Auditing in the Department of Methodology
Auditing in the Department of Methodology allows someone to attend lectures and seminars of certain courses if space allows but without submitting assessed coursework or sitting an exam. As the course is not taken for credit, details of audited courses do not appear on transcripts.
To attend a seminar group as an auditor, you must apply for a place. Auditing places will only be allocated if space permits. We expect auditors to attend all seminars where possible to avoid disruption to teaching.
This page only applies to the auditing of Methodology courses.
How can I apply to audit a course?
Registered LSE MSc students and staff should apply by filling out the online form(s) below during the application periods. Research students should apply to audit on LfY.
Apply to audit Winter Term courses
(The link will be valid during the application period)
What is the application timeline?
There are two application periods across the year.
Autumn Term
The Autumn Term application period has ended.
You will hear from us via email the result of Autumn Term courses during the week of 13 October 2025.
Winter Term
You can apply from Monday 12 January 2026 until Friday 23 January 2026. You can apply to audit any Winter Term courses.
If you have already submitted the application for WT courses in September/October 2025, there is no need to apply again in January 2026.
You will hear from us via email the result of Winter Term courses during the week of 2 February 2026.
We allocate auditing places after the course selection period and we appreciate your patience.
In the meantime, you are welcome to attend lectures and seminars, but please bear in mind that you will need to give up the seminar seat to any students taking the course for credit or if the group is full.
We will let you know the results as soon as possible after the course selection period.
Our priority will always be students taking a course for credit. If we have spaces available in the seminars after the course selection period, we will offer places to auditors.
Auditing places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and we cannot guarantee auditing places.
I only intend to attend the lecture, but not the seminar.
You do not need to seek permission to audit lectures only for Methodology courses.
Students are welcome to attend lectures in person (if space allows) or access the passive parts of our courses, i.e., recorded lectures on Moodle and any self-directed exercises. All Methodology Moodle pages are open-access, and lecture recordings will be posted there.
I am an LSE MRes/Research student; how should I apply to audit?
Registered LSE MRes/Research students should apply to audit Methodology courses via LSE For You by marking them as 'audit' in the final step when composing your 'Student Statement'. There is no need to fill out the online form.
I am not an LSE student; can I still apply to audit?
Non-LSE students are permitted to audit courses only when they register as an Intercollegiate Student, if eligible.
The course(s) that I am interested in auditing are not included in the application form.
Unfortunately, that means they are not open to auditors due to course design. You are welcome to attend the lecture (if space allows) or visit the Moodle page.
When and where are the seminars?
Please refer to the timetable information page for the lecture and seminar details. If you are an auditor, the lecture and seminar will not appear on your personal timetable.
Can I indicate my preference for the seminar group?
As we cannot guarantee places in any seminar group, there is no need to indicate a preference. Please also bear in mind that there may be limited flexibility in changing the seminar groups after allocation.
I have changed my mind and want to stop auditing.
Please email methodology.admin@lse.ac.uk, as we usually have a waiting list. If you have already attended some seminars, please also inform the seminar teacher.