United States of America

LSE is an international community, with over 140 nationalities represented amongst its student body. We celebrate this diversity through everything we do.

Student societies and activities

Your time at LSE is not just about studying. There are plenty of ways to get involved in extracurricular activities. From joining one of over 200 societies, or starting your own society, to volunteering for a local charity, or attending a public lecture by a world-leading figure, there is a lot to choose from.

The campus

LSE is based on one campus in the centre of London. Despite the busy feel of the surrounding area, many of the streets around campus are pedestrianised, meaning the campus feels like a real community.

Life in London

London is an exciting, vibrant and colourful city. It's also an academic city, with more than 400,000 university students. Whatever your interests or appetite you will find something to suit your palate and pocket in this truly international capital. Make the most of career opportunities and social activities, theatre, museums, music and more.

London is a great city for students, with plenty of sights, experiences, and opportunities to explore. Contrary to popular belief, London doesn't have to be super expensive: hear about London on a budget.

For more information about living in London, please request our London Life: Tips for students living in the city e-book.

Students@LSE Blogs

Follow USA graduate students Anne, Claire, Emma, Grant, Jeff, Joyce and Maja as they blog about their journey at LSE.

Support during your studies

There is a wide range of support services and facilities available. You can benefit from academic guidance, language support and personal and professional development. We also provide careers support, pastoral care, counselling and a Disability and Wellbeing service. We encourage you to make the most of these resources to ensure you have the best possible experience during your time at the School.

Accommodation

LSE offers a variety of styles of accommodation with a mix of students; UK and international, men and women. Options include LSE halls of residence, University of London intercollegiate residences and private halls. Or if you're thinking of living in privately rented property, we can also help with finding a place. Find out about accommodation options.

Visas and immigration

If you think you might need a visa to study at LSE, please check our our visa advice information.

What do LSE graduates do?

Find out what our graduates have gone onto to do six months and three years after they graduate on LSE Careers. You can search by degree and department and see information on salaries, industries and more.

Career information by country

LSE has a diverse student body and our graduates work across the globe. According to the most recent graduate destination data, over half of all recent graduates work in the UK, while the rest are spread out across the globe.

Understanding the jobs market and recruitment methods used in the country you want to work in is important for a successful job search. Have a look at LSE Careers' country profiles for more information about opportunities and employers in your home country or another country.

Support for your career

Whether you have a clear idea of what you want to do after your studies or haven’t started thinking about it yet, LSE Careers can help. 

We cater our services to match the LSE student makeup including undergraduates and graduates, UK and international students, and people with previous job experience or looking to change careers. Regardless of where you want to work, we can support you. We also have bespoke services for students with disabilities and PhD students, including dedicated careers consultants.

Our services, events, and resources cover finding part-time work; career planning and deciding on a career; enhancing employability skills; gaining work experience; volunteering; starting a business; researching employers, sectors and roles; strengthening CVs, cover letters, and applications; improving interview and assessment centre technique and more.

Once registered on campus you can book careers events, including fairs and seminars, and one-to-one appointments to discuss career options and review your applications.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students. We want to recruit students with the very best academic merit, potential and motivation, regardless of their background. 

We review each application carefully, taking into account all of the information provided on your UCAS application form, including:

• academic achievement (including predicted and achieved grades)
• subject combinations
• personal statement
• teacher’s reference
• educational circumstances

In terms of academic achievement, our entry requirements vary by programme, and are listed on the individual undergraduate degree programme webpages.

Our entry requirements and usual standard offers for each programme for students applying with GCE A levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB) are listed on these pages. We also consider applications from students with a range of other UK qualifications including BTECs, Foundation Courses and Access to HE Diplomas (see further information on these qualifications) as well as a wide range of international qualifications.

Below you will find the equivalency of the qualification/s from your country to GCE A levels. If your qualification is not listed, please get in touch with Undergraduate Admissions.

For more information on the application process please see How to apply.

You may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency at some point, but not when you first submit your application.

Do you still have questions? The knowledge base is the quickest way to receive answers to any questions you may have. If your question is not answered by reference to the knowledge base, you can submit an enquiry to Undergraduate Admissions via the knowledge base.

Competition for places

Competition for places at the School is high. This means that even if you are predicted or if you achieve the grades that meet our usual standard offer, this will not guarantee you an offer of admission. Usual standard offers are intended only as a guide, and in some cases applicants will be asked for grades which differ from this.

Equivalency of the Advanced Placement (AP) tests with GCE A levels

Below we have listed our various A level grade requirements and their equivalency in the Advanced Placement (AP) tests. Please note that the US High School Diploma by itself (without AP courses) is not sufficient for entry to LSE.

A level grade	Equivalent in the Advanced Placement (AP) tests
A*AA, AAA	Five APs at grade 5, taken over a maximum of three years and a minimum High School Diploma GPA 3.7 Subjects may be specified as part of an offer. See the note below about subject combinations.
AAB	Three APs at grade 5, and two APs at grade 4, taken over a maximum of three years, and a minimum High School Diploma GPA of 3.7 Subjects may be specified as part of an offer. See the note below about subject combinations.
Mathematics A*/A	Calculus BC grade 5

Subject combinations

AP Seminar and AP Research are excluded and do not count towards our AP requirement.

Only one of AP Calculus AB or Calculus BC may count towards an offer. For programmes requiring A level Mathematics, only Calculus BC is acceptable.

Applicants should also bear in mind our general preference for a broad mix of traditional academic subjects to be offered.

AP Languages and Culture courses may be excluded where students have significant prior exposure to that language.

AP Cambridge Capstone Program

LSE does not consider this programme as part of its minimum entry requirements for American AP exams.

The SAT Reasoning Test (formally called Scholastic Aptitude Tests)

The SAT Reasoning Test does not form part of any entry requirement for LSE programmes.

The ACT (American College Testing)

The ACT does not form part of any entry requirement for LSE programmes.

Students applying from an American university

Students applying from American universities should have a minimum GPA above 3.3 and preferably a 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale), or above 4.0 (on a 5.0 scale), or a minimum average of 80 per cent overall. We only accept the first year of a full bachelor’s degree, an associate’s degree is not acceptable for entry. 

Please view information on other accepted international qualifications for alternative options.

In terms of academic achievement, our entry requirements vary by programme, and are listed on the individual undergraduate degree programme webpages.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students. We want to recruit students with the very best academic merit, potential and motivation, regardless of their background.

We review each application carefully, taking into account all of the information provided on your application form, including:

• academic achievement (including predicted and achieved grades)
• statement of academic purpose
• two references
• CV

In terms of academic achievement, our entry requirements vary by programme, and are listed on the individual graduate degree programme webpages.

See further information on supporting documents

You may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency at some point, but not when you first submit your application.

For more information on the application process please see How to apply.

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Below you will find our general minimum requirements for students from your country. If your qualification or country is not listed, please get in touch with Graduate Admissions.

Please note that requirements listed on these pages are general and some programmes have specific requirements in terms of degree result required and subject background. Many of our quantitative programmes also require that a GRE or GMAT score is submitted. Please see the individual graduate degree programme webpages for specific information.

Do you still have questions? The knowledge base is the quickest way to receive answers to any questions you may have. If your question is not answered by reference to the knowledge base, you can submit an enquiry to Graduate Admissions via the knowledge base.

Graduate entry requirements for applicants from the USA

Taught master's programmes

To be considered for admission to a taught master’s programme (upper second class equivalent), we would normally require a bachelor's degree with a GPA of 3.5/4, on a 4 point scale, or 3.5/4.3, 4.3/5, 10/12 or 85 per cent overall. If the only grading scheme used is a letter-grade system, we would normally require a B+ average.

To be considered for admission to a taught master’s programme (first-class class equivalent), we would normally require a bachelor's degree with a GPA of 3.7/4, on a 4 point scale, or 3.7/4.3, 11/12 or 90 per cent overall. If the only grading scheme used is a letter-grade system, we would normally require a A- average.

Research programmes (MPhil/MRes/PhD)

To be considered for admission to a research programme, we would normally require a two year master's degree with a GPA of 3.5/4, 4.3/5, or 85 per cent overall or, if a lettered grading scale is in place only, a B+ average.

Every student is charged a fee for their programme. For undergraduate students, there is a fee for each year of their programme.

Fees cover registration, teaching, classes and individual supervision, first entry to examinations, the use of the Library and membership of the Students' Union. They also normally cover teaching and the use of student common rooms at other colleges of the University of London, if your programme has intercollegiate arrangements.

Fees do not cover living costs or travel or fieldwork. If you receive an offer, you will be informed of the relevant tuition fee amount in your offer letter.

Fees are fixed each spring for the following session only, and will be published in the Table of Fees.

All queries regarding your fees and fee payments are dealt with by the Fees Office.

Tuition fee amounts

For undergraduate students, the individual tuition fee amount is available on the individual undergraduate degree programme webpages.

For graduate students, tuition fee amounts are listed on the individual graduate degree programme webpages.

Fee status

In some cases the amount of tuition fees you will need to pay, and any financial support you are eligible for, will depend on whether you are classified as a home or overseas student, otherwise known as your fee status.

LSE assesses your fee status based on guidelines provided by the Department of Education.

Scholarships, bursaries, loans and other funding opportunities

The School recognises that the cost of living in London may be higher than in your home town or country. LSE provides generous financial support to UK and overseas undergraduate and graduate students. Some support is also available from external organisations including the UK government and some overseas governments.

• funding opportunities for undergraduate students
• funding opportunities for graduate students

Experience LSE from home

Our videos, student blogs, vlogs and webinars will help you gain an insight into what it's like to study with us from the comfort of your own home. 

Undergraduate Virtual Open Day

Experience our Undergraduate Virtual Open Day wherever you are in the world.

Graduate Virtual Open Day

Experience our Graduate Virtual Open Day wherever you are in the world.

Visit LSE

Come on a guided campus tour, attend an undergraduate open day, go on a self-guided tour or request an appointment with a member of the Student Marketing, Recruitment and Study Abroad team. Find out about opportunities to visit LSE.

LSE visits you

Student Marketing, Recruitment and Study Abroad travels throughout the UK and around the world to meet with prospective students. We go to schools, attend education fairs and also hold Destination LSE events: pre-departure events for offer holders. Find details on our upcoming visits.

LSE Events in the USA

LSE visits the USA regularly to meet with prospective students. In 2022 LSE held information sessions in Boston, New York, Washington DC.

Sign up to our mailing list to hear about our future events near you.