We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students and want to recruit students with the very best academic merit, potential and motivation, irrespective of their background. The programme guidance below should be read alongside our general entrance requirements information.
We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account all the information presented on the UCAS application form, including your:
- academic achievement (including predicted and achieved grades)
- subject combinations
- personal statement
- teacher’s reference
- educational circumstances
You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency, although you do not need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE. See our English language requirements page.
What we are looking for in an application for BSc Economic History with Economics
Academic achievement
Successful applicants for this programme are usually predicted to achieve or have already achieved a minimum of A A B in their A-levels, with an A in Mathematics (or 37 and above International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB) points, with 6 6 6 in Higher level subjects, including Mathematics). Applicants should also have studied at least one essay-based subject (see notes below about subject combinations).
Applicants should also have already achieved a strong set of GCSE grades including the majority at A (or 7) and A* (or 8-9), or equivalent. Your GCSE (or equivalent) English Language and Mathematics grades should be no lower than B (or 6). We also consider your overall GCSE subject profile, and your AS grades, if available.
Competition for places at the School is high. This means that even if you are predicted or if you achieve the grades that meet our usual standard offer, this will not guarantee you an offer of admission. Usual standard offers are intended only as a guide, and in some cases applicants will be asked for grades which differ from this.
We express our standard offers and, where applicable, programme requirements, in terms of A-levels and the IB, but we consider applications from students with a range of qualifications including BTECs, Foundation Courses and Access to HE Diplomas as well as a wide range of international qualifications.
Information about accepted international qualifications
Information about other accepted UK qualifications
Subject combinations
We consider the combination of subjects you have taken, as well as the individual scores. We believe a broad mix of traditional academic subjects to be the best preparation for studying at LSE and expect applicants to have at least two full A-levels or equivalent in these subjects.
For the BSc Economic History with Economics, we are looking for academic students with a flair for social sciences, and many applicants will be studying subjects such as History, Economics, Government and/or Geography. There is no one ideal subject combination, but A level Mathematics or equivalent is required, and one essay-based subject is desirable. Economics and modern foreign languages are considered to be essay writing subjects in addition to the preferred humanities and social science subjects.
For this programme, we are happy to consider applicants who have taken Mathematics, Further Mathematics and an essay writing subject at A-level.
The majority of applicants for this programme will have studied either Economics or History, in some form, as part of their sixth-form curriculum, although, these are not required subjects. Other subjects which appear as common post-16 choices are Further Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry.
Find out more about subject combinations.
Personal characteristics, skills and attributes
For this programme, we are looking for students who demonstrate the following skills:
- an interest in history and awareness of the links between history, economics and social change
- an ability to be flexible in approaching problems
- an ability to think independently
- an ability to apply logic and draw reasoned and balanced conclusions
- strong statistical competence
- ability to follow complex lines of mathematical reasoning
- good communication skills
- intellectual curiosity
- motivation and capacity for hard work
- a proportionate interest in economics and economic history (ie, with economics as the minor subject)
Personal statement
In addition to demonstrating the above personal characteristics, skills and attributes, your statement should be original, interesting and well-written and should outline your enthusiasm and motivation for the programme.
You should explain whether there are any aspects of particular interest to you, how this relates to your current academic studies and what additional reading or relevant experiences you have had which have led you to apply. We are interested to hear your own thoughts or ideas on the topics you have encountered through your exploration of the subject at school or through other activities. Some suggestions for preliminary reading can be found above in the preliminary reading section, but there is no set list of activities we look for; instead we look for students who have made the most of the opportunities available to them to deepen their knowledge and understanding of their intended programme of study.
You can also mention extra-curricular activities such as sport, the arts or volunteering or any work experience you have undertaken. However, the main focus of an undergraduate degree at LSE is the in-depth academic study of a subject and we expect the majority of your personal statement to be spent discussing your academic interests.
Please also see our general guidance about writing personal statements.