An introduction to LSE
LSE is a specialist social science institution, located in the heart of central London.
We offer over 40 undergraduate degrees, many of which can be taken as joint or combined honours programmes. Your students may know us best for our economics related programmes but we also offer undergraduate degrees in a wide range of social science disciplines. Do encourage them to explore the full range of options on offer!
Our students are taught by world leading academics whose research plays an important role in informing public and political debate, shaping public policy and solving real world problems.
Watch our presentation for An introduction to undergraduate study at LSE
You can also read an overview of LSE's facts and figures.
Department of Accounting
BSc Accounting and Finance
Department of Anthropology
BA Anthropology and Law
BA/BSc Social Anthropology
Department of Economic History
BSc Economic History
BSc Economic History and Geography
BSc Economics and Economic History
Department of Economics
BSc Economics
BSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics
Department of Finance
BSc Finance
Department of Geography and Environment
BSc Environment and Sustainable Development
BSc Environment and Sustainable Development with Economics
BA Geography
BSc Geography with Economics
Department of Government
BSc Politics
BSc Politics and Economics
BSc Politics and International Relations
BSc Politics and Philosophy
Department of International History
BA History
BSc International Relations and History
BSc History and Politics
Department of International Relations
BSc International Relations
Language Centre
BSc International Relations and Chinese
BSc Language, Culture and Society
LSE Law School
LLB Bachelor of Laws
Department of Management
BSc Management
Department of Mathematics
BSc Financial Mathematics and Statistics
BSc Mathematics with Data Science
BSc Mathematics and Economics
BSc Mathematics with Economics
Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method
BSc Philosophy and Economics
BSc Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method
BSc Philosophy, Politics and Economics
Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science
BSc Psychological and Behavioural Science
Department of Social Policy
BS International Social and Public Policy
BSc International Social and Public Policy with Economics
BSc International Social and Public Policy with Politics
Department of Sociology
BSc Sociology
Department of Statistics
BSc Actuarial Science (and BSc Actuarial Science with a Placement Year)
BSc Data Science
BSc Mathematics, Statistics and Business
What do students study?
Students will generally be expected to take a combination of core compulsory and optional courses during their three or four year degree programme at LSE. Almost all of our degrees allow students to choose at least one outside option, which could be from another academic department or one of our Language Centre’s language or literature courses. All students also take our LSE 100 course as part of their degree programme.
Each of our programme pages lists the compulsory and optional courses for each degree under the ‘Programme structure and courses’ heading. Students should refer to this information to ensure that the degree offered at LSE matches their particular area of interest.
We encourage our students to explore the additional study opportunities available to them whilst at the School, including research internships and activities, study abroad and language learning. See here for more information.
How are students taught?
Teaching at LSE will involve a mixture of lectures and classes.
Most students will have around 9-15 hours of teaching per week. We expect our students to undertake a significant amount of independent study in the form of reading, essay writing, project work and other assignments.
For some students, the style of teaching and learning at LSE will be a significant change to the teaching structure and format they have been used to at school or college. Preparing students for independent study and helping them develop their independent study skills before arriving at the School may help with the transition to university level study. LSE LIFE have created a series of study skills podcasts that students may find useful.
Detailed teaching and assessment information can be found here.
A range of academic, pastoral and personal support services are available to assist students throughout their time at the School. From one-to-one study skills appointments with our LSE LIFE advisers to our Peer Support Scheme and Student Academic Mentor programme, advice and guidance is always available.
See our student support pages for more information.
Student wellbeing
Our Student Wellbeing Service encompasses a number of support services committed to student welfare and wellbeing, including our Student Counselling Service and Peer Support Scheme.
Our Disability and Wellbeing Service provide support to students with long term health conditions, physical disabilities, sensory impairments, mental health and specific learning difficulties. The team work with students to create Inclusion Plans (IPs) through their services and support, make Central Examination Adjustments and offer Dyslexia and Neurodiversity Services. If you are working with students who may require additional support or adaptations whilst studying at LSE, please encourage them to contact the Disability and Wellbeing Service in advance of their arrival at the School.
Accommodation
All new undergraduate students who make LSE their firm choice and apply by the deadline are guaranteed accommodation in their first year of study, either in an LSE or intercollegiate hall of residence. Each hall has its own team of wardens and a hall committee, who are there to provide practical and pastoral support. A private housing service who can help students find private accommodation is also available. See our Accommodation pages for more information, price lists and 360 degree virtual tours.
Careers
The Careers Service offer a range of events, information and advice to help the personal and professional development of every student at the School. Their guidance for offer holders may be helpful when advising students.
Students can use our Graduate destinations database to find out more about what LSE graduates do.
We encourage our undergraduates to make the most of the full student experience whilst at LSE. There are over 200 student societies, including 40 sports clubs, allowing students to explore and develop a variety of academic, cultural, career and activity orientated interests. Our student activities page and Students’ Union webpage provide more detailed information about these opportunities.
Students can get involved in volunteering or charity work, develop their entrepreneurial ideas through our LSE Generate scheme or take up a new language at our Language Centre.
Our campus
LSE is based on one compact campus in the centre of London, located between Covent Garden, Fleet Street and Holborn. Our campus houses our library, study spaces, sports facilities and food and drink outlets. Find out more about our campus and student life.
Our students therefore enjoy the convenience and community of a campus setting alongside all the academic, entertainment and graduate benefits that come with being located in the heart of London.
Living in London
Being in London means that the student experience is not limited to our own campus. As LSE is part of the University of London, students can also enjoy additional clubs, societies and facilities offered by the University of London and its colleges. This broadens the social experience, allowing LSE students the opportunity to meet other students studying a variety of degrees from architecture to zoology at universities across the city.
We appreciate that students and parents/carers can often have concerns about the cost of studying in London. We recommend that students think about budgeting in advance of arriving at LSE and refer to our London on a budget guidance and find out about the ways LSE can support them with the cost of living.
Subsidised student accommodation in the centre of the city, part-time work options and student discounts on everything from shopping, travel and eating out mean that it is possible to make the most of the opportunities that London has to offer whilst living economically.
We generally recommend that students budget at least £1,550 a month for living expenses and offer our own financial support awards including scholarships and means-tested bursaries to assist with these living costs. Detailed information can be found on our Fees and Funding page.