The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is one of the world’s leading universities for economics, finance, law, politics and the social sciences, and it’s very competitive. In 2026 it received about 34,000 undergraduate applications for around 1,900 places. Some programmes are even tougher: in 2025, BSc Economics had 2,885 applications for 217 places, and the LLB Bachelor of Laws had 3,102 applications for 193 places, about 16 for every place. LSE is also very international, and it sets separate numbers of places for UK and overseas students on each programme.
There’s good news if you’re reading this in autumn 2026: unlike Oxford and Cambridge, LSE’s deadline for September 2027 entry is 13 January 2027, so there’s still time to apply. LSE also works quite differently from Oxford, Cambridge and US universities. It doesn’t interview, it doesn’t look much at extracurricular activities, and it decides mainly on your grades, your personal statement, your teacher’s reference and, for some programmes, an admissions test. Here are 10 things you can do to give yourself the best chance, based on LSE’s own guidance. If you’re applying for a master’s or PhD instead, see the section near the end.
1. Choose your programmes carefully
LSE offers a wide range of undergraduate programmes, from Economics, Finance and Accounting to International Relations, Law, Philosophy, Politics, Geography and Data Science. You can apply to more than one LSE programme through UCAS, but you only write one personal statement, so LSE advises choosing programmes that are closely related. Each programme page shows how many people applied and how many places there were last year, so check the competition before you choose.
2. Aim for top grades, especially in maths if you need it
LSE’s standard offers are usually between A*AA and AAB at A level, or 37 to 39 points in the IB with 666 to 776 at Higher Level, depending on the programme. Economics, for example, asks for A*AA with an A* in Mathematics, or 39 points with 766 at Higher Level and 7 in Maths. Many programmes need A level Mathematics or IB Maths: Analysis and Approaches, and LSE prefers traditional academic subjects. Students with US qualifications usually need at least five AP subjects taken over a maximum of three years. If your school-leaving certificate isn’t accepted for direct entry, you may need a foundation programme or a year of university first. Meeting the standard offer doesn’t guarantee a place. LSE entry requirements.
3. Read widely about your subject and the world
LSE wants students who are curious about how economies, societies, laws and governments work. Follow the news, read serious books and articles about your subject, and listen to podcasts and public lectures; LSE itself publishes many free talks and podcasts online. Think about what you read and form your own views, because this is what will make your personal statement stand out. LSE’s programme pages describe the skills they look for, such as logical thinking, independent thinking, intellectual curiosity and communication.
4. Take the TMUA or LNAT if your programme needs it
Most LSE programmes have no admissions test, but some do:
- TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admission) is required for BSc Economics and BSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics, and recommended for several maths and statistics programmes. Only your first sitting in the cycle counts. The October sitting has passed, but you can still take it on 4 to 8 January 2027; booking closes on 21 December 2026.
- LNAT (National Admissions Test for Law) is required for the LLB. For 2027 entry you must sit it by 31 December 2026.
Some applicants with less common qualifications may also be invited to take LSE’s own Undergraduate Admissions Assessment (UGAA) in late March, an online test with an essay and maths questions. You don’t apply for it: LSE will contact you if it’s needed. LSE and the TMUA.
5. Write a strong personal statement
Because LSE doesn’t interview, your personal statement is especially important. The UCAS statement has three questions: why you want to study the course, how your studies have prepared you, and what else you’ve done to prepare outside education. You have 4,000 characters in total, with at least 350 for each answer. Focus on your academic interest: what you’ve read, the issues and debates that interest you, and what you think about them. If you’re applying for a quantitative programme and taking a gap year, explain how you’ll keep your maths up to date.
6. Get a strong teacher reference
Your UCAS reference helps LSE understand your achievements in context. It should describe you as a student, explain your predicted grades and mention any circumstances that affected your studies. Ask your teachers early, give them a summary of your interests and achievements, and make sure your school knows LSE’s January deadline.
7. Apply by 13 January 2027, but don’t rush
LSE’s deadline for September 2027 entry is 6pm UK time on 13 January 2027. Applications after that date are only considered if places are left, which is rare. All applications received by the deadline are treated equally, so applying in October won’t improve your chances over applying in January. Use the time to make your application as good as possible. LSE sends decisions from November until 12 May 2027. LSE doesn’t take part in UCAS Extra or Clearing. LSE admissions calendar.
8. Meet the English language requirement after your offer
You don’t need an English test to apply. If English isn’t your first language and you’re not exempt, your offer will ask you to prove your level by 30 July 2027. LSE asks for IELTS Academic 7.0 overall with at least 7.0 in each part, TOEFL iBT 100 (with minimum section scores), or 5.5 on the new TOEFL scale used from January 2026, or PTE Academic 70 with 70 in every part, each from a single sitting. Test dates often fill up by July, and LSE can’t defer your offer because of a missed English test, so take it early. Practise with our free IELTS, TOEFL and PTE practice tests. LSE English requirements.
9. Plan your budget for London
For 2027 entry, LSE’s overseas tuition fees range from about £30,400 a year (BA History) to £41,900 a year (BSc Economics), with the LLB at £37,500. LSE fixes your fee at the same level for every year of your programme. London is also one of the most expensive cities in the UK to live in, so plan carefully for rent and living costs. International students can’t get UK government loans. For help:
- The LSE Undergraduate Support Scheme gives need-based awards to overseas-fee students, usually £15,000 to £25,000 a year, renewable each year. LSE receives many more applications than it can fund.
- LSE also offers some scholarships for overseas students, some of them for particular countries or regions. Check LSE’s fees and funding pages.
10. Prepare for your Student visa
Most international students need a UK Student visa. Once you’ve accepted LSE as your firm choice, met your offer conditions and sent certified copies of your qualifications, LSE will issue your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), usually from late June. You then apply for your visa and show that you can pay your fees and living costs. After you graduate, you can usually stay in the UK to work under the Graduate Route, which is due to be shortened from two years to 18 months for applications made from 1 January 2027. Check GOV.UK for the latest rules.
Applying for a master’s or PhD at LSE?
LSE is especially well known for its one-year master’s degrees. You apply directly to LSE, not through UCAS, and many programmes review applications in rounds, so applying early helps. Most ask for a strong first degree (usually a UK upper-second-class degree or the equivalent, and often higher), a statement of academic purpose, references and, for some programmes, the GRE or GMAT. See our 50 sample SOPs and free GRE and GMAT practice tests.
Be ambitious, but apply to a balanced list
LSE turns down thousands of strong students every year, simply because there are far more excellent applicants than places. Apply if you want to, and give it your best effort, but use your other UCAS choices for universities where your chances are good. If you’re considering other top UK universities, read our guides on getting into Oxford and getting into Cambridge. Our guide to studying in the UK explains how UK universities work, and our free study abroad assessment can help you build a shortlist.
Information was taken from LSE’s official undergraduate admissions, programme, English language and fees pages, and checked in October 2026. Admissions rules, deadlines, tests, fees and visa rules can change, so always confirm the details on LSE’s undergraduate website before you apply. StudyAbroadMarket is not affiliated with the London School of Economics and Political Science.