The London School of Economics and Political Science, usually known as The London School of Economics or just LSE, is one of the foremost social science universities in the world.
Though the title suggests only economics and political science, it has fine facilities for teaching and research in a wide range of disciplines including accounting, environment, geography, history, information systems and innovation, international relations, languages, law, logic, management, mathematics, operational research, philosophy, psychology, sociology, and statistics. Illustrious celebrities like George Bernard Shaw and Bertrand Russell have been associated with it.
Fifteen Nobel Prize winners in economics, literature, and peace have been either LSE staff or alumni. Philip Noel-Baker, Arthur Lewis, Amartya Sen, and Paul Krugman are in the galaxy. More than 30 past or present heads of State have studied or taught at LSE.
Contact: LSE, Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE, UK; P: +44 (0)20 7405 7686; Web: www.lse.ac.uk.
LSE offers a very wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The academic departments, interdisciplinary institutes, and partnership with internationally-known educational institutions form parts of the delivery systems.
At the postgraduate level, the Graduate School offers master's programmes (MA, M.Sc. and L.L.M.) normally one-year full-time or two-year part-time. Research programmes for M.Phil. or Ph.D. degrees are offered by all departments and institutes. There are some diploma programmes as well.
The main strength of LSE lies in its excellence in advanced research. There are currently 17 research centres and numerous smaller units. Most of these are financed by research councils, charitable foundations, industry, or commerce. Some are funded through public or private partnerships. The research activities are not confined to conventional laboratory work. They extend to the wider community through a diverse range of activities. The staff of LSE often gets the opportunities to advise policymakers in governments, non-governmental organisations, and business houses around the world.
There are around 8,700 full-time students and over 800 part-time students, drawn from nearly 140 countries around the world. Nearly 50 per cent students are from countries other than the U.K. or members of the European Union. About 55 per cent of the students follow postgraduate programmes.
The staff strength is nearly 1,460 full-time and 1,320 part-time. Nearly 90 per cent of the academic staff are actively engaged in research. The LSE library, also known as the British Library of Political and Economic Science, is the largest in the world devoted exclusively to the social sciences. It has millions of printed items including past and present journals. The library subscribes to approximately 20,000 e-journals. There is an effective system of IT services for the benefit of students and researchers.
The LSE Experts Directory contains profiles of academics, full publications lists with links to full texts wherever available, contact points for media or consultancy. You have links to short videos, journals, books, public lecture podcasts and webcasts.
In most of the degree programmes, students are expected to take at least one course in a subject outside their particular specialism. Most of the degrees allow students to combine their studies in more than one subject. The school seeks to make its work practical and relevant to the real world. Teaching draws from the insights derived from the research products of the faculty.
Graduate programmes
The ‘taught programmes' lead to the award of MA, M.Sc., L.L.M. (Master of Laws), MPA (Master of Public Administration), M.Phil., M.Res. (Master of Research), and postgraduate diplomas. There are double and joint degree programmes as well. You can also join LSE for short periods of up to one year for research.
There is the ‘TRIUM Global Executive MBA', which blends instruction from three universities—LSE, New York University Stern School of Business, and HEC School of Management, Paris.
The Diploma programs have two purposes:
To offer a qualification which extends your undergraduate studies
To function as a conversion or refresher course, if the level of your previous qualification or its subject content does not permit direct progression to a Master's degree
Double and joint master's programmes
These programmes offer the opportunity to study both at LSE and at partner institutions in London or overseas. Double degree programmes are normally of two years' duration—students study one year at LSE and one year at the partner institution. Joint degree programmes are offered jointly with one or more partner institution(s) and may last one or more years.
One-year general course at LSE
This is intended to familiarise students with an international campus atmosphere, and thereby enable them to gain several skills that would help in effective higher studies. You will be exposed to brilliant faculty and excellent library facilities. There is no semester option. You can participate in all social and academic activities. There are 250 courses to choose from.
Accommodation
First year undergraduate degree and general course students are guaranteed an offer of accommodation. There are facilities in residential halls. Sometimes you may have to go for private accommodation that is available through the accommodation office. There is a fixed allocation policy that includes a quota system. The residence fee may be in the range of £70 to £220 per week. You are entitled to work on or off campus up to 20 hours each week of the academic term, and more during vacation.
Enquiries
For information on admission, you may follow the links in the web site www.lse.ac.uk. Contact phone: +44 (0)20 7955 7160.
If you go by the links Graduate admission-International Students, you can submit your online application for admission. Students from India will have to show a bachelor's degree with at least 70 per cent marks, for eligibility. There is provision for checking the progress of your application in the online status checker.
You may have to provide evidence of your command of English in the form on IELTS / TOEFL scores, only if the language of instruction of your previous degree is not English. You can reach the ‘table of fees' if you go by the link ‘LSE information for new students'.
