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LSE Thrive: Years 12-13

LSE Thrive is a free, sustained 10-month access programme for Year 12 students of Black heritage who live in or close to London and are interested in all LSE has to offer.

Applications have closed for this academic year and will re-open in November 2024.

The programme provides participants with the opportunity to experience our world-leading university first-hand and meet and work closely with current LSE students and inspirational staff. 

The programme is delivered in a hybrid format. Participants will be invited to LSE Thrive campus days to fully experience LSE student life alongside participating in a full online programme involving information, advice and guidance.

The programme is free to participate in, with the cost of all activities and travel to and from our London campus covered by LSE.

Successful participation in and completion of the LSE Thrive programme will enable participants who apply to LSE to be considered for a contextual offer.

See Admissions information (lse.ac.uk) for full details and all eligibility criteria.

When and where does LSE Thrive take place?

LSE Thrive will begin on Thursday 25 January 2024 (when students are in Year 12) and end in October 2024 (when students are in Year 13).

All activities take place online via Zoom, except the three campus visits.

You will be coming to London for our campus visits on the following dates:

  • Wednesday 14 February 2024
  • Wednesday 13 March 2024
  • Wednesday 26 June 2024
  • Wednesday 23 October 2024

Travel reimbursements are available to cover the costs to and from campus.

If you are offered a place on the programme, we will ask you about your tech set-up and whether you need any extra support from us to access the programme online.

What activities are included?

Throughout the programme participants will engage with a wide range of academic and non-academic departments across the university and meet LSE academics, current students, and alumni.

LSE Thrive includes:

  • Campus visits to LSE where participants will engage in a range of interactive workshops exploring undergraduate study and post graduate prospects with internal and external speakers
  • Tailored personal statement feedback and support
  • Information sessions on applying to university, student finance and budgeting, revision skills and student wellbeing
  • The offer of a place to attend the Black Achievement Conference which is due to take place virtually on Saturday 18 May 2024.

Are there any costs involved?

All of the activities, resources and catering are paid for, and we will cover the cost of your travel to and from campus. Additional support is available to enable participants to access online activity.

Who is eligible?

LSE Thrive is open to selected Year 12 students of Black heritage.

Priority Criteria

Applicants should:

  • Be currently in year 12
  • Have always attended a UK state-funded, non-fee-paying school/college/sixth form
  • Identify as having any of the following heritage:
    • Black or Black British - African
    • Black or Black British - Caribbean
    • Mixed - White and Black African
    • Mixed - White and Black Caribbean
    • Other Black background
  • Live within a reasonable commuting distance (~90 mins) from LSE (WC2A 2AE)
  • Be considering making an application to undergraduate study at LSE
  • Be on track to attain the contextual entry requirements for their course(s) of interest at LSE.
  • The contextual offer grades for the degree programmes are listed alongside the standard offer A-level and IB entry requirements on the relevant programme pages.
  • Be available for the duration of the programme.

Additional criteria

  • We would also particularly encourage applications from students of Black heritage who belong to one (or more) of our other widening participation target groups, namely:

  • Those living in postcode areas of historic low progression to higher education. This is determined by home postcode, which must be in POLAR4 quintile 1 or 2.
    Check your postcode (selecting MSOA) to see if you have ‘Quintile 1’ or ‘Quintile 2’ next to POLAR4 in the table. More information about POLAR.
  • Those living in postcode areas of historic deprivation as defined by the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), which must be in IMD quintile 1 or 2 (deciles 1-4) or regional equivalent*. 
    Check your postcode in England.
  • Those who identify as having a disability or specific learning difficulty**
  • Those who identify as care-experienced (i.e. those who have been in the care of the local authority).

More information about how LSE uses widening participation data during the admissions process can be found under the contextual admissions section of this admissions information page.


  • **Have a disability or specific learning difficulty as defined by UCAS:

    • You have a social/communication difference such as autism/Asperger's
    • You are blind or have a serious visual impairment uncorrected by glasses
    • You are deaf or have a serious hearing impairment
    • You have a long-standing illness or health condition such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, chronic heart disease, or epilepsy
    • You have a mental health condition, such as depression, schizophrenia or anxiety disorder
    • You have a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or AD(H)D
    • You have physical impairment or mobility issues, such as difficulty using your arms or using a wheelchair or crutches
    • You have a disability, impairment or medical condition that is not listed above.

    In the circumstance that the programme is oversubscribed, and places need to be allocated, applicants will be considered for places based on the extent to which they meet our widening participation criteria.

    Those applicants who meet all the priority criteria and one or more of our additional criteria will be prioritised for places. 

How can I find out more and apply?

If you need to contact the team please do so via Ard.Thrive@lse.ac.uk.

 

Contact

If you have any questions, please email Ard.Thrive@lse.ac.uk and the LSE Thrive team will reply as soon as possible.

What training do LSE staff receive?

All staff and students involved in the sessions receive appropriate training before the event. Staff or students working directly and regularly with young people on activities receive specific training on working with children, in line with our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy. They also undergo an appropriate level Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Cancellation Policy

Please note that as a result of circumstances or events outside of our control (known as a Force Majeure event), which includes but is not limited to industrial action, official government advice, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises, we may need to cancel an event at short notice.

In the event of a cancellation, or a change of venue or date, we will endeavour to notify attendees wherever possible through the contact details given at the time of booking. For the avoidance of doubt, the School will not be liable for any costs you may incur as a result of any cancellation, or change of venue or date.