About the university
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) was founded in 1895 and focuses entirely on the social sciences: economics, finance, management, politics, law, statistics and related fields. Entry is highly competitive.
LSE is known worldwide for economics, finance, international relations and social policy. It counts 21 LSE Nobel Prizes in Peace, Economics and Literature, and it was 5th in the world for social sciences and management in the QS subject rankings 2026.
Indian students apply to LSE for its reputation with employers in finance, consulting, policy and international organisations. Master's courses are short (often 10 to 12 months) but expensive, from about £32,000 to £53,600 for 2027/28, and entry is competitive: most ask for a 2:1, which LSE equates to a CGPA of about 7.6 out of 10 from India, and several need the GRE or GMAT.
The campus is in central London, between the City of London and the West End, so students live and study in the middle of one of the world's biggest financial and policy centres.
- Founded
- 1895, by social reformers, for "the betterment of society"
- Type
- Public university specialising in the social sciences, on one campus in central London
- Total students
- About 12,500 (12,480 in THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- International students
- 66% of students (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Student–staff ratio
- 12.7 to 1 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Intakes
- September only; several master's courses start with a compulsory pre-sessional or introductory course in August or September
- Admissions
- Rolling admissions for most master's courses; places close when full, and funding has earlier deadlines
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
62 in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
47th in the world
Complete University Guide (UK) 2027
3rd of 130 UK universities
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £41,900
- Duration
- 12 months (full time)
- Intakes
- September (starts 27 September 2027)
- English
- LSE Standard: IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each component
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £53,600
- Duration
- 10 months (full time)
- Intakes
- September (pre-sessional from August 2027)
- English
- LSE Standard: IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each component
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £43,100
- Duration
- 10 months (full time)
- Intakes
- September (introductory course from August 2027)
- English
- LSE Standard: IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each component
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £45,200
- Duration
- 10 months (full time)
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- LSE Standard: IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each component
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £48,500
- Duration
- 12 months (full time)
- Intakes
- September (pre-sessional from September 2027)
- English
- LSE Standard: IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each component
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £41,900
- Duration
- 10 months (full time)
- Intakes
- September (pre-sessional from late August 2027)
- English
- LSE Standard: IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each component
- Postgraduate
MSc Management of Information Systems and Digital Innovation
- Fee / year
- £41,900
- Duration
- 12 months (full time)
- Intakes
- September (starts 27 September 2027)
- English
- LSE Standard: IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each component
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £41,900
- Duration
- 12 months (full time)
- Intakes
- September (introductory course from September 2027)
- English
- LSE Standard: IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each component
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (GBP) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Data Science | 12 months (full time) | £41,900 | ≈ ₹51.1 lakh |
| MSc Finance (full-time) | 10 months (full time) | £53,600 | ≈ ₹65.4 lakh |
| MSc Economics | 10 months (full time) | £43,100 | ≈ ₹52.6 lakh |
| MSc Accounting and Finance | 10 months (full time) | £45,200 | ≈ ₹55.1 lakh |
| MSc Finance and Risk | 12 months (full time) | £48,500 | ≈ ₹59.2 lakh |
| MSc Finance and Economics | 10 months (full time) | £41,900 | ≈ ₹51.1 lakh |
| MSc Management of Information Systems and Digital Innovation | 12 months (full time) | £41,900 | ≈ ₹51.1 lakh |
| MSc Marketing | 12 months (full time) | £41,900 | ≈ ₹51.1 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at London School of Economics and Political Science with similar universities in the UK.
Scholarships
- Taught master's and diplomas
Graduate Support Scheme (GSS)
Value: £5,000 to £20,000, depending on financial need (about £3 million awarded each year)
Eligibility: Home and overseas applicants with an offer who show financial need. Means-tested, not merit-based; meant to top up funding you already have. Submit the Graduate Financial Support Application by LSE's deadline (23 April 2026 for 2026/27 entry).
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Postgraduate
External scholarships listed by LSE for India
Value: Varies by scheme
Eligibility: LSE's country funding page lists the Inlaks Foundation, J N Tata Endowment, Lady Meherbai Tata Education Trust, the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship and the Marchant Foundation LLM Scholarship for Indian students.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - One-year master's at any UK university
Chevening Scholarships
Value: Full tuition, a monthly living stipend, return flights and the visa fee
Eligibility: Indian citizens with at least two years' work experience and leadership potential.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- LSE accepts CBSE (including AISSCE) and CISCE Class 12 only. A*AA equals an overall 95% with three subjects at 95% and two at 90%; AAA equals an overall 90% with five subjects at 90%.
- Programmes asking for A* or A in A-level Mathematics need 95% or 90% in Mathematics. Applied Maths (CBSE or ISC) is not accepted in place of A-level Maths.
- Most quantitative degrees, such as BSc Economics and BSc Data Science, ask for A*AA with an A* in Mathematics.
- Apply through UCAS.
Postgraduate
- Most master's courses ask for a 2:1. From India, LSE normally asks for a bachelor's degree of at least three years with a CGPA of 7.6/10 (or 6/8, 3.3/4) for a 2:1, or 8.5/10 for courses needing a first.
- Many quantitative courses ask for a GRE or GMAT score. For example, MSc Economics needs the GRE if you lack a UK economics degree, and MSc Accounting and Finance needs the GMAT or GRE without a UK degree.
- Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and close when a programme is full, so apply early.
- If you get an offer, you normally pay a deposit of 10% of the tuition fee.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Degree transcripts and certificate
- Statement of academic purpose
- Two references (usually academic)
- CV
- GRE or GMAT score where the course asks for it
- English test score (can follow after you apply)
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic (master's, Standard) | 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each component. IELTS online and IELTS for UKVI are accepted. |
| IELTS Academic (master's, Higher) | 7.0 overall with 7.0 in reading and 6.5 in listening, writing and speaking. Used for courses such as International Relations and Public Policy. |
| PTE Academic (in person only) | Standard: 70 overall with 62 in each part. Higher: 70 overall with 70 in reading and 62 in the others. |
| TOEFL iBT | Standard: 100 overall (reading 23, listening 22, writing 24, speaking 22). Home and paper editions are accepted. |
| Bachelor's | IELTS 7.0 overall and 7.0 in each component, in one sitting. Duolingo is not a preferred test; LSE may allow it only with an extra LSE Language Centre assessment. |
Accommodation and living costs
LSE has its own halls across London, plus shared University of London intercollegiate halls. New undergraduates who book by the deadline are guaranteed a place; postgraduates are not guaranteed accommodation even if they book on time, so apply early. Robeson House, near Burgess Park in Southwark, is for LSE graduate students only. Prices below are 2026/27 weekly rates.
| Item | In GBP | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Robeson House (graduate students only, 51 weeks) | £226–300per week | ≈ ₹27,584 – ₹36,637 |
| Rosebery Hall, Islington | £200–310per week | ≈ ₹24,424 – ₹37,875 |
| Butler's Wharf Residence, near Tower Bridge | £153–328per week | ≈ ₹18,617 – ₹40,053 |
| Cheapest LSE option (shared self-catered room)From £100 a week | £100per week | ≈ ₹12,200 |
Campus and location
LSE's campus is a compact group of buildings in central London, close to the West End and the City.
- Single central London campus, within walking distance of Covent Garden and the City of London.
- Halls are spread across London, from Islington to Southwark and the South Bank.
- Students can use University of London intercollegiate halls and facilities.
- Some master's courses, such as MSc Data Science, include a capstone project with industry partners.
Careers and graduate outcomes
LSE graduates are recruited heavily by banks, consultancies, governments and international organisations, many of them based within a short distance of the campus. After graduating you can apply for the UK Graduate visa; see our UK guide for the current rules.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| UK league table position | 3rd of 130 UK universities | Complete University Guide 2027 |
| Times and Sunday Times ranking | Russell Group University of the Year and 2nd in the UK | Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2027, quoted by LSE |
Studying in the UK
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in the UK. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
How much does a master's at LSE cost?
For 2027/28, overseas fees on this page range from £32,000 (MSc Statistics, MSc Health Data Science) to £53,600 (MSc Finance). MSc Data Science is £41,900. Many LSE master's courses charge the same fee to all students.
What CGPA do I need from India?
For courses that ask for a 2:1, LSE normally expects a CGPA of 7.6 out of 10 (or 6/8 or 3.3/4) from a bachelor's degree of at least three years. Competition is strong, so most successful applicants score higher.
Do I need the GRE or GMAT?
For many quantitative programmes, yes. MSc Economics requires the GRE if you do not have a UK economics degree, and MSc Accounting and Finance and MSc Marketing require the GMAT or GRE if you do not hold a UK degree.
Is there a January intake?
No. LSE master's courses start in September, though some begin with a pre-sessional or introductory course in August.
Is accommodation guaranteed for postgraduates?
No. LSE says postgraduates are not guaranteed accommodation even if they book by the deadline. Graduate-only Robeson House costs £226.10 to £300.30 a week in 2026/27.
Does LSE have scholarships for Indian students?
LSE's main scheme is the need-based Graduate Support Scheme (£5,000 to £20,000). It also lists external awards for Indians, such as Inlaks and the J N Tata Endowment.
Sources
- LSE: MSc Data Science (2027/28) (opens in a new tab)
- LSE: MSc Finance (full-time) (opens in a new tab)
- LSE: MSc Economics (opens in a new tab)
- LSE: BSc Economics (opens in a new tab)
- LSE: information for students from India (opens in a new tab)
- LSE: graduate English language requirements (opens in a new tab)
- LSE: undergraduate English language requirements (opens in a new tab)
- LSE: Graduate Support Scheme (opens in a new tab)
- LSE: funding by country (D–K) (opens in a new tab)
- LSE: accommodation (opens in a new tab)
- LSE: applying for accommodation (opens in a new tab)
- LSE: about LSE (opens in a new tab)
- THE World University Rankings 2027: LSE (opens in a new tab)
- Complete University Guide 2027 league table (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.lse.ac.uk (opens in a new tab)
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