Rules and exceptions

Rule:

Must be paid by all applicants via the online application system.

Exceptions:

The administrative fee is automatically waived for current LSE students and Alumni (former students) if a valid LSE ID number is entered in the relevant section of the online application. Waivers may also be requested by applicants facing certain types of extenuating circumstances – please see the link below.

Applicants who are unable to pay the fee via the online application system may pay the fee via the LSE Online Store (Eshop) if instructed by Graduate Admissions.

Further information:

How do I pay an administrative fee?

How do I request a waiver of my administrative fee?

Rule:

Must be paid by all applicants who have successfully reinstated their application (using the Reinstatement form on the Graduate Applicant Portal) from one admissions cycle to the next.

Exceptions:

The reinstatement fee is waived for applicants who were placed on the reserve list in the outgoing admissions cycle, or who held an offer in the previous admissions cycle. We will identify if this applies to you when we process your reinstatement request.

Further information:

How do I pay a reinstatement fee?

Rule:

Must be paid by all applicants who have successfully deferred an offer of admission from one entry year to the next.

Exceptions:

Applicants who can supply evidence of an agreed/awarded scholarship (not a scholarship application).

Further information:

How do I pay a deferral deposit?

Rule:

Must be submitted by all applicants.

Two references, written in English, must be provided in support of an application in order for it to be considered. You must nominate two referees by providing their contact details in your online application and your nominated referees must then submit their references via our online system. We generally prefer academic references, but we trust you to choose two people who can comment on your merit/motivation/potential to succeed on the programme.

Exceptions:

No exceptions

If your referee is unable to use our online system to submit their reference, or if we have requested a further reference after you have submitted your online application, your referee may send their reference to us by email.

Further information:

How do I submit my references?

Rule:

Must be submitted by all applicants, accounting for all of the qualifications listed in the Education section of your online application. Each transcript must be translated into English and must include all courses/modules taken and marks/grades obtained from each year of the qualification to date.

Exceptions:

If your university does not supply transcripts, this must be confirmed by your referee, who should include full details of all of your courses taken and marks obtained throughout your degree.

If you are undertaking a qualification and have not yet received any marks/grades, you may provide a document containing a sentence, written by you, explaining that you are not able to provide a transcript.

Rule:

Must be submitted by all applicants. If you are applying to two programmes, you must upload two statements of purpose.

Exceptions:

No exceptions

Further information:

See the supporting documents page for more details on what your statement should contain. Some programmes have specific requirements – these are outlined on this page.

Rule:

Must be submitted by all applicants.

Exceptions:

No exceptions

Further information:

See the supporting documents page for more details on what your CV/resume should contain.

Rule:

Must be submitted by all MPhil/PhD applicants. MRes/PhD and MSc (Research) applicants intending to apply for 1+3 funding should submit an outline proposal

Exceptions:

No exceptions

Further information:

See the supporting documents page for more details on what your research proposal should contain.

Rule:

Must be supplied by all applicants whose first language is not English and who have not completed a full 3-year undergraduate degree or 1-year postgraduate degree taught entirely in English at an institution in a country included in the UKVI list of majority English-speaking countries.

Exceptions:

See English language requirements page for a full list of exceptions.

Further information:

If you have not yet taken a test at the time of completing your online application, you may still submit your application and be considered for a place, however you will be required to satisfy the School’s English language requirements prior to registration if you are made an offer of admission.

Rule:

Must be submitted by applicants for specific programmes requiring test scores. Details can be found on individual programme pages.

Exceptions:

Some programmes exempt certain applicants from taking a test – see the page linked below. 

Further information:

Do I need to supply GRE/GMAT?