Introduction
As the majority of our applicants apply with A-levels, this guidance is written primarily towards that audience. However, the information contained is relevant to students offering any qualification. If you are unsure how this guidance applies to your qualification, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office.
Note that where specific guidance regarding the suitability of a particular subject/subject combination is given on the entry requirements pages of Information for international students, that guidance supersedes the more general guidance given below.
Subject combinations and non-preferred subjects
The School considers not only the individual qualifications offered by applicants but also the combination of subjects offered. Individual degree programmes may have specific subject requirements or preferences which are listed in the admissions criteria for each individual programme. We also have a number of general policies, listed below.
We consider traditional academic subjects to be the best preparation for studying at LSE. We expect applicants to offer at least two full A-levels or IBDP Higher Levels in these subjects (although typically, applicants will apply with three or four); please see the list below for guidance.
Some subjects provide a less effective preparation for study at LSE. We refer to these as non-preferred subjects; please see the list below for guidance. These subjects should only be offered in combination with two traditional academic subjects.
Finally, there are a small number of A-levels which are normally excluded from our standard offer; please see the list below. Applicants should offer three full A-levels or equivalent alongside these subjects.
For applicants studying more than three A-level subjects
If you will have studied more than three A-Levels (either in the same year or over more than one year), the Admissions Selector reserves the right to specify grades in non-prerequisite subjects in any offer they may make, in order to indicate the preferred combination of subjects. This may be particularly relevant if you are studying two similar subjects, for example Business and Economics, and the Admissions Selector would accept a grade in either of them, but not both of them.
Example:
Sam has applied for BSc Management (N200) and is studying A-Levels in Mathematics, Business, Chemistry, and Economics. The entry requirements are grades AAA at A-Level including A in Mathematics. The Admissions Selector is happy to consider a combination of three of these subjects which includes either Business or Economics but not both. Therefore, the Admissions Selector makes an offer with the following conditions: "Achieve grades AAA at A-Level including Mathematics and Chemistry.
Common traditional academic/'generally preferred' subjects:
- Ancient History
- Biology
- Classical Civilisation
- Chemistry
- Computing
- Economics
- Electronics
- English (English Language, English Literature and English Language and Literature)
- Further Mathematics*
- Geography
- Government and Politics
- History
- Languages: Modern Foreign, Classic and Community**
- Law
- Mathematics
- Music
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
- Sociology
Common "non-preferred" subjects:
- Any Applied A-level
- Accounting****
- Art and Design
- Business Studies
- Citizenship Studies
- Communication and Culture
- Creative Writing
- Design and Technology
- Drama/Theatre Studies***
- Film Studies
- Health and Social Care
- Home Economics
- Information and Communication Technology
- Leisure Studies
- Media Studies
- Music Technology
- Physical Education/Sports Studies
- Travel and Tourism
Normally excluded subjects:
- Critical Thinking
- General Studies
- Global Perspectives and Research
- Knowledge and Enquiry
- Project Work
- Thinking Skills
If you would like information about the suitability of a subject which does not appear on these lists, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office.
* See the Mathematics and Further Mathematics section below.
** See Language Qualifications information on the Entry Requirements webpage
*** The Departments of Anthropology, International History, International Relations, Social Policy and Sociology consider Drama and Theatre Studies equally with other generally preferred subjects. Therefore, they will consider Drama and Theatre Studies alongside one other subject from the non-preferred list. However, the majority of departments continue to regard Drama and Theatre Studies as a non-preferred subject.
**** The Department of Accounting considers Accounting equally with other generally preferred subjects. Therefore, they will consider Accounting alongside one other subject from the non-preferred list. However, the majority of departments continue to regard Accounting as a non-preferred subject.
Essay based A-Level subjects:
- Art History
- Business Studies
- Classics
- Drama
- Economics
- English Literature
- English Language
- English Literature
- English Language and Literature (Combined)
- Environmental Studies
- Geography
- Government and Politics
- History
- Law
- Media Studies
- Modern Languages
- Modern Studies
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
- Sociology
The combination of subjects studied, in conjunction with the level of competition for the programme, may sometimes result in those offering three (or more) preferred subjects being deemed as less competitive by the Academic Selector on the basis of their subject combination.
Overlapping subjects
Many of the undergraduate programmes at LSE are multi-disciplinary and for this reason we consider a broad mix of traditional subjects to be the best preparation for study. A broad academic background will provide the skills to perform well in any of the challenging programmes at LSE. Students offering a narrow range of subjects may be at a disadvantage compared to those offering a broader combination. Examples of narrow subject combinations might be Economics, Business Studies and one other or English Language, English Literature and one other. Please also refer to the subject combination guidance on our programme pages and the Mathematics and Further Mathematics section below.
Core Mathematics
Core Maths is a generic title for a range of different Level 3 mathematical qualifications; it is not a qualification title in itself.
For the qualification titles see below:
- AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies
- City & Guilds Certificate in Using and Applying Mathematics
- OCR (MEI)* Certificate in Quantitative Problem Solving
- OCR (MEI)* Certificate in Quantitative Reasoning
- Pearson Edexcel Certificate in Mathematics in Context
- WJEC Eduqas Certificate in Mathematics for Work and Life
*MEI: Mathematics in Education and Industry
The key purpose of Core Maths qualifications is to widen participation in the study of mathematics from age 16 and to support the development of mathematical skills for progression to higher education and employment. The qualifications offer an opportunity for students not studying AS or A-level mathematics to study a Level 3 mathematics course alongside their main programme of study. Core Maths is available to those with grade C/4 or above at GCSE and is based on GCSE content with 25% new material.
Core Maths may add value to an application, similar to the EPQ, in particular where the programme has a specific mathematical content but does not require a specific maths qualification e.g. Psychology or Geography.
Core Maths cannot be used as a replacement for A level Maths (or equivalent qualifications) for programmes with a maths A level requirement.
Core Maths can be considered as an alternative way to meet the standard LSE GCSE maths requirement (Grade B/6).