United States of America

At LSE, we want to recruit students with the best academic abilities, potential and motivation, irrespective of background.

We carefully review every application, taking into account all the information you’ve provided on your UCAS form, including:

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

Our entry requirements vary by programme. You’ll find all the details on our undergraduate degree programme pages.

We publish standard offers for applicants with qualifications such as GCE A-Levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB). We also consider applications from students with other UK qualifications, including BTECs, Foundation Courses and Access to HE Diplomas, and a wide range of international qualifications.

Learn more about accepted qualifications.

Equivalency of international qualifications to A-Levels

Below, you’ll see how your country’s qualifications compare with GCE A-Levels.

If your qualification is not listed, please contact our Undergraduate Admissions team, who can advise you further.

Before you start your application, please read our How to apply page.

You may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency, although this is not needed when you first apply. See our English language requirements.

Still have questions?

Our knowledge base is the fastest way to get answers to all your questions. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can also contact our Undergraduate Admissions team via the knowledge base.

Undergraduate entry requirements for applicants from the USA

Equivalency of Advanced Placement (AP) and SAT/ACT tests with GCE A levels

Below we have listed our various A level grade requirements and their equivalency in the Advanced Placement (AP) and SAT/ACT tests. Please note that the US High School Diploma by itself isn't sufficient for entry to LSE.

Subject combinations

AP Seminar, AP Capstone and AP Research don't count towards our AP subject requirement.

Only one of AP Calculus AB or Calculus BC may count towards an offer.

LSE has a general preference for a broad mix of AP subjects.

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

Declaration of AP results

Applicants who fail to declare, or provide evidence, of all previous and cancelled AP results may have their application or offer withdrawn at any time. UCAS and LSE require applicants to list all relevant qualifications and results.

Students applying from an American university

Students applying from American universities should have a minimum GPA of 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.

We’re looking for talented students who can show strong academic ability, potential and motivation, irrespective of background.

We carefully review every application, taking into account all the information you’ve provided on your form, including:

• academic achievements (predicted and achieved grades)
• statement of academic purpose
• two references
• your CV.

Entry requirements vary by programme. Please check the specific criteria listed on our graduate degree programme pages.

We’d also recommend checking our supporting documents page to make sure you’re providing the correct information and to avoid any delays in your application.

Before you start your application, please read our How to apply page.

Graduate entry requirements

Below you’ll find details of our general minimum requirements for applicants from your country.

If your qualification is not listed, please get in touch with our Graduate Admissions team, who can help further.

Bear in mind that these requirements are intended as a general guide. Some programmes have specific requirements for degree results and subject backgrounds. For many of our quantitative programmes, you’ll need to submit a GRE or GMAT score.

Learn more on our graduate degree programme pages.

You may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency, although this is not needed when you first apply. See our English language requirements.

Still have questions?

Our knowledge base is the fastest way to get answers to all your questions. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can also contact our Graduate Admissions team 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'd normally require a bachelor's degree with a GPA of 3.3 on a 4 point scale as a minimum requirement, 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'd 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.

To be considered for admission to a law taught master's programme, we'd normally require the Juris Doctor (JD) degree with a GPA of 3.5/4, 3.5/4.3 or a B+ average.

Graduate entry requirements for applicants from the USA

Research programmes (MRes/PhD)

To be considered for admission to a MRes/PhD programme (upper second class equivalent), we'd normally require a bachelor's degree with a GPA of 3.3 on a 4 point scale as a minimum requirement, 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'd normally require a B+ average.

To be considered for admission to a MRes/PhD programme (first-class class equivalent), we'd 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'd normally require a A- average.

Research programmes (MPhil/PhD)

To be considered for admission to a MPhil/PhD programme, we'd 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.