Home › Colleges › UK › London School of Economics (LSE)
9%
Acceptance rate
~$48k
Tuition / yr
7
IELTS required
70%
Intl students
1895
Founded
#50
QS World rank
World-leading for economics & social science. This guide covers London School of Economics (LSE)'s courses, fees, English & academic requirements, scholarships, the step-by-step admission process, student-visa and post-study-work rules, and tips to get in — everything in one place.
▶ Predict my admission chances (free)📚 Courses & programs at London School of Economics (LSE)
London School of Economics (LSE) is best known for Economics, Finance, Social Science. Popular programs for international students include:
- MSc Economics
- MSc Finance
- MSc Data Science
- MBA
- MSc Management
Class profile: Avg GMAT 710 · strong quant. Notable alumni: John F. Kennedy, 18 Nobel laureates.
✅ Entry requirements
| IELTS (Academic) | 7 |
| TOEFL iBT | 100 |
| PTE Academic | 69 |
| Duolingo English Test | 125 |
| GRE | Recommended |
| GMAT (MBA) | 650 |
| Min GPA / grade | 3.5/4.0 (2:1) |
| Work experience | 2–4 yrs (MBA only) |
💡
Below the English score? Don't pay to find out — take a free full-length IELTS mock (or PTE / TOEFL) and see your gap instantly. Full breakdown: IELTS score for London School of Economics (LSE).
💰 Fees & cost of studying
| Tuition (international) | £38k/yr |
| Application fee | £80 |
| Living costs (est.) | £12,000–15,000/yr (£13,347 for visa) |
| Scholarships | Graduate Support Scheme, country awards |
Plan your budget for tuition + living + health insurance + the visa fee. Compare funding with the free scholarship finder.
📝 Step-by-step admission process
- Pick one-year master's programs
- Meet IELTS (6.5–7.5) & 2:1/First equivalent
- Write personal statement + 1–2 references
- Apply directly on university portal (rolling)
- Receive offer (conditional/unconditional)
- Pay deposit → CAS → Student visa
📄 Documents checklist
- Academic transcripts
- Personal Statement
- 1–2 References
- CV
- IELTS UKVI
- Passport
- Financial proof (CAS)
- Degree certificate
🛂 Student visa & post-study work · UK
- Student visa: Student visa (Tier 4)
- Work while studying: 20 hrs/week during term
- Post-study work: Graduate Route: 2 years (3 for PhD)
🎯 Tips & tricks to get admission
- Beat the bar. With about 9% acceptance, aim above the minimums — target IELTS 7.5+ and a strong GPA, and lead with research, projects or publications.
- Write a tailored SOP. Name the exact program and 1–2 professors/labs at London School of Economics (LSE) and connect your background to them — generic essays are the #1 reason strong profiles get rejected.
- Hit the English score first. London School of Economics (LSE) needs IELTS 7 / TOEFL 100 / PTE 69. Take a free full-length mock to find your weakest section before you book the real test.
- Prepare finances early. Budget for tuition (£38k/yr) plus living costs (£12,000–15,000/yr (£13,347 for visa)); visa officers want clear, stable proof of funds.
- Apply in the right intake. London School of Economics (LSE)'s main intakes are Sep/Oct — applying 4–6 months ahead keeps scholarships and on-campus housing open.
📅 Intakes & deadlines
| Intakes | Sep/Oct |
| Typical deadline | Rolling (apply by Jan) |
| Acceptance rate | 9% (competitive) |
All figures are indicative and change year to year — always confirm on the official site (lse.ac.uk) before applying.
Frequently asked questions
- What IELTS score do I need for London School of Economics (LSE)?
- London School of Economics (LSE) typically requires IELTS 7 (TOEFL 100, PTE 69). GRE: Recommended.
- How much does London School of Economics (LSE) cost?
- International tuition is approximately £38k/yr, plus living costs of £12,000–15,000/yr (£13,347 for visa). Application fee: £80.
- What is the acceptance rate at London School of Economics (LSE)?
- London School of Economics (LSE) has an indicative acceptance rate of about 9% (Avg GMAT 710 · strong quant).
- What are the intakes and deadlines at London School of Economics (LSE)?
- Intakes: Sep/Oct. Typical deadline: Rolling (apply by Jan).
- Is London School of Economics (LSE) hard to get into?
- London School of Economics (LSE) is competitive, with an indicative acceptance rate of about 9%. Aim above the minimum scores and build a standout profile.
- Does London School of Economics (LSE) require GRE or GMAT?
- GRE: Recommended. GMAT (for MBA): 650. Always confirm the exact policy for your specific program on the official site.
- Can I work after studying at London School of Economics (LSE)?
- Graduate Route: 2 years (3 for PhD) (UK). You can typically also work part-time while studying: 20 hrs/week during term.
- What documents do I need to apply to London School of Economics (LSE)?
- Typically: Academic transcripts, Personal Statement, 1–2 References, CV, IELTS UKVI, Passport, Financial proof (CAS), Degree certificate. Check program-specific requirements before applying.