres
Facilities
Academic
Centre Building lecture theatres, Data Science Institute visualisation labs, LSE Generate entrepreneurship space
Student Life
Saw Swee Hock Student Centre, Marshall Sports Hall, Faith Centre and contemplation spaces
Libraries
British Library of Political and Economic Science
Europe’s largest social science library offering 4 million print items, digital labs and data services.
08:30-00:00
LSE LIFE
Flexible learning hub with coaching, statistics workshops and writing retreats.
09:00-21:00
Sports Facilities
Marshall Building Sports Centre
Multipurpose sports hall, gym, squash courts and martial arts studio open daily.
LSE SU Off-site Sports Grounds
Grass pitches and hockey astro at Berrylands and New Malden for BUCS fixtures.
Student Services
LSE Student Advice and Wellbeing
Visa, immigration, disability and counselling support with multilingual advisers.
student.wellbeing@lse.ac.uk
LSE Generate
Entrepreneurship mentoring, funding competitions and co-working spaces for founders.
hello@generate.lse.ac.uk
Accommodation
Bankside House
University-managedCatered hall beside Tate Modern with river views and communal study spaces.
Cost: £285 - £340 (per week)
On-site dining hall • Laundry • 24/7 reception
Distance: 25-minute walk
Contract: 31-40 weeks
Urbanest Westminster Bridge
PrivatePremium ensuite and studio rooms with pool, gym and panoramic study lounge near the Thames.
Cost: £360 - £480 (per week)
25m swimming pool • Cinema room • Roof terrace
Distance: 15-minute Tube
Contract: 51 weeks
Rosebery Hall
University-managedIslington residence offering catered and self-catered options with music rooms and courtyard.
Cost: £250 - £330 (per week)
Common rooms • Study spaces • Bike storage
Distance: 15-minute walk
Contract: 40 weeks
Rank up to three halls via the LSE Accommodation Portal; firm offer holders applying by 25 May are guaranteed a room.
Residence life team, airport meet-and-greet and bedding packs provided in all LSE-managed halls.
Student Life & Support
Clubs & Sports
Clubs: 220
Teams: 50
Cultural Activities
- Freshers' Fair on Houghton Street — Every Michaelmas term
- LSE Festival — Annually in February
International Support
- Visa support: Yes
- Language support: Yes
- Orientation: Yes
- Buddy program: Yes
- Contact: international@lse.ac.uk
Health & Wellbeing
- Medical centre: Yes
- Counselling: Yes
- Disability support: Yes
- Emergency: +44 (0)20 7955 6200
Careers & Outcomes
Employability Rank
11
Graduate Outcomes
Employed: 95%
Further study: 3%
Unemployed: 1%
Average Salary
£42,000
15 months after graduation
Top Employers
McKinsey & CompanyGoldman SachsBank of EnglandUnited NationsOECD
Career Services
- LSE Careers: Sector-focused coaching, Spring Weeks, employer networking and Visa Careers Club for international students.
- Generate Accelerator: Startup pre-accelerator, demo days and founder-in-residence mentoring.
Location & Transportation
Nearest Airport
London Heathrow
28 km • 45 minutes via Heathrow Express and Tube
Public Transport
- Tube: Holborn, Temple and Covent Garden stations within a 5-minute walk for Central, Piccadilly and District lines. • £1.75 off-peak with Oyster
- Bus: Multiple 24-hour bus routes run along Aldwych and Kingsway connecting to Waterloo and the City. • £1.75 single fare
Local Area
Located in Holborn between the City and West End, students enjoy theatres, museums and professional networking within a few minutes' walk.
Cost of Living: High
Attractions: Covent Garden, Somerset House, West End theatres
Shopping: Oxford Street, Covent Garden Market, Westfield London
Entertainment: Southbank Centre, National Theatre, Seven Dials food market
Additional Information
Accreditation
Russell Group, AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS, Athena SWAN
Partnerships
- Policy: International Monetary Fund — Joint executive education for finance ministers and macroeconomic research placements.
- Industry: Citi — Data Science Innovation Hub funding internships and fintech research.
Research Highlights
- Grantham Research on Climate Change — Provided policy frameworks adopted at COP28 for climate finance pathways. (2023)
- LSE Data Science Institute — Developed responsible AI metrics used by UK government pilots. (2024)
Notable Alumni
- Ursula von der Leyen — President of the European Commission, MSc Economics alumna (1990)
- Aung San Suu Kyi — Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former Myanmar State Counsellor (1968)
- John F. Kennedy — 35th President of the United States (1935)
- George Soros — Billionaire investor and philanthropist (1952)
Metadata
Source: Compiled from 2024/25 LSE prospectus, UCAS, HESA, LSE accommodation guide and Careers destination data
Last Updated: 2025-12-03T00:00:00Z
Verified: Yes
Contact Email: lse-data@ukuni.io