LSE ranked "University of the year for student success"

LSE has been ranked "University of the year for student success" and fourth overall in the Daily Mail University Guide.

The ranking reflects not only LSE’s strong outcomes in jobs, salaries, and degree completion, but also its strong record on social inclusion, with nearly a third of UK undergraduates being the first in their family to attend university.

Alastair McCall, editor of the Daily Mail University Guide, said: “Among all universities in the UK, winning a place at the London School of Economics is the nearest thing to a guarantee of future success.

“On any number of measures, the Daily Mail University of the Year for Student Success 2026 could have been awarded to the LSE. Students have to be academically successful to win a place in the first instance with competition for places tougher here than at any other UK university.

“More than 90% then go on to achieve first or 2:1 degrees and 94% land high-skilled jobs afterwards. They earn some of the highest salaries (£36,000 a year as a starting average with many much higher than that). And if you want to go on to rule your country, LSE does pretty well at that, too, with more than 50 alumni and others connected to the LSE going on to be heads of state.

“A key element for judges in making the award was the efforts the university makes to ensure that this success is shared around, made accessible to the widest possible audience through the university's extensive outreach programme. This means that just under 30% of UK undergraduates are the first in their immediate family to go to university – exceptional in a university of LSE’s standing.”

In recent years, LSE has significantly expanded its support for students from underrepresented backgrounds. New programmes include LSE Navigate, launched this year to guide care-experienced students and those holding contextual offers through every stage of their university journey, and the Care Experienced and Estranged Student Bursary, which provides upfront funding to help cover the costs of moving to university. Other measures range from free LSE Students’ Union gym and society memberships, to the Kickstart scheme and the Social Mobility Mentoring Programme, which pairs first and second year students with alumni working in their chosen fields.

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