LSE Admissions – How To Apply in 2024 Entry

The London School of Economics and Political Science, or more commonly known as LSE, is one of the UK’s leading universities and is also part of the Russel Group. The LSE admission process, whilst based through UCAS, is nonetheless extremely competitive, and your LSE application needs to be of the highest standard. LSE admissions can often seem overwhelming and stressful, so we have compiled some useful tips and information to help you understand the process of applying to the university. The 2024 intake will me more competitive than ever.

Contents

London School Of Economics

LSE Admission

Undergraduate Admissions

Postgraduate Admissions

The LSE Admissions Process

Entry Requirements

LSE Personal Statement

LSE Application Deadline 2022

Acceptance Rate

Bonus: Tips For Success

The university was established in 1895 by four individuals who wanted to inspire students to pursue positive social change and reform during a time of great industrial, political, and social change. The university has kept true to its founders’ initial intentions and has maintained this tradition throughout its 125-year history. Indeed, the university specialises in social science and is thus the perfect location for those wishing to gain the necessary skills and knowledge required to enact positive change in the world.

One of the most attractive features of the London School of Economics is its location. The campus is based in Westminster, right at the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic and cosmopolitan cities. If accepted, you will study next to the buildings which hold the offices of some of the world’s leading businesses. It truly is an incredible place. The fact that the university is surrounded by leading businesses is one of the main reason so many international students apply. Indeed, more than half of its students come from overseas, contributing to rich and diverse student life. Contending with applications from both the UK and abroad, the LSE application process is incredibly competitive.

The London School of Economics prides itself on being one of the best universities in the UK, working hard to maintain high academic standards of both its students and staff and ensuring excellent research facilities. Uniquely, courses offer the chance for students to be involved in real research projects during their time at the university. You may therefore have the opportunity to contribute to important and world-leading research studying in London. 

The courses offered are all of the highest standard but extremely competitive. To make sure you don’t trip up on any avoidable mistakes, thoroughly read through the guidance on the university’s website on the LSE application process, taking care to note any specific requirements of your chosen course.

In 2019, the London School of Economics received over 21,000 applications for 1,600 places. To stand out, you need to demonstrate that you will not only be able to cope with the academic rigour demanded by studying at the university but that you will also contribute to student life. Student life here is vibrant, full of exciting societies and other sporting opportunities. During the LSE application process, think about what extracurricular activities you do, and mention these in your personal statement.  LSE admissions tutors will want to see that you can bring more than just academic skills to the table, although these are absolutely crucial in securing a place.

The Master’s programmes offer exciting opportunities for students to continue their academic careers and develop exceptional skills for their professional development. Check to see the specific Master’s requirements for your course.

You will be able to keep track of your university application online through the LSE application portal and tracker, to keep up to date on the status of your application or offer.

For undergraduate study, you will apply through UCAS, submitting the same personal statement, references, and application form to all your chosen universities. This is the material the university will use to assess your application and see whether or not you are a suitable candidate. Do not send admissions tutors more than they asked for. With thousands upon thousands of LSE applications to read and process, they will not have time to read unnecessary supporting documents.

Make sure you have thoroughly researched the course you are applying for. Most programmes require students to have studied specific subjects beforehand – check to see whether this applies to your chosen course and if you have the necessary qualifications to be a valid applicant. Check the grade requirements too. The London School of Economics is an academically demanding university and so expects the highest standards from both applicants and students. Different universities, whilst offering the same subject, have vastly different modules. Is it the right course for you? You want to make sure that you will find the next three or four years interesting!

The London School of Economics attracts the best students from both the UK and around the world. The LSE application and admissions process are therefore extremely competitive. Most courses will have relatively high entry requirements. Bear this in mind.

Are you an international student? You may need a certificate to demonstrate your English language proficiency.

Although you will be sending the same personal statement to all of your university choices through UCAS if the London School of Economics is your top choice you can reference particular topics of interest that you know come up in the modules. Whilst it is not sensible to directly address your statement to the university specifically (as this will indicate to the other universities you are applying to that they are not your first choice), have a thorough look at the course and module descriptions. Are there any topics which you are particularly interested in studying? Weave your academic interests into your personal statement to demonstrate the kind of intellectual curiosity the LSE admissions tutors are looking for.

Writing a personal statement can be daunting and stressful – this is the only chance you have to show the admissions team why they should accept you out of the thousands of applications they receive every year. It is therefore important to make sure you carefully plan and research your personal statement.

Your personal statement cannot be more than 4,000 characters, including spaces. Therefore, you need to carefully choose your words. But don’t panic! The best thing to do is draft and rewrite your personal statement several times, making sure that you demonstrate your academic abilities, personal interests, and passion for your chosen subject.

Whilst it is good to research and undertake wider reading to enhance your personal statement, do not plagiarise! This is imperative. Universities use advanced software which will detect the smallest similarity between your statement, something on the internet, or a statement previously submitted. If any are found, your whole application is at risk of being rejected.

If English is not your first language, we recommend using our editing services to make sure your personal statement shines and stands out for all the right reasons.

Due to the highly competitive nature of LSE applications, there is no room for grammatical error, so make sure you proofread! Proofread several times, then ask a parent or teacher to proofread themselves.

The final LSE application deadline is the same as UCAS, so this depends on exactly what course you are taking. Make sure you have prepared yourself fully and know when the application deadline for your course is.

However, it is worth bearing in mind that the university recommends applying early given the intense competition amongst applicants every year.

Make sure you have not forgotten to submit all the required documents.

Once you have submitted your application, do not panic if you don’t receive any news straight away. Due to the number of applicants, the admissions team say that you may have to wait for around 8 weeks to hear back on the status of your application.

The acceptance rate of applicants receiving an offer at the undergraduate level are roughly 1 in 6. This improves slightly to 1 in 4 at postgraduate level. Why is this? Many of the students who apply are attracted by their programmes in Economics, Politics, and Finance. It is no surprise therefore that these are the degrees on these subjects are the most competitive. Grade requirements for many of the courses, as a result, are comparatively high to similar degrees at other universities. Candidates are more likely to receive an offer if they have strong A-Level subjects relevant to the course they are applying for. Whilst part of its charm and unique character is its size, as a smaller university than others, this naturally limits the possible yearly intake.

When writing your personal statement, you want to make it completely clear that you are genuinely interested in the subject you are applying for. You can do this by talking about any wider reading you have done to expand your knowledge on the subject – this is recommended. Also, make sure that you include any internships or work experience where you learnt transferrable skills. This will give the LSE admission tutors an indication of your strengths and character.

Be realistic about your application. The London School of Economics and Political Science have an incredibly high reputation which they wish to maintain. They expect the top academic achievers, so make sure that you fit the entry requirement for the course you want to apply for.

Finally, be confident. Whilst arrogance is a big turn off for LSE admission tutors, confidently demonstrating your passion for the subject, as well as your skills and best characteristics, will show that you are not afraid of challenges, and will approach your studies with a positive and conscientious attitude.