London School of Economics (LSE)
The London School of Economics was founded in 1895 to teach only the social sciences and is a member of the Russell Group. It works from a single site in Holborn, London, taking undergraduate applications through UCAS and postgraduate ones through its own portal.
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One record matters more than any ranking when reading a university page: the Home Office register of student sponsors, which is what permits an institution to issue the CAS a student visa requires. London School of Economics (LSE) appears on it, and on the register that carries degree-awarding powers; this page sets out the institution’s subjects, entry requirements, fee arrangements and application steps.
01
What kind of university is LSE?
LSE was founded in 1895 to teach only the social sciences and is a member of the federal University of London. It opens no programme in engineering or medicine; economics, politics, law, sociology and international relations make up the whole of the institution.
The institution is a member of the federal University of London and awards its own degrees. Specialising at this scale in the social sciences keeps the course list narrow but deep; each field carries its own research centre and seminar arrangement.
Degree-awarding powers sit on the Office for Students register; the authority to issue the CAS a student visa requires sits on the Home Office register of licensed sponsors. The two registers are kept separately and both are recorded in the institution's own name.
02
Which subjects stand out at LSE?
Economics and econometrics are the best known field here. Alongside them law, international relations, political science, sociology, anthropology, management and finance carry long course lists at undergraduate and postgraduate level and form the rest of the institution.
- Economics: economics, econometrics, mathematical economics, economic history.
- Law and Politics: law, political science, international relations, public policy.
- Management and Finance: management, finance, accounting, behavioural science.
- Social Sciences: sociology, anthropology, geography, social policy, media.
The undergraduate list is deliberately limited and most titles carry economics or quantitative method. Mathematics is therefore published as an entry requirement on a large share of the institution's courses.
03
What are the entry requirements at LSE?
The institution does not count a Turkish high school diploma among the qualifications accepted for undergraduate entry. For postgraduate study it publishes a GPA of 3.3 out of 4 as the 2:1 equivalent and 3.6 as the first class equivalent.
| Level | Published threshold |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate — with a school diploma | The Turkish state high school diploma is not an accepted qualification |
| Postgraduate — courses asking a 2:1 | Turkish bachelor's degree, 3.3 out of 4 |
| Postgraduate — courses asking a first | Turkish bachelor's degree, 3.6 out of 4 |
| Doctoral | Turkish master's degree, 3.3 out of 4 |
For an applicant holding a school diploma the route is an accepted qualification such as A-level or the IB, or one of the foundation programmes. The English level a course asks for is published on the same page.
04
What are tuition fees at LSE?
The international fee varies by course and each course publishes the figure on its own page. The institution runs scholarships at undergraduate and postgraduate level; conditions and deadlines are listed on its funding pages by year of entry and by course.
Alongside tuition, living cost is the second large item. The maintenance funds a student visa asks you to show are set by region and come to £1,529 a month here; outside London the same line is £1,171.
Postgraduate scholarships also run at department level and their deadlines close before the course's own. The UK scholarships page sets out the arrangement in general terms.
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05
What is the campus and student life like in London?
The site is gathered into a single block in Holborn, with every building within walking distance of the next. Covent Garden and the legal district sit immediately alongside; travel across the city runs on the underground and bus network.
Holborn is London's legal and publishing district; the British Museum and Covent Garden are within walking distance. The library building sits at the centre of the site and stays open long hours through examination periods.
Rent in London runs markedly above the England average and that gap is the largest variable in a budget. Student accommodation is spread outside the centre and connects to the site by public transport.
06
How do you apply to LSE?
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS and the deadline for 2027 entry is 13 January 2027, the equal consideration date. Postgraduate and doctoral applications are sent directly to the course through the institution's own online portal instead.
- Choose the course and read its own entry requirements section.
- Send the UCAS application by 13 January 2027 for undergraduate entry.
- For postgraduate study apply through the institution’s own portal, uploading transcripts and references.
- If an offer is made, meet the academic and English language conditions.
- Once the conditions are met a CAS is issued and the student visa application follows.
British Global supplies information at this stage and, where it is wanted, introduces a firm whose authorisation has been verified on a register; assessing a visa application belongs to an IAA-registered or SRA-authorised adviser.
07
Frequently asked questions
Can you apply to LSE with a Turkish high school diploma?
The institution does not list the Devlet Lise Diplomasi, the Lise Bitirme Diplomasi or the Anadolu Lisesi diploma among qualifications accepted for undergraduate entry. Applicants complete A-levels, the IB or another accepted qualification.
What grade is published for postgraduate entry?
Courses asking a 2:1 publish 3.3 out of 4 on a Turkish bachelor's degree and courses asking a first publish 3.6. Doctoral applications ask for 3.3 on a Turkish master's degree.
Can you study engineering at LSE?
The institution opens no programme in engineering or medicine. Teaching is limited to economics, law, politics, management and the other social sciences, an arrangement it has kept since it was founded.
How much maintenance is shown for London?
A student visa asks for £1,529 a month in London and £1,171 outside it. The amount is calculated for up to nine months and is a separate line from tuition.
Sources
- LSE — Turkey — Thresholds published for Turkish qualifications: 3.3/4 and 3.6/4 at postgraduate level, and that school diplomas are not accepted — checked 25 August 2026
- LSE — Graduate entry requirements — Degree class equivalents in postgraduate admission and the English language arrangement — checked 25 August 2026
- UCAS — The 2027 entry timetable, the five-choice limit and the 13 January 2027 equal consideration date — checked 25 August 2026
- GOV.UK — Student visa — Student visa fee, healthcare surcharge and the maintenance funds to be shown — checked 25 August 2026
