University of Chicago, USA
LSE offers undergraduate students the opportunity to spend a full academic year at University of Chicago, USA.
Name: University of Chicago
Campuses: Main campus located in Hyde Park, Chicago, USA.
Highlights: Known for a vibrant intellectual community, and commitment to research. Home to renowned faculty and Nobel laureates.
Student Population: Approximately 15,000+ students (undergraduate and graduate combined).
Type: Private university
Website: University of Chicago
There are 3 places available.
Applicants must be in their second year and must return to LSE after the year abroad to complete their degree.
To be eligible for consideration, you must have an overall average of 60% or above from all of your first year courses. Applicants with individual module scores under 60% will be considered, as long as the overall average grade is 60% or above.
As part of your application, you must provide your marks from your first year modules at LSE and the name and contact details of one academic referee. Your referee can be any academic member of staff from your department at LSE.
Language of Instruction: English
Available Courses: A wide range of courses across disciplines. Explore available courses here.
Academic Calendar:
- Autumn semester: 28th September 2026 - 12th December 2026
- Winter Semester: 4th January 2027 - 13th March 2027
- Spring Semester: 22rd March 2027 - 5th June 2027
Academic Advising: Advisors are available to assist with course selection and academic planning, please see here for more information.
Support services: Center for College Student Success provides resources and tools that promote student success.
On-Campus Housing: Available for exchange students. However, University accommodation is not guaranteed.
Housing Costs: Vary by dorm type and room configuration.
Housing Application Process: Please see here for more information.
Tuition Fees: GO LSE students pay tuition fees to LSE.
Mandatory Fees: For example: Lifetime Transcript Fee: $84
Cost of Living: Estimated cost of living in Chicago is moderate to high. Further information on living expenses can be found here.
Health Insurance Requirements: You are required to hold valid health insurance; specific plans are available through the university.
Campus Safety: Further information on campus safety services can be found here.
Student organisations & Associations: Numerous student-led organisations across diverse interests are available.
Sports Facilities: Access to sports facilities, including gyms, pools, and recreational programmes.
- It is your responsibility to check whether you require a visa and to apply for the appropriate visa on time.
- Contact the US embassy or consulate early to learn about visa application procedures.
- Apply for your visa as soon as possible after receipt of your certificate of eligibility (DS-2019 or I-20).
- Make travel plans that allow time for processing of your visa application.
- Arrive in the US no more than 30 days prior to the start date on your DS-2019.
- Do not enter the US under a tourist visa.
Main Contact:
Email: studyabroad@uchicago.edu
Studying abroad at the University of Chicago was, without doubt, one of the most formative experiences of my life, academically, personally, and in ways I am still discovering. Academically, UChicago exceeded every expectation I had. The neuroscience courses I took were intellectually stimulating in a way I had rarely experienced before, pushing me to think more critically and deeply about the brain, behaviour, and what it means to be human. But the highlight of my academic journey was joining a wellbeing and psychological research lab, where I had the incredible opportunity to conduct my own independent research. My project explored how attentional framing of situations influences subsequent curiosity and appreciation — a genuinely novel area of inquiry. Designing and carrying out that study from the ground up gave me confidence in my abilities as a researcher that I simply could not have gained in a classroom alone. It taught me that science is not just something you read about, it is something you do, question, and shape yourself. Beyond the academic world, living in Chicago transformed me on a personal level. It was my first time living independently, and the experience of navigating daily life entirely on my own, budgeting, cooking, and problem-solving, built a sense of self-reliance I will carry with me always. Chicago itself was a wonderful backdrop to all of this: a vibrant, culturally rich city full of energy, diversity, and warmth. Exploring its neighbourhoods, architecture, and food scene became its own kind of education. Study abroad showed me that growth rarely happens inside your comfort zone. It happens in a new city, in an unfamiliar lab, in the quiet moments of living alone for the first time. I am deeply grateful for every part of it.
Ines Ghandour, GO LSE Student (2025/26)