2027 Entry · Russell Group
How to get into LSE
The world's foremost social science university.
Course guides
Subjects at LSE.
Pick a subject for the full 2027-entry breakdown - grade requirements, test strategy, interview questions, personal-statement angles.
Official LSE links
Always verify requirements on the official site.
Overview
LSE in a nutshell.
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is the world's leading specialist social science university. Founded in 1895 by Fabian Society members including Sidney and Beatrice Webb, LSE has produced 55 world leaders, 18 Nobel laureates, and shaped the modern disciplines of economics, political science, and law.
- 01
LSE is exceptionally competitive: it receives around 26,000 applications for fewer than 1,800 undergraduate places, giving it one of the lowest offer rates of any UK university (roughly 12% in its most recent published data). The personal statement carries enormous weight since LSE does not interview undergraduate applicants.
- 02
Based in the heart of London on Aldwych, LSE offers an unmatched location for students interested in politics, finance, law, and international affairs. The student body is the most international of any UK university, with students from over 150 countries.
Why here
What makes LSE different.
- 01
#1 in the world for social sciences and management (QS Subject Rankings)
- 02
No interviews: selection is on your academic record and personal statement, plus an admissions test on Law, Economics and some other quantitative courses
- 03
Central London location steps from Parliament, the City, and the courts
- 04
The most internationally diverse student body of any UK university
- 05
55 former world leaders among its alumni
- 06
Exceptionally strong career outcomes in finance, consulting, law, and policy
FAQ
LSE admissions, answered.
Does LSE interview?
No. LSE does not interview undergraduate applicants for any course. Selection is based on your UCAS application, including academic record, predicted grades, and personal statement, plus an admissions test on the courses that require one.
Does LSE require admissions tests?
Many LSE courses set no test, but do not assume yours is one of them. The clear cases are Law, where the LLB requires the LNAT, and Economics, where the BSc requires the TMUA. LSE also lists the TMUA as required or recommended for several of its other quantitative courses, so check the entry requirements on your specific course page. Tests are registered and sat through the official test provider rather than through LSE, so check the deadlines as soon as you decide to apply.
How important is the personal statement for LSE?
Extremely important. LSE does not interview, and many courses set no admissions test, so the personal statement is your primary opportunity to demonstrate academic motivation and suitability beyond your grades. Even where a test score sits alongside it, the statement still carries real weight.
Does LSE offer STEM subjects?
LSE is a specialist social science university. It offers Mathematics and Statistics, but does not offer natural sciences, engineering, or medicine.
Compare
Other university guides.
Oxbridge
Oxford
The oldest university in the English-speaking world, consistently ranked #1 in the world.
ExploreOxbridge
Cambridge
World-leading research university with an unmatched supervision system.
ExploreRussell Group
UCL
London's leading multidisciplinary university with unmatched breadth.
ExploreRussell Group
King's
One of London's oldest and most prestigious universities, world-leading in law, medicine, and the humanities.
Explore