Undergraduate
Entry requirements vary by programme, and are listed on the individual undergraduate degree programme webpages. We express our standard offers in terms of GCE A levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB), but we consider a range of qualifications.
Below we have listed our various A level grade requirements and their equivalency in the Advanced Placement (AP) tests. Please note that the US High School Diploma by itself (without AP courses) is not sufficient for entry to LSE.
US AP equivalency
|
A level grade
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LSE Advanced Placement requirements
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A*AA, AAA
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Grades 5555 in four preferred Advanced Placements
AND EITHER
Grade 5 in one further preferred Advanced Placement
OR
Grade 5 in two non-preferred Advanced Placements.
Subjects may be specified as part of an offer.
|
|
AAB
|
Grades 555 in three preferred Advanced Placements
AND EITHER
Grade 5 in one further preferred Advanced Placement
OR
Grade 5 in two non-preferred Advanced Placements.
Subjects may be specified as part of an offer.
|
|
Maths A*/A
|
Calculus BC grade 5
|
LSE divides Advanced Placement subjects into two groups - preferred and non-preferred. These generally reflect the AP Development Committees recommended university-semester equivalencies, with some exceptions to reflect the admissions preferences of LSE.
Advanced Placement subjects accepted for entry by LSE
US Advanced Diploma subjects
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Preferred
|
Non-Preferred
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Art History
Biology
Calculus AB or BC (however please note that Calculus BC will be required where Maths A*/A is a requirement of the programme)
Chemistry
Chinese language and culture
English language and composition
English literature and composition
European History
French language and culture
German language and culture
Human Geography and Environmental Science
Italian language and culture
Japanese language and culture
Latin: Virgil
Macroeconomics and Microeconomics
Physics 1 or Physics 2 or Physics B
Spanish language and culture
Spanish literature and culture
United States History
US Gov & Pol and Comp. Gov & Politics
World History
|
Comparative Government & Politics
Computer Science A
Environmental Science
Human Geography
Macroeconomics
Microeconomics
Music Theory
Physics C Electricity & Magnetism
Physics C Mechanics
Psychology
Statistics
Studio art (2-D design portfolio) or (3-D design portfolio) or (drawing portfolio)
United States Government & Politics
|
Cambridge Capstone Program
LSE does not consider this programme as part of its minimum entry requirements for American AP exams.
The SAT Reasoning Test (formally called Scholastic Aptitude Tests)
The SAT Reasoning Test does not form part of any entry requirement for LSE programmes.
The ACT (American College Testing)
The ACT does not form part of any entry requirement for LSE programmes.
Students applying from an American university
Students applying from American universities should have a minimum GPA above 3.2 and preferably a 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale), or above 4.0 (on a 5.0 scale), or a minimum average of 80 per cent overall.
Accepted international qualifications
Whilst not an exhaustive list, the following are international qualifications with which applicants may be eligible for consideration by LSE:
• A University of London International Programmes qualification
• A foundation programme (See EducationUK for more detail)
Applicants offered a place on the basis of a foundation programme or university studies may be asked to sit the Undergraduate Admissions Assessment (UGAA).
Competition for places
Please note that, due to the intense competition for places, meeting or exceeding the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee admission. In addition to the general entry requirements, applicants should also refer to the individual undergraduate degree programme descriptions, especially for quantitative programmes, where the advanced study of Mathematics up to school-leaving age is often required.
Find out how to apply. Note that the closing date for applications is 15 January in the year that you hope to start at LSE.
Study Abroad (The General Course)
Applicants to LSE’s year-long study abroad programme, the General Course, should usually have completed at least two years of university level study by the time they join the School. Applicants should have a GPA of at least 3.3/4 for acceptance to qualitative courses (anthropology, political science, sociology etc.) or at least 3.5/4 for quantitative courses (economics, mathematics and statistics).
Graduate
Master's (MSc/MA/MPA/LLM)
To be considered for admission to a master's programme we require a bachelor's degree with a GPA of 3.5 on a 4 point scale, or 4.3 on a 5 point scale or 85 per cent overall.
This is our general minimum requirement; however, some programmes have specific requirements in terms of degree result required and subject background. Many of our quantitative programmes also require that a GRE or GMAT score is submitted. Please see the individual graduate degree programme descriptions for specific programme requirements and information about the application process.
Research (MPhil/MRes/PhD)
To be considered for a place on a research programme we require a two year master's degree with a GPA of 3.5/4.0, 4.3/5.0, or 85 per cent overall.