Why Study Abroad at LSE?
I've gained lifelong friendships, connections to outstanding professors, professional advice, and the opportunity to experience all that the lovely city of London has to offer thanks to the General Course.
Choosing where to spend your year abroad is one of the biggest decisions of your degree. At LSE, you won't be a visiting student on the sidelines. You'll be a full member of the School for a whole academic year. You'll study alongside LSE's own undergraduates, learn from academics who shape policy around the world, and live in the heart of one of the world's great cities.
There are many reasons to choose LSE, but here are ten we think you should know about.
1. A world-class university
LSE is consistently ranked among the very best universities in the UK and the world. In The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2027, LSE was named Russell Group University of the Year and the top university in London. It also ranked first in the UK for subjects including Economics, Philosophy, Politics and International Relations, and Social Policy. You'll also have access to the British Library of Political and Economic Science, one of the largest libraries in the world devoted to the social sciences.
2. A name that sets you apart
Graduate schools and employers around the world recognise and respect LSE. Having it on your CV makes a real difference. When you finish your year, you'll become an LSE alumnus for life, joining a global network. You'll also receive a 10 per cent discount on LSE graduate tuition fees.
3. Taught by leading academics
LSE's academics are at the cutting edge of the social sciences. They regularly advise governments and international organisations. That means you'll get an education grounded in the real world, from the people shaping the debates you study.
4. Fully integrated study
The General Course isn't a separate programme for visiting students. You'll take four year-long courses, or the equivalent in half-units, from a list of over 300. You'll be taught in the same lectures and classes as LSE's degree students, and your courses can span departments.
5. Scholarships for study abroad
The John and Amy Phelan Family Foundation General Course Scholarships and the International Students House Accommodation Scholarships are available to students in financial need.
6. World-renowned speakers on your doorstep
LSE hosts an extensive programme of public events, bringing leading figures from politics, business and beyond to campus. Recent speakers have included Sanna Marin, John Major, Alexander Stubb and Andrew Bailey.
7. A truly international community
LSE students come from over 150 countries, and 65 per cent come from outside the UK. Forty per cent of our staff are also from outside the UK. Every seminar is a global conversation.
8. Guaranteed university housing
All General Course students are guaranteed a place in LSE or University of London accommodation if they apply by the deadline. That's one less thing to worry about when you arrive.
9. London is your campus
LSE sits in the very heart of London, on the doorstep of the City, Westminster and Covent Garden. The city becomes your social science laboratory, with its theatres, museums and professional institutes all within walking distance.
10. A year of unforgettable experiences
General Course students enjoy a social calendar of their own. It runs from the Welcome Boat Party on the Thames and a residential weekend at Cumberland Lodge in Windsor Great Park to Thanksgiving Dinner and the end-of-year Study Abroad Ball. You can also join over 200 Students' Union clubs and societies, and access everything the University of London has to offer.