
The London School of Economics and Political Science (a.k.a. “L.S.E.") is a public research university in London, England, and a constituent institute of the federal University of London.
Established in 1895 by Sidney Webb, Beatrice Webb, Graham Wallas, and George Bernard Shaw, L.S.E. associated with the University of London in 1900 and started its 1st-degree course under the patronage of the university in 1901. L.S.E. started granting its degrees in its own name in 2008, prior to which it accorded degrees of the University of London.
L.S.E. transcripts reveal that the proposition to constitute the school was envisioned during a breakfast meeting on 4th August 1894, involving the Webbs, Louis Flood, and George Bernard Shaw. The trustees approved the concept in1895 and, L.S.E. commenced its first classes in October of that year in the City of Westminster.
Referred to as the School, L.S.E. it was first started in 1895 in 3 rooms, close to the Strand in central London. A young economic historian, William Hewins, was deputed as the first Director. During the first year, 300 students registered for courses including economics, statistics and, political science. In 1896 the school shifted to larger premises in Adelphi Terrace.
In 2006 the school commissioned the right to grant its own degrees, and the first L.S.E. degree was awarded in 2008.L.S.E. has continued to execute well in league tables and research impact exercises in recent years.
London School of Economics has academic tie-ups in teaching and research with 6 other universities – “Columbia University” in New York City and “The University of California," Berkeley, in Asia-“Peking University” in Beijing and the “National University” of Singapore, in Africa- the “University of Cape Town” and Europe-“Sciences Po” in Paris.
L.S.E. Alumni and faculty comprises 55 past or present heads of the government. L.S.E. alumni and faculty have also garnered 3 Nobel Peace Prizes and 2 Nobel Prizes in Literature.
London School of Economics research and teaching is structured into a nexus of independent academic departments modeled by the L.S.E. Council, the school's governing body, on the proposal of the academic board, the school's senior academic authority. At present, there are 27 academic departments/institutes.
26th September – 9th December 2022
Reading week: 31st October – 4th November 2022
9thJanuary – 13thJanuary 2023
16th January – 31st March 2023
Reading week: 20th February – 24th February 2023
2nd May (due to May bank holiday) – 16th June 2023
25th September – 8th December 2023
Reading week: 30th October – 3rd November 2023
8th January – 12th January 2024
15th January – 28th March 2024 (due to Good Friday on 29th March)
Reading week: 19th February – 23rd February 2024
29th April – 14th June 2024
For 12months master's students and students in Year 2nd of a 24-month master's program, Summer Term stretches until the official end date of one’s program.
General Course academic assessment comprises two components:
A “Class Grade” for each course: This reflects a summary letter grade attained from one’s class teacher at the academic year-end and is often required by home institutions in defining credit transfer. The class grade caters to an overall evaluation of one’s work over the course of the year. Class teachers grant class grades based on attendance, class participation, presentations, and marks for essays and/or problem sets.
An “Exam Grade” for each course: This is a distinct letter grade based exclusively on the marks one obtains for the accumulative evaluation (exam and/or assessed essays) for each of one’s courses.
Both grades will reflect on one’s L.S.E. transcript. The L.S.E. does not merge them into a single mark, and it is up to one’s home institution how they will treat them in accessing credit transfer and whether they will be considered in one’s G.P.A. The marking criteria for converting L.S.E. marks into letter grades for are as follows:
L.S.E. class of degree | MarksEquivalent | Written Work/exam | Class Contribution | Class Grade |
FIRST | 75% or above | A+ | A+ | A+ |
FIRST | 70% -74% | A | A | A |
UPPER- SECOND | 65% -69% | A- | A- | A- |
UPPER- SECOND | 60% -64% | B+ | B+ | B+ |
LOWER- SECOND | 55% -59% | B | B | B |
LOWER- SECOND | 50% -54% | B- | B- | B- |
THIRD | 45% -49% | C+ | C+ | C+ |
THIRD | 40% -44% | C | C | C |
FAIL | 0 - 39% | F | F | F |
London School of Economics and Political Science (L.S.E.) has been invariably placed within #151 to #200 from 2016 to 2021. Q.S. (Top universities) has positioned L.S.E. within the top 50 universities globally since 2017.
Times Higher Education (THE) has also placed within the top 50 universities in the world from 2017 to 2021. U.S. News & World Report has positioned L.S.E. at #244 rank for 2021 in its global universities ranking.
U.K.'s major publisher “The Complete University Guide” has placed L.S.E. within the top 10 universities in the U.K. since 2021. Another primary UK ranking source, “The Guardian," has positioned L.S.E. at #5 in its U.K. universities ranking.
Ranked By | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) - Universities Rankings | 151 to 200 | 151 to 200 | 151 to 200 | 151 to 200 | 151 to 200 | NA |
QS - World University Ranking | NA | #37 | #35 | #38 | #44 | #49 |
THE (Times Higher Education) - University Ranking | NA | #25 | #25 | #26 | #27 | #27 |
The Complete University Guide - University Ranking (UK) | NA | #3 | #4 | #3 | #4 | #4 |
The Guardian - University Rankings | NA | #12 | #15 | #15 | #19 | #5 |
US News & World Report - Global Universities | NA | NA | #234 | #259 | #259 | #244 |
London School of Economics and Political Science's (L.S.E.) management, business & accounting courses are renowned worldwide. Q.S. (Top universities) has placed within the top 10 schools worldwide in its Accounting & Finance ratings. In addition, times Higher Education (THE) has positioned L.S.E. within the top 10 schools in its P.G. Business and Economics ratings.
The Complete University Guide has positioned L.S.E. within the top 20 schools in the U.K. in its Accounting & Finance and Business & Management Studies ratings since 2017. The Guardian has also positioned L.S.E. within the top 50 universities in its Accounting & Finance and Business, Management & Marketing ratings.
L.S.E. has enhanced its ranking in The Guardian's Accounting & Finance Rankings from #48 in 2020 to #6 in 2021. Similarly, L.S.E. has also improved significantly in The Guardian's Business, Management & Marketing rankings from #32 position in 2020 to #8 in 2021. These positions signify that ranking publisher highly acclaim L.S.E.'s accounting, finance, and marketing courses.
Ranked By | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
QS - Accounting & Finance | #5 | #5 | #5 | #4 | NA |
THE (Times Higher Education) - PG Business and Economics | NA | NA | #8 | #6 | #7 |
The Complete University Guide - Accounting & Finance Ranking | #7 | #4 | #4 | #5 | #8 |
The Complete University Guide - Business & Management Studies (UK) | #3 | #4 | #11 | #14 | #16 |
The Guardian - Accounting & Finance Rankings | #18 | #28 | #19 | #48 | #6 |
The Guardian - Business, Management & Marketing | #33 | #32 | #20 | #32 | #8 |
Fees include registration, teaching, first entry to examinations, the use of the Library, and membership of the Students' Union. They also generally cover teaching and the use of student common rooms at other colleges of the University of London if one’s program has inter-collegiate provisions. If one receives an offer, he/she will be informed of the applicable tuition fee amount in one’s offer letter.
Courses | Duration | 1st Year Tuition Fees |
B.E. / B.Tech. (1 Course) | 3 years | £22.50 K |
B.Sc.(7 Courses) | 3 years | £ 21.60 K - £22.45 K |
B.B.A. (9 Courses) | 3 years | £21.58 K - £22.45 K |
M.A.(2 Courses) | 1 year to 2 years | £23.55 K - £24.48 K |
MS(27 Courses) | 9 months to 3 years | £20.15 K - £30.40 K |
M.I.M. (36 Courses) | 9 months to 3 years | £20.15 K - £36.95 K |
Program Level | Fee Status | Annual Increase |
General Course | Home/EU & Overseas | 4.00% |
Taught Postgraduate | Home/EU & Overseas | 4.00% |
Research Postgraduate | Home/EU | 4.00% |
Overseas | 4.00% |
The Home/E.U. The undergraduate fee is chargeable in compliance with the max. Fee determined by the U.K. Government.
The Overseas undergraduate fee, for admissions in 2020-21 and later, is charged at a flat rate as per the year of entry, i.e. students starting their studies in 2020-21 will be levied the same fee as that which is charged in 2020-21, in each successive year of study.
Funds will be needed to meet the costs of one’s accommodation, food, and travel, as well as other costs accompanying one’s studies, such as books& day to day expenses, such as clothes and entertainment.
It’s very hard to determine/presume "Average Cost of Living "as every individual will have varied priorities and lifestyle preferences. However, for an approximate idea, here are some estimates below:
Costs | For 1 Academic Year |
Average rent | £11,080 |
Student bus pass | £785 |
Food | £1,565 |
Course materials | £220 |
Mobile phone | £210 |
Going out, Restaurants | £630 |
Clothes, health, other | £735 |
Various Graduate & Undergraduate accommodations available at L.S.E.:
Each year L.S.E. extends various undergraduate, Diploma, Master’s, Ph.D., and executive programs to international students. The admission requisites for international students are listed below:
L.S.E. welcomes international students with country/region-specific English proficiency test results. The school affirms these results only if they are achieved in one sitting. The English proficiency tests scores acceptable and mandatory scores for the undergraduate programs at L.S.E. are asunder:
Tests | Required Scores |
I.E.L.T.S. | 7.00 in each section |
T.O.E.F.L.iBT | Overall 100 with 27.0 in writing, 25.0 in reading, 24.0 in listening and, 24.0 in speaking |
P.T.E. | 69.0 in each component |
Cambridge C1 advanced | 185.0 |
Cambridge C2 advanced | 185.0 |
International Baccalaureate English B | 7.0 points |
Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English | Level 3chiefly with distinction in each component |
Note: I.E.L.T.S., T.O.E.F.L., P.T.E., and Trinity test scores should not be older than 2 years.
Below are the English proficiency requisites for applying to the graduate programs at L.S.E.:
Tests | Standard Scores | Higher Scores | MPhil or Ph.D. | All Law Programs |
I.E.L.T.S. | Overall 7.00 with 6.50 in each section | Overall 7.00 with 7.00 in reading and 6.50 in other sections | Overall 7.00 with 7.00 in reading and 6.50 in other sections | 7.50 |
LSE Language Centre Professional Program | Overall 70.0 with 65.0 in reading | Overall 70.0 with 70.0 in reading | Overall 70.0 with 70.0 in reading | 75.00 |
P.T.E. | 69.0 overall with 62. in each section | 69.0 overall with 69.0 in reading | 69.0 overall with 69.0 in reading | 75.0 |
Cambridge English Scale | 185.0 | 185.0 | 185.0 | 191.0 |
T.O.E.F.L.iBT | 100 overall with 23.0 in reading | 100 with 25.0 in reading | 100 with 25.0 in reading | 109.0 |
Trinity I.S.E. | Level 3 | Level 3 | Level 3 | Level 3 |
Note: L.S.E. does not take into account the I.E.L.T.S. (General) exam as adequate for academic use. The school emphasizes international applicants submit their academic I.E.L.T.S. scores.
The min. entry requisites for each level of study in the graduate programs are discrete. The basic entry requisites for the graduate programs at L.S.E. comprise a previous degree and expertise in English. The students are recommended to apply without the assistance of any paid professional assistance or services. Presenting such applications may face rejection of the application, withdrawal of the offer, revocation of admission and, spontaneous elimination from the school.
Application: L.S.E. Online Application System.
Application fees: £80
The general admission regulations for the graduate programs in L.S.E. are listed as under:
The degree-specific admission requisites for the graduate programs at L.S.E. are as under:
L.S.E. evaluates each application distinctively, and all the information shared in UCAS applications is taken into account by the admission team. Therefore, the programs proposed to the international students have program-specific admission requisites.
Application: International students can apply on L.S.E. Online Application System.
Application fees: £80
Admission prerequisites: The admission requisites for the undergraduate programs in L.S.E. are listed as under:
Below are some of the top programs offered by L.S.E. and their admission prerequisites:
Programs | Transcripts | Graduate Admission Tests | Personal Statement | LOR | CV | Additional Requirements |
M.S. in Finance and Economics | Required | G.M.A.T. or G.R.E. required for non-1st class degrees | Required | 2 L.O.R. | Required | (Optional) professional experience |
Master of Laws | Required | Not required | Required | Required | Required | Not required |
M.S. in Data Science | Required | Optional G.R.E. or G.M.A.T. | Required | Required | 2 L.O.R. | Not required |
M.S. in Accounting and Finance | Required | G.M.A.T. score 650 or higher | Required | Required | 2 L.O.R. | Not required |
M.S. in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics | Required | G.R.E. or G.M.A.T. is required for a non-UK degree | S.O.P. required | Required | 2 L.O.R. | Not required |
L.S.E. registered an overall 93.90% placement success for its class of 2017-18. Around 6,408 students were enlisted across L.S.E.'s 28 academic departments. The class constitution of 55.0% was dominated at large by non- European students. Placements at L.S.E. are not conventional, unlike manyuniversities globallythat formally arrange for on-campus placements for potential students.
Instead, L.S.E. indirectly supports its students with their dedicated portal, which can be approached by both L.S.E. students and recruiting companies/agencies willing to hire L.S.E. graduates.
M.Sc. Finance: £41500
M.Sc. Finance and Economics: £41300
M.Sc. Risk and Finance: £41300
M.Sc. Finance and Private Equity: £57500
M.Sc. Management of Information Systems and Digital Innovation: £38500
Each year, more than £4 million and £13 million are endowed in undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships respectively at L.S.E. These figures are reflected bythe London School of Economics and Political Science scholarships presented internally. Organizations like the British Council grant external scholarships to international students planning to chase higher studies in the U.K.'s ranking universities.
Undergraduate scholarships at L.S.E. are granted on the grounds of the applicant’s academic excellence and must be utilized towards the payment of tuition fees. The annual tuition fee for international students starting an undergraduate program at L.S.E. is approx.£21,570, which rises by 2.50% to 4.0% every year.
With L.S.E. scholarships obtainable by international students, it becomes easier for students to meet their remaining tuition fees and other living costs. Some of the London School of Economics and Political Science scholarships for U.G. students are tabulated below:
Scholarship Name | Scholarship Benefits | Scholarship Eligibility |
The Beacon Scholarship | Differs | Citizen of Tanzania, Kenya, or Uganda |
Kadas Scholarship | £15,000 per year | Citizens of Bulgaria, Albania, Poland, Romania, etc. |
Singapore L.S.E. Trust Undergraduate Scholarship | Differs | Citizen of Singapore |
Besides these, all international students are entitled to apply for the L.S.E. Undergraduate Support Scheme. This is the only need-based scholarship system bestowed to incoming students who can’t afford to study at L.S.E. The scholarship amount ranges between £6,000 to £15,000.
Students must clarify that these are just a few undergraduate scholarships obtainable by international students at L.S.E. The school updates its scholarship possibilities throughout the year. Therefore potential students are recommended to check the page for scholarship updates.
Around 19.0% of incoming L.S.E. master's program students are fortunate in attaining merit-based or need-based scholarships to study at L.S.E. At the post graduate level, the L.S.E. scholarships are endowed as a combination of internal and external scholarship programs.
A few of the P.G. scholarships available for international students at L.S.E. are mentioned in the table below:
Scholarship Name | Scholarship Type | Scholarship Benefits | Scholarship Eligibility |
British Chevening Scholarship | External: Merit-based | It covers tuition fees, the cost of accommodation, and travel in the U.K. | Above 70.0% in undergraduate degree; 2 years or more of work experience |
L.S.E. Access to Graduate Scholarships | Internal: Need-based | £14,400 | An International student who is a refugee, Or a person with humanitarian protection. |
L.S.E. Master's Awards | Internal: Need-based | £5,000 to total fees | An International student comingfrom a low-income country |
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship | External: Merit-based | covers fees, fares& maintenance expenses | 75.0% in the bachelor program,coming from developing countries like India &Bangladesh |
L.S.E. Ph.D. Studentships | Internal: merit-based | £17,000- £18,000 | International students are commencingM.Res. /Ph.D. |
In addition, some of the scholarships available for Indian applicants of the London School of Economics are tabulated below:
Scholarship Name | Scholarship Benefits |
Lady Meherbai Scholarship | INR 3,00,000.00 and INR 6,00,000.00 |
JN Tata Endowment Scholarship | INR 1,00,000.00 and INR 10,00,000.00 |
InlaksShivdasani Scholarship | Differs |
Margaret Basu Scholarship | £4,000 |
Marchant Foundation L.L.M. Scholarship | £10,000 |