Introducing LSE
University of the Year 2025
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is a world-leading specialist social science university, founded by social reformers in 1895 for "the betterment of society". Today the School is regularly ranked both top university in London and a top university for research quality and impact. LSE was named University of the Year by the Good University Guide 2025.
League tables and university rankings
- First in the UK and awarded University of the Year 2025 by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.
- First in London and sixth in the world in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024: Social Sciences and Management.
- First in London in the Guardian Best UK Universities Guide 2025 for the fifth consecutive year.
- First in London, for the 14th year running, in the Complete University Guide 2026.
Our founding purpose and ambition today
LSE's motto "rerum cognoscere causas" means "to know the causes of things". It was chosen to support the School's founding purpose, "for the betterment of society". LSE opened in 1895. Our founders were social reformers Beatrice and Sidney Webb, Graham Wallas and dramatist George Bernard Shaw.
Our ambition today is to be the leading social science university with the greatest global impact. Led by our President and Vice Chancellor, our lays out the guiding principles that will help us achieve our goals and shape the world’s future.
International outlook
LSE is a global community of people and ideas in the heart of central London. We are committed to building a vibrant, equitable and truly inclusive environment for staff and students from all over the world.
We have partnerships with globally renowned universities spanning Europe, Africa, America and Asia including CIVICA - The European University of Social Sciences.
In the UK, we are part of the Russell Group, the Aspect social science research commercialisation network, and SHAPE – Social sciences, Humanities and the Arts for People and the Economy.
An LSE education
We help students prepare for bright futures in world-changing roles.
A rigorous social science education is designed to stretch students intellectually through specialist undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, executive education, online learning and summer schools.
LSE students are members of one of the largest economic and social science in the world. Initiatives such as LSE LIFE, the PhD Academy, Careers, Volunteering and Generate provide academic, personal and professional support for students too. The student-led Houghton Street Press is one of many ways LSE students engage with the world.
Better keep yourself clean and bright; you are the window through which you must see the world
Research and society
LSE academics conduct social science research that makes a lasting impact on society. This means students are taught by academics that regularly advise international bodies and governments, and who are also vocal in the media on current news.
The 2021 , a national evaluation exercise, ranked LSE as a top university for research quality and impact. We're continuously expanding our research horizon to reflect and aid the changing society around us.
You can find out more about how LSE research shapes the world through:
- Reading expert analysis and debate from over 60 LSE blogs
- Taking in films and podcasts at the
- Browsing the latest LSE research articles at our online magazine Research for the World
- Attending one of the most extensive and distinguished university free public lecture and event series in the world and annual LSE Festival
- Signing up to one of our LSE newsletters, for the latest research, news and events.
Browse our top facts and figures in LSE at a glance.