Department of Law

Programme Name

UCAS Code

Applications 2015

Places 2015

Standard A level offer

Standard IB offer

Essential Qualifications

LLB Bachelor of Laws

M100

2,639

170

A*AA (including A* in a generally preferred subject)

38 points with 7,6,6 at HL

A fourth subject at AS (if taking A levels)

1. What qualifications does LSE look for? 

(a) Subject combinations

There is no ideal subject combination for Law. The selectors are looking for evidence of academic excellence, scholarly potential and curiosity. As with all programmes at LSE at least two traditional academic subjects are preferred: potential applicants are referred to the general advice on subject combinations and non-preferred subjects in the Undergraduate Prospectus.

The study of Law requires a significant amount of reading, research and attention to detail, so a high level of literacy is expected and this is often evidenced by an applicant's choice of post-16 subjects. Applicants offering mostly quantitative subjects at A level should demonstrate their ability to cope with these aspects of the course through their personal statement, teacher’s reference, extra-curricular activities or performance in GCSE or equivalent qualifications. 

(b) Academic profile (predicted and achieved grades)

Successful applicants for this programme are usually predicted A*AA in their A level examinations. At IB we ask for 38 points with 7,6,6 at Higher Level. For other international qualifications please see below.  AS grades are also taken into consideration as these give the selectors a clear indication of your ability to satisfy the minimum entry requirement of A*AA at A level.

We look for excellent GCSE grades including the majority at A* and A. The Law selectors consider not just the number of top GCSE grades that you have, but also your overall GCSE subject profile. If you are currently following an A level or IB programme but have not previously studied a GCSE curriculum, you should still list your most recent school leaving qualifications in the relevant section of the UCAS form.

The Law selectors also consider applicants offering other UK qualifications, such as Scottish Highers, Access to HE or Foundation Courses or BTECs. For further information please see the general Entry Requirements.

Applicants who already have or a predicted to obtain a first undergraduate degree should have a compelling reason for applying to an LLB after their first degree.

Please remember, applicants who are predicted to meet our standard entry requirements are not automatically guaranteed an offer; much will depend on other factors such as commitment to the Undergraduate study of Law, as outlined in the personal statement.

The selectors have the discretion, in exceptional circumstances, to vary the standard A level or IB offer, if they feel it is appropriate to do so.   

2. Which international qualifications are accepted? 

A wide range of international qualifications are accepted in lieu of A levels, for example the IB Diploma, American College Board Advanced Placement exams (AP), the Irish Leaving Certificate (ILC), the European Baccalaureate (EB), the French Baccalaureate (FB), the Abitur and Canadian and Australian High School Diplomas.

In addition strong applicants with other international qualifications may be asked to sit the LSE UG Admissions Assessment (UGAA). This allows LSE to see examples of written English as produced in examination conditions and it is particularly useful where school certification is not based upon a standardised national curriculum. The UGAA, which comprises a précis section, an essay section and a mathematics section, can be taken at any recognised centre anywhere in the world, without any financial cost.

For more information on the international qualifications please see the country-by-country guide.

3. What is looked for in the Personal Statement? 

The LSE Department of Law does not routinely interview applicants as part of the decision making process, hence the Personal Statement plays a key role in the application process. General guidance on how to structure your Personal Statement is available on our Admissions Criteria website by following the link to the personal statement section. You are strongly advised to make use of this information prior to submitting your application, although as with your predicted grades, simply following the guidelines will not automatically guarantee that you will be made an offer.

An original and interesting statement which outlines your enthusiasm and motivation for the study of Law is expected. You may wish to reflect on any wider reading or experiences that have motivated you to apply to or prepared you for the course, and include your views on current legal issues. Your statement should also demonstrate your ability to produce clear and concise text.

The selectors are keen to know why you wish to study Law, whether there are any aspects of particular interest to you, how it relates to your current academic programme and what additional reading or relevant experiences (e.g. attending court hearings) you have had which have led you to commit to this challenging degree programme.

The main focus of your statement should be programme specific, as more importance is attached to your academic strengths than extra-curricular activities. If you do include details of activities such as such as music, drama, charitable or sporting involvement, the selectors are particularly interested in knowing how you have benefited from these. 

Personal characteristics and skills that will be useful to students in their study of Law will include the ability to apply logic and follow complex lines of reasoning; high levels of accuracy and attention to detail; good communication skills; and the ability to ask questions and think independently. In addition you should possess intellectual curiosity and have the motivation and capacity for hard work.

4. What is LSE's deferred entry policy? 

Applications for deferred entry are considered by the Department of Law.

If you have already planned to take a gap year you are advised to explain in your personal statement how you intend to spend it and how it will benefit you.

If, after submitting your application, you subsequently decide that you wish to take a gap year and commence your programme at LSE a year later than originally planned, you should contact the undergraduate admissions office with your request. However, no guarantees can be given that you will automatically be allowed to defer your entry, and the selectors reserve the right to refuse your request to be considered for a deferred entry place.

If you are unsuccessful in securing an offer for deferred entry before you have completed your A level (or equivalent) examinations, you may apply again in the following cycle once your results are known.

5. Do you consider mature applicants/applicants with non-standard qualifications? 

Yes we do, applications from mature applicants or those with non-standard qualifications are welcome. Mature applicants often benefit from a range of experiences which make them well-suited to a study of Law  and we are interested to hear about these in your personal statement. For general guidance, see the school’s Information for Older Applicants webpage.

Please note that, depending on the qualifications offered, you may be asked to sit the School's UG Admissions Assessment (AGAA) and/or be invited for an interview.  The UGAA, which comprises a précis section, an essay section and a mathematics section, can be taken at any recognised centre anywhere in the world, without any financial cost. For more information, including past papers, visit the UGAA web pages.

6. What should I do if my circumstances change after I've submitted my UCAS form?  

We expect all relevant information to be provided on your UCAS form. However, we recognise that in a few cases, your family, personal or educational circumstances may change.

If you are affected by any changes such as revised predicted grades, illness or disruption to your education you should contact the undergraduate admissions office who will be able to offer you further advice.

7. Where can I find out more information about the course? 

You can read about the structure and content of the LLB Law on the LLB course information page and the Department of Law website. See also BSc Anthropology and Law.