How to Get into the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

The London School of Economics and Political Science boasts a worldwide reputation as a leading institution dedicated to the social sciences. It consistently ranks among the top universities globally, attracting ambitious students seeking a rigorous academic foundation. Studying at LSE places you in the heart of London, a global hub for politics, economics, and culture. This proximity provides unparalleled access to professional opportunities, internships, and networking possibilities within these fields.

LSE fosters a vibrant and diverse student body, with individuals from over 160 countries creating a cosmopolitan learning environment. This exposure to different cultures and viewpoints can broaden your horizons and equip you with valuable intercultural skills. In 2023, the university had an enrollment of 13,918 students, out of which 9,032 students comprised of international students. Asians constitute the second-highest overseas population at LSE.

Gaining admission to the London School of Economics and Political Science is a competitive process, but with careful planning and a strong application, you can increase your chances of success. Here's a breakdown of the key steps:

Eligibility Criteria

International students applying to the Graduate School of LSE must meet the following criteria before applying:

• To be considered for admission to a taught master’s program (one-year master’s degree), LSE requires a bachelor’s degree (BA, BSc, BCom, or BTEch) awarded after a minimum of three years of study, with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.5/4, 5.5/7, 6.5/8, 7.5/9 or 8.5/10.
• Demonstrate English proficiency by taking the IELTS, TOEFL, or Cambridge English exams. The minimum requirement for IELTS is 7.0, for TOEFL iBT it is 100, and for Cambridge English exams is 185. For most courses, LSE does not require a GRE or GMAT course. However, check with your program.
• Write a compelling personal statement, demonstrating your academic achievements, relevant skills, and motivations for choosing the program. Moreover, submit two LORs (not mandatory). For this, reach out to professors who know your academic highlights.
• Submit a CV, portfolio, or other work samples if required by your program.

Admission Policy

When applying for admission to a graduate program at LSE, you can expect the following process:

• Head to the Graduate Admissions portal.
• Peruse through the list of programs available and select yours.
• Go through the prerequisites (GPA requirements, need for LORs and SOP, English language requirements, and scores for standardized tests.)
• Prepare and gather all the required documents.
• Register for an account on the applicant portal.
• Fill out the application form, pay the application fee, and submit the required documents.
• Attend an interview if requested.
• After due review, you will receive a confirmation email if you are selected.

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Getting into the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) for a graduate program is competitive, so aiming for a strong application is crucial. Here are some tips to help you increase your chances:

Tip 1: Research Thoroughly: Have a clear vision of the professional career path you wish to pursue. Merely assessing the syllabus is insufficient. Make sure you have the information needed for budgeting, career alternatives, the range of jobs, living overseas, and other areas. 

Tip 2: Be Organized: Do thorough research regarding the application requirements, the deadlines, the need for references, additional tests, and whether or not interviews are mandatory. Consult someone trustworthy to proofread your statement, give feedback, and make possible changes.

Tip 3: Demonstrate Relevant Experience: Highlight any work experience, research projects, or volunteer work that demonstrates your interest in the chosen field and aligns with the program's focus.

Having discussed some tips, read on to learn about some hurdles that you might encounter during your decision to study at LSE.

As an international student, there may be times when you feel overwhelmed. Peruse some common difficulties that you might face while studying and living at the London School.

LSE expects exceptional academic performance from all applicants, regardless of their nationality. This includes strong grades in relevant subjects, a good overall academic record, and potentially, participation in academic competitions or research projects.

• International students need to demonstrate proficiency in English through standardized tests like IELTS or TOEFL. For someone who is not a native English speaker, scoring highly in one attempt might not be possible, and be an extra time and cost burden.
• Adjusting to a new country, culture, and academic system can be challenging for international students. This includes finding accommodation, navigating unfamiliar surroundings, and potentially facing cultural differences.
• Studying at LSE can be expensive. International students need to consider tuition fees, living expenses, and other costs associated with studying abroad. Scholarships and financial aid are available, but competition can be fierce.

To tackle these challenges, the LSE offers various support programs for international students. Moreover, the student organizations are diverse and you can always find your community there. Research, explore, and embrace the process!

There are two main cost components to consider when attending LSE as an international graduate student:

• Tuition: A taught master’s program (one-year master’s degree) will range between GBP 25,920 – 42,384 / INR 27,17,500 - 44,43,620; while a two-year master’s degree will range between GBP 58,128 – 70,256 / INR 60,94,250 - 73,65,780. Some programs might have slightly different tuition fees. You can find the specific fee for your chosen program on the LSE website under the program information section.

• Living Expenses: LSE estimates that international students should budget around GBP 1,300 - 1,400 / INR 1,36,300 - 1,46,780 per month for living expenses, including accommodation, travel, food, laundry, study materials, and other personal expenses. Remember that this is just an estimate, and your actual expenses may vary depending on your lifestyle choices and accommodation type.

The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) offers several scholarships for international students for graduate programs. Here are some of the options:

• LSE Taught Master's Scholarships for International Students: This scholarship is worth GBP 41,666 / INR 43,68,350 towards the tuition fees and living costs of an international student.
• Programme-related funding: Some LSE departments and programs offer their scholarships and bursaries. You can find information about program-related funding on the website of the department or program you are interested in.

Alongside these scholarships offered by LSE, there are some external scholarships that you may be eligible for. These scholarships are offered by a variety of organizations, including governments, foundations, and charities. Indian students can particularly avail the benefits of the following scholarships:

• Inlaks Foundation Scholarship: Since 1976, Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarships have been granted to Indian students to read at top-rated American, UK, and European institutions in full-time Master’s, MPhil, or Doctoral programs. A maximum amount of USD 100,000 / INR 82,84,640 is awarded.
• JN Tata Endowment Scholarship: Set up by Jamsetji Tata, this scholarship is to encourage more Indian students to pursue their education in world-class institutions.
• Lady Meherbai Tata Education Trust: The trust awards scholarships to Indian women graduates of recognized universities to pursue higher education abroad.
• Marchant Foundation LLM Scholarship: Awarded to a full-time LLM (Master of Laws) student, a sum of  GBP 10,000 / INR 10,48,590 is given based on financial need.

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Admission deadlines for graduate programs at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) vary depending on the program and funding options. Here's a summary:

• Applications for entry in 2024/25 opened on October 9, 2023.

• MSc programs offered by the Department of Economics operate on a rolling admissions process, meaning there are no specific deadlines, and programs close once full. However, there might be a brief window when a program shows "Limited Availability" before it closes.
• The last date for applications to be received for full consideration for most programs was January 31, 2024.

The following programs are still accepting applications for September 2024 entry:

• BSc International Relations and Chinese
• BSc Language, Culture, and Society

Deadlines for research funding:

• December 1, 2023: Law School research programs
• December 14, 2023: MRes/PhD Economics
• January 15, 2024: First funding deadline (including ESRC)
• April 25, 2024: Final funding deadline

It's important to note that these are just general deadlines. It's always best to check the specific program you're interested in for the most up-to-date information.

The London School of Economics and Political Science is the alma mater of students from 150+ countries. LSE graduates are at the global forefront of development in their fields and are constantly in demand by governments, public policy offices, businesses, and media all over the world. Hopefully, this blog strengthened your decision and confidence to apply to LSE!

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