The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is a social-science university in central London, founded in 1895.[1] It had 12,950 students in 2024/25 and is ranked 62nd in the QS World University Rankings 2027, down from 56th.[2][3]
For students starting in 2026/27 the home undergraduate fee is £9,790 and the overseas undergraduate fee is between £28,900 and £39,900 a year, depending on the programme.[4] Overseas full-time taught master’s fees listed for 2026/27 run from £30,400 to £51,000.[4] Undergraduates apply through UCAS only; LSE does not consider direct applications.[5]
Key facts
| Official name | The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) |
| Location | Central London, on Houghton Street[2] |
| Type | Public research university specialising in the social sciences; member of the University of London[2] |
| Founded | 1895, by social reformers “for the betterment of society”[1] |
| Students (HESA 2024/25) | 12,950, of whom 5,785 undergraduates and 7,160 postgraduates[2] |
| International reach | Students from over 150 countries each year[6] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 62nd (56th the year before); 9th among UK universities[3] |
| Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 | 47th in the world, 7th in the UK (a different ranking from QS)[7] |
| QS by subject 2026: Social Sciences and Management | 5th in the world, top three in the UK, top in London[1] |
| Home undergraduate fee, 2026/27 | £9,790[4] |
| Overseas undergraduate fee, 2026/27 new entrants | £28,900 to £39,900 a year, by programme[4] |
| Overseas full-time taught master’s fee, 2026/27 | £30,400 to £51,000 a year, by programme[4] |
| Undergraduate application | Through UCAS only; no UCAS Extra or Clearing[5] |
| Official website | lse.ac.uk |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.
About the London School of Economics (LSE)
LSE was founded in 1895 by social reformers “for the betterment of society”.[1] It describes itself as a world-leading specialist social science university.[1] Wikipedia lists it as a public research university and a member of the University of London.[2]
In 2024/25 it had 12,950 students according to national HESA data: 5,785 undergraduates and 7,160 postgraduates. Just under two-thirds of students came from outside the UK in 2023/24.[2] LSE says it welcomes students from over 150 countries each year.[6]
How is LSE ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, LSE is 62nd in the world, six places down from 56th the year before.[3] A summary of the ranking agrees on 62nd and puts LSE 9th among UK universities.[8]
Other results should not be mixed with the QS number. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027, LSE is 47th in the world and 7th among UK universities (LSE news item of 5 October 2026).[7] In the QS rankings by subject 2026, LSE is fifth in the world for Social Sciences and Management and top in London.[1] Rankings differ by publisher and year, and a social-science specialist is judged differently from a broad university. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at LSE?
LSE’s 2026/27 table of fees covers undergraduate, taught graduate and research programmes. Examples from the table include BSc degrees in Economics, Accounting and Finance, Management, Data Science, International Relations and Mathematics and Economics, a BA in History, and an LLB in Laws.[4]
Undergraduate programmes are full-time only. Two degrees, BSc International Relations and Chinese and BSc Language, Culture and Society, include a compulsory year abroad, and the four-year BSc Actuarial Science includes a placement year.[4]
How much does LSE cost in 2026/27?
LSE publishes a table of fees for each year. The following examples are for new entrants in 2026/27.[4]
| Programme (full-time) | Home | Overseas |
|---|---|---|
| BSc Economics | £9,790 | £39,900 |
| BSc Accounting and Finance | £9,790 | £35,700 |
| LLB in Laws | £9,790 | £35,700 |
| BSc Management | £9,790 | £35,700 |
| BSc Data Science | £9,790 | £32,100 |
| BSc International Relations | £9,790 | £30,700 |
| BA History | £9,790 | £28,900 |
| MSc Anthropology and Development | £18,300 | £30,400 |
| MSc Data Science | £39,900 | £39,900 |
| MSc Economics | £41,000 | £41,000 |
| MSc Management (12-month) | £42,900 | £42,900 |
| MSc Finance (full-time) | £51,000 | £51,000 |
All amounts are per year of study. Across the taught master’s programmes in the table, the overseas fee runs from £30,400 to £51,000; some programmes charge one fee to all students.[4]
The overseas undergraduate fee is fixed for the whole degree by the year of entry.[4] For comparison, the table shows what earlier cohorts pay: students who started in 2025/26 pay £27,500, £29,200 or £34,000 depending on the tier of their programme.[4] The home undergraduate fee is set at the maximum fee determined by the UK Government, so it can change. EU students are classed as overseas unless they meet UK immigration criteria.[4] Part-time graduate fees are half the full-time fee.[4]
How do you apply to LSE?
- Undergraduate: LSE receives all applications through UCAS and does not consider direct applications. It does not take part in UCAS Extra or Clearing.[5]
- Graduate: apply online. Your application will not be considered until LSE has received all supporting documents, and taught programmes take on average about eight weeks for a decision. LSE expects applicants to prepare their materials without paid agents and warns that paid assistance can lead to rejection or withdrawal of an offer.[9]
We give no deadlines here because they change every year and differ by programme. Check the programme page before you start.
Which English level do you need?
Undergraduate: the table of accepted tests lists IELTS Academic (including the online version) at 7.0 overall and 7.0 in each component in one sitting, and Pearson PTE Academic (in person) at 70 overall with 70 in every component. Cambridge C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency count at 185 overall and in each component. Test results must be dated within two years before the programme starts. GCSE English Language at grade B/6 or above is also listed.[10]
Graduate: the standard level is IELTS Academic 7.0 overall with at least 6.5 in each of reading, listening, writing and speaking. Tests must be less than two years old on 1 October in the year you start, programme pages may ask for a different score, and the level must normally be reached in a single sitting.[11] Applicants who are set an English-language condition may take the pre-sessional course at the LSE Language Centre.[11]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does LSE cost for international students?
For new entrants in 2026/27 the overseas undergraduate fee ranges from £28,900 (for example BA History) to £39,900 (for example BSc Economics). Overseas full-time taught master’s fees run from £30,400 to £51,000.[4]
How is LSE ranked?
Can I apply to LSE directly as an undergraduate?
No. LSE receives all undergraduate applications through UCAS and does not consider direct applications.[5]
What IELTS score do I need for LSE?
Is LSE part of the University of London?
Yes, according to Wikipedia it is a member of the University of London.[2]
More about studying in United Kingdom (UK)
- United Kingdom (UK): best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in United Kingdom (UK)
- Durham University
- Imperial College London
- King’s College London
- Queen Mary University of London
- University College London (UCL)
- University of Birmingham
- University of Bristol
- University of Cambridge
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Exeter
- University of Glasgow
- University of Leeds
- University of Manchester
- University of Nottingham
- University of Oxford
- University of Sheffield
- University of Southampton
- University of Warwick
- University of York
Sources
[1] LSE: Introducing LSE (page without a date)
[2] Wikipedia: London School of Economics (type, location and HESA student figures for 2024/25)
[3] uhomes: QS World University Rankings (QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (article last updated 15 Jul 2026; aggregator)
[4] LSE: Table of Fees 2026/27 (PDF) (file name dated 29 Jul 2026)
[5] LSE: How to apply (undergraduate) (page without a date; refers to entry in September 2027)
[6] LSE: Study at LSE (page without a date)
[7] LSE: The World University Rankings 2027 (news item dated 5 Oct 2026; Times Higher Education ranking)
[8] Scholarship Scanner: QS World University Rankings 2027 released (article dated 18 Jun (2026 shown in the page footer); aggregator)
[9] LSE: How to apply (graduate) (page without a date)
[10] LSE: English language requirements (undergraduate) (page without a date)
[11] LSE: English language requirements (graduate) (page without a date; tests valid for entry in 2027)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.