Auditing in the Department of Methodology
Auditing allows you to attend lectures and seminars of certain Methodology courses without taking the course for credit. Auditors do not submit assessed coursework or sit an exam, and audited courses do not appear on transcripts.
Auditing places in seminars are limited and will only be allocated if space permits.
- Eligibility
- Before You Apply – Check if You Need to Apply
- Key Dates for 2026/27
- After You Apply
- When Will You Hear the Outcome?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility
The procedures and instructions in the following sections are only applicable if you are an MSc student or staff member.
Applications for auditing courses are handled informally by departments; therefore, they are not processed on LSE For You, and the application periods differ from the course selection periods.
Registered 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'. You should follow the course selection guidelines, including the course selection deadline.
The procedures and application periods outlined below do not apply to you.
Before You Apply – Check if You Need to Apply
If you only want to access Moodle page and lecture recordings
- All Methodology Moodle pages are open to LSE students. You do not need an auditing place to access Moodle materials or lecture recordings.
If you only want to attend lectures
- You can attend the lectures, subject to space availability, and you will need to follow the convenor’s instructions. You do not need an auditing place.
You only need to submit an auditing application if you wish to attend seminars as an auditor.
Applying to Audit a Course
Autumn Term courses
You can apply during the Autumn Term application period (September/October).
(The link will be valid during the application period)
Winter Term courses
You can apply either:
- during the Autumn Term application period (September/October); or
- during the Winter Term application period (January).
(The link will be valid during the application period)
Key Dates for 2026/27
Autumn Term Courses
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Application period | Monday 21 September – Friday 2 October |
| Notification of auditing applications | 12–16 October (AT Week 3) |
Winter Term Courses
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Application period (Round 1) | Monday 21 September – Friday 2 October |
| Application period (Round 2) | Monday 11 January – Friday 22 January |
| Notification of auditing applications | 25–29 January (WT Week 3) |
After You Apply
While your application is being considered, you may:
- Attend lectures (subject to available space); or
- Access Moodle materials and lecture recordings.
Can you attend seminars while waiting?
You are welcome to attend seminars before auditing places have been confirmed. However:
- Students taking the course for credit will always take priority;
- You may be asked to give up your place if a seminar is full;
- Attendance before allocation does not guarantee that you will receive an auditing place in that particular group
We appreciate your patience while applications are being processed.
When Will You Hear the Outcome?
Applications are processed after the relevant course selection or course change period has ended, as auditing places can only be allocated once students taking the course for credit have been accommodated. You will receive an email during the notification week shown in the Key Dates section above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Non-LSE students are permitted to audit courses only when they register as an Intercollegiate Student, if eligible.
You may be using the wrong application form: Autumn Term and Winter Term courses are separated in the two application forms.
The course may not be open to auditors: Due to course design and/or limited places, certain courses cannot accommodate auditors.
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.
As we can only allocate auditing places after the course selection period, we would appreciate your patience. If you have not received any information from us after the notification period, please contact us (methodology.admin@lse.ac.uk).
Please refer to the timetable information page. If you are an auditor, the lecture and seminar will not appear on your personal timetable.
We expect auditors to attend all seminar sessions throughout the term as far as possible to avoid disruption to teaching.
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.