Introduction to LSE: 2025 Admission Guidelines and Popular Subjects
Is LSE "London School of Economics and Political Science" only famous for economics? Absolutely not! Although the word "Economics" is in the name of LSE, the school actually consists of 25 academic departments and institutes, covering teaching and research in different disciplines.
LSE is not only a temple of economics, but also an interdisciplinary knowledge platform that promotes academic exchanges and cooperation around the world. Whether you are a student interested in social sciences or a researcher seeking cutting-edge knowledge, LSE offers unique learning and research opportunities.
LSE Ranking
2025 QS Ranking | 50th |
2025 Times Higher Education | 50th |
Interested in LSE? Contact a consultant now!

Introduction to LSE
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is a public research university in London, England. It was founded in 1895, joined UoL in 1900, and first offered degree courses in 1901, focusing on social science research.
It began awarding degrees under its own name in 2008, having previously awarded degrees from the UoL, and officially became an independent university in 2022.
LSE is a member of the Russell Group, the Association of Commonwealth Universities and the European University Association, and is often considered a member of the "Golden Triangle" of research universities in the southeast of England.
LSE is also a member of CIVICA – European Social Sciences Universities, which is composed of eight European universities focusing on social science research.
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 ranked LSE number one in the UK and awarded it the title of "University of the Year".
In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), the university's average score was ranked third in the UK (tied with the University of Cambridge).
LSE's alumni and faculty include 55 former or current presidents or senior government officials and 18 Nobel Prize winners. It has also won three Nobel Peace Prizes and two Nobel Prizes in Literature.
According to a 2014 census of the world's dollar billionaires, the university has produced the most billionaires (11), the most of any European university.
LSE Tuition Fees
Understanding the tuition fee structure is crucial for students planning to apply. LSE's first-year tuition fees for international students in 2025/2026 are between £27,500 and £34,000.
In addition to tuition fees, students also need to consider living expenses and other related expenses. Details of tuition fees for each course can be found at HERE
LSE Entry Requirement
LSE has high expectations for applicants' academic background to ensure that its students have a solid academic foundation and excellent learning ability. The university's academic requirements for students vary by subject, but the general admission requirements are as follows:
A-Level | AAA |
IB | 38分 |
Click here to learn about the admission requirements for your preferred subject
Choosing professional GCSE and A-Level tutoring will be a shortcut for students to improve their personal abilities. Ascent Prep's GCSE & A-Level tutoring courses can not only help students understand the course content in depth, but also provide targeted exercises to improve problem-solving skills and test-taking ability.
Some subjects require students to take designated entrance exams, such as law applicants need to take the LNAT.
Students who will be studying the following subjects in September 2025 are recommended to take TMUA (optional) to make their application more competitive:
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Economics
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Economics
Bachelor of ScienceFinancial Mathematics and Statistics
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Data Science
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, Statistics and Business
Bachelor of Science in Information Science
Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science
Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science (with internship year)
Applying to LSE
Students intending to apply to LSE can submit their applications through the UK university admissions service, UCAS.
Applications open in September each year and close on January 31.
Students must submit predicted grades, a personal statement, and reference letters through the platform.
If you are planning to enter university in September 2026, you should be aware that UCAS will be changing the format of the Personal Statement. The new rules will require applicants to answer three specific questions, rather than freely composing content.
Faced with new rules and requirements, online resources are relatively limited and it is difficult to find clear guidance. It is best to seek professional and targeted guidance to master the new requirements and adapt to the new rules to increase the chances of success.
What to do in the face of the 2026 UCAS Personal Statement reform? Join Ascent Prep's Personal Statement Coaching Course to get clear guidance!
Popular Subjects at LSE
- Law: LSE's law school is one of the top law schools globally, renowned for its teaching quality and legal research.
- Sociology: Provides excellent education and cutting-edge, publicly oriented research on societal issues.
- Politics: Focuses on the concepts and theories behind political issues like justice, democracy, and rights.
- Economics: Known for its leadership in economic research and teaching across mainstream economic disciplines.
LSE Departments
LSE offers over 40 undergraduate courses and more than 140 teaching and research postgraduate courses across various social science disciplines, from accounting and law to management and social policy.
The student community is one of the most international, with students applying from over 140 countries, promoting a truly global approach to knowledge exploration in an academically rich environment.
Notable Alumni
LSE boasts numerous distinguished alumni, including 53 former or current national leaders, 20 current Members of Parliament, and 46 current members of the House of Lords.
Prominent figures like former UK Prime Minister Clement Attlee and former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso have studied at LSE.
Notable business figures include Tony Fernandes (CEO of AirAsia) and Delphine Arnault (Director of Louis Vuitton).
According to a survey by Emolument.com, LSE graduates take an average of just 11.6 years to earn a starting salary exceeding £500,000, the shortest time among all UK universities.
Extended Readings
Introduction to University of Cambridge: 2025 Admission Guidelines and Popular Subjects
Introduction to Oxford University: 2025 Admission Guidelines and Popular Subjects
Complete Guide to Applying for HKU and CUHK Medical Schools via Non-JUPAS in 2025
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Ready to Hear Success Stories? See Why Ascent Prep is a Student Favourite!
Michelle has excelled in academics since she was young and has been determined to apply to medical school since her third year of junior high school. She attends a local traditional girls' school that offers British A-Level courses. To lay a solid foundation for her dream of studying medicine, Michelle chose challenging subjects such as physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics. In the summer vacation after completing the IGCSE exam, Michelle interned in a cardiologist's clinic for five days through our arrangement. During her internship, she deeply realized the busy schedule of doctors and their sense of mission for the recovery of patients, which made her more determined to become a doctor.
Academically, Michelle took a UCAT preparation course during her first Christmas in the A-Level course, and learned various exam techniques under the guidance of the tutor, mastering how to quickly understand questions. She eventually scored an excellent 2830 in the UCAT exam and obtained a level 1 in the situational judgement test, which led to an interview invitation from the University of Nottingham Medical School. During the Easter period, she attended a personal statement guidance course. With the advice of her tutor, Michelle chose appropriate extracurricular activities and revised the content of her personal statement to make it more clearly express her passion and motivation for medicine. In addition, Michelle also took the BMAT exam (note that the BMAT has now been cancelled) and obtained a good score of 12.7, which exceeded the qualifying score and increased her chances of entering medical school.
To ensure that Michelle can fully express herself in the interview, we recommend arranging three targeted mock interviews to ensure that the areas that need improvement can be accurately improved. Finally, Michelle received an interview invitation from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong through the Non-JUPAS application. Her efforts finally paid off and she successfully received admission notices from the University of Nottingham and the University of Hong Kong.
After sharing Michelle's case, for students who aspire to enter the medical school, starting preparation one to two years in advance can indeed significantly increase the chances of success. Michelle's story not only inspires other students, but also proves that with planning and hard work, pursuing your dreams is achievable.
David attends a top secondary school in the UK and has excellent academic performance, with all 9s in GCSE and all A* predicted A-level grades. His dream has always been to become a doctor, and he has worked hard to achieve this goal. However, David unfortunately encountered a setback in the interview for a British medical school in January. The failure of the interview for his first application to a medical school made him depressed and anxious, and he began to doubt his abilities and future. At this time, his father contacted us at Ascent Prep for advice and suggestions.
We first comforted David and encouraged him not to give up his dream. Although he missed the chance to apply for medical school at a British university, the start date of medical school in Australia is half a year later than that in the UK, so he still has a chance to enroll. We suggested that he consider switching to medical school in Australia. In order to help David overcome the difficulties in the interview, we analyzed the reasons for his failure and found that although he was knowledgeable, he was flustered in the interview, especially lacking logic in judgment and problem-solving questions. We developed a personalized coaching program for him, including mock interview training and various coping skills, such as the STAR rule, responding to open-ended questions, and demonstrating passion for medicine and personal traits.
Through these intensive trainings, David's interview skills and confidence have been significantly improved. He also used the summer vacation when he returned to Hong Kong to retake the ISAT and UCAT exams and continued to practice under our guidance. At the same time, he continued to work as a research assistant at HKU, enhancing his medical experience and understanding of medical biology. Eventually, David successfully obtained admission notices from three Australian medical schools, including the University of New South Wales (UNSW). This proves that as long as you persevere, you can overcome challenges. His experience inspires other students pursuing their medical dreams, demonstrating to them the importance of persistence and hard work.
Brian is a student with a passion for medicine and his goal is to attend one of the top medical schools in the world. In order to realize this dream, he not only worked hard in his studies and achieved excellent results, but also actively participated in various extracurricular activities to comprehensively improve his abilities. Brian observed in the hospital’s cardiology department for a week and participated in the BSMS Virtual Work Experience, which allowed him to gain an in-depth understanding of the medical field through technological simulation. He not only learned the skills and qualities required to be a competent doctor, but also experienced the close relationship between doctors and patients.
After learning about Brian's goals, we encouraged him to set his sights on the University of Cambridge Medical School, whose outstanding reputation in medical research and teaching quality are impeccable. We also advised him to apply to other G5 medical schools such as Imperial, UCL and KCL. In order to improve his BMAT score and interview skills, we arranged a 15-hour BMAT preparation course ((Note that BMAT has been cancelled), which provided systematic training by experienced tutors, including problem-solving skills, test-taking strategies and time management. We also conducted several mock interviews for him, specifically targeting the interview style of Cambridge University, and designed relevant questions to help him prepare and better deal with academic and ethical issues.
Brian submitted his UCAS application in mid-October, took the BMAT in November, and received an interview invitation from Cambridge University in December. He was successfully accepted by Cambridge in January and also successfully obtained interview invitations from ICL and UCL. In order to reduce his financial burden, we encouraged him to apply for the Hong Kong Excellence Scholarship Scheme, which offers a scholarship of up to HK$300,000 and can support outstanding students to study in well-known overseas universities. In the end, Brian not only achieved high scores in the BMAT exam, but also was admitted to Cambridge University Medical School and KCL. He finally chose to go to Dowling College, Cambridge, England to pursue higher academic goals and realize his dream.