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About School 
Academics 
My Campus 
Student Life 
Surrounding Environment 
Accessibility London School Of Economics And Political Science (LSE)
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) was founded in 1895.
LSE specializes in research and teachings of social science disciplines ranging from anthropology to law and politics to economics. The school is consistently ranked as one of the leading social science universities, according to international and national league tables.
Since its inception, the school has produced 16 Nobel Prize winners and notable alumni, including Indian economist Amartya Sen, Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros, Singapore’s first Prime Minister Lee Kwan Yew and Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen.
School's Main Website | International / Exchange Student Website
Academics:
LSE offers a robust range of social science courses at undergraduate and masters level. The courses that are more popular amongst Singaporean undergraduates are law, economics and finance. Over and above, the school is also known for its business management, government and international relations programs.
For more information on the different programs offered at LSE, click here!
Language of instruction:
English
GPA requirement:
Entry requirements for prospective full degree students vary between countries. Click here to find out how to qualify! Do note however, that even if the minimum requirements are met, it does not guarantee a placement in LSE!
Courses:
1. LSE Summer School
The various subject courses being offered for LSE Summer School are namely, Accounting, Finance, Economics, English Language, international Relations, Government & society, Law and lastly, Business and Management. More information on the courses can be found here!
2. A year at LSE: The General Program
Students will be assigned to one of the 16 academic departments offering undergraduate degrees. This General Program allows students to study any combination of courses. Click here to find out more! Details on courses can be found here!
3. Full-Time abroad
Full-Time courses offered each year can be found below:
Course registration process:
Students register for classes using the LSE for You system. The academic year is divided into three terms: Michaelmas, Lent and Summer.
Course registration is done during Michaelmas, which starts on the last week of September. Most undergraduate classes usually take place over the course of the entire academic year, while master’s classes offer full-year and half-year options.
The school allocates basic modules to students based on their degree requirements. As for more popular courses, members of staff will inform students to provide reasons explaining their interest in wanting to take the module.
Attendance policy:
Attendance is compulsory and is reflected on LSEforYou. According to the school’s academic regulations, any student absent on two consecutive occasions or is regularly absent without good reason will be reported to their academic adviser.
Campus map:
The LSE campus is very compact and all buildings are within 5-10 minutes walking distance. The campus map will help you navigate your way around or experience LSE with its virtual map!
See LSE's location map here!
Selected facilities:
Click here to gain access to LSE's PDF guide on various facilities found in and around the campus!
Two of the most common facilities that students are likely to utilize in LSE are the Fitness center and the library.
Fitness center
Located on the 4th floor of the LSE Student Union building, the Fitness Centre is equipped with common equipment like that of free weights and resistance machines. While students have to pay to use the gym, it is offered at a highly discounted rate compared to most of the commercial gyms located around the campus.
LSE gym members are also given free access to fitness classes, such as yoga and salsa, held on weekdays.
Library
The LSE library is one of the largest economic and social science libraries in the world. Located along Portugal Street, you will be able to find most of your course’s core texts in the library’s Course Collection located on the first floor. If you are taking modules that require multiple readings, be sure to check this section out. LSE students can borrow up to 20 items at one go!
You can also find other handy amenities inside the library, including computers, printers, photocopiers and scanners. These workstations tend to be very crowded and popular during regular school hours, so plan your timetable wisely.
Flying Chalks’ tip: Printing at LSE costs 4 pence per side. Therefore, if you intend to print lots of notes, you might want to consider buying a printer for your own use.
Food on campus:
There are plenty of bars, cafes and restaurants in and around the campus. You can find them all listed here!
Flying Chalks' recommendations:
1) New Academic Building Canteen
Located on the 4th floor of New Academic Building is a canteen that serves the widest variety of food options with daily rotating international themed menu alongside a salad bar, pizza and pasta stations and fish and chips.
2) Wright’s Bar (Cheapest option)
Head to Wright’s Bar along Houghton Street where warm sandwiches, burgers and chips for less than £2 are easily available! Although these hearty options are tasty and economically friendly, they are not healthy by any means. There is usually a snaking line to buy food and limited space inside the café to sit down and enjoy a meal.
Flying Chalks' tip: If you foresee yourself eating in school very often, LSE offers an Early Payment Reward System where you pay your school fees before August and get credits off to 1.5% of your fees. The credits can then be used to offset any food, drinks and items bought on campus.
Campus transportation:
You can easily get around the LSE campus on foot!
LSE is a centrally located university, allowing students to combine the perks of living in a multicultural and cosmopolitan London with the campus student life. The student population at LSE is also incredibly diverse, with it having one of the highest international student intakes among UK universities. Hence, you will find it easy to integrate with the community.
Orientation program:
The school and the Student Union organise an orientation week for new students during the first week of Michaelmas term. There will be various student-led campus and library tours to familiarise you with onsite facilities as well as a tour of the local historic area conducted by professional tour guides. Separate departments and residence halls will also hold welcome meetings and induction parties for students.
Flying Chalks’ tip: Be sure to check out the Welcome Fair to speak to representatives from various clubs and societies and bag some freebies during the process.
Buddy programme:
Buddy programme in LSE is known as "Student Shadowing" where students can gain a first-hand insight into LSE’s student life by shadowing one of their undergraduates for half a day.
Shadowing takes place from October to March yearly. Names and contact details have to be submitted on the expression of interest form to be notified by the school for the next shadowing programme.
More information on the shadowing programme can be found here!
Student clubs:
The more than 200 clubs and societies at LSE is a great avenue to meet new friends, network and further develop your interests! Clubs range from interest-driven groups to career societies that focus on professional developments.
You can find a full list of clubs and societies on the Student Union’s website here!
Flying Chalks' tip: Some of the interesting groups to consider are the beekeeping society, Itchy Feet: Travel and Backpacking society and wine/cider/mocktail appreciation club.
University events:
LSE regularly hosts public talks, debates, discussions and events that are free for the LSE community and the public to attend. Check out the latest speaker line-up on the LSE website here!
Flying Chalks' tip: LSE hosts influential figures hailing from the academia as well as the political, legal and civil society in their respective field of specialties. Being able to listen to discussions on issues such as poverty, equality and feminism is in part inspiring and in part motivational. As such, these events are definitely worth your time!
For the Arts lovers, LSE Arts showcases a series of exhibitions, concert series, lectures as well as open-mics. Every Thursday during the Michaelmas and Lent terms, you will be able to find lunchtime and evening concerts in the Shaw Library hosted by Music@LSE. Aside from that, the open-mic night is held monthly for LSE staff and students. Cafe 54 (located in New Academic Building) also plays host to the LSE Chill Performance Night on the last Friday of every month during school terms.
Public exhibitions are also commonly held in LSE, Atrium Gallery, Old Building. More information on public events held at LSE can be found here!
LSE is located in central London in a historic area known as Clare Market. The nearest tube station to campus is Holborn station (pronounced Ho-born), which serves the Piccadilly and Central lines. It is within walking distance from Covent Garden (15mins), Chinatown (20mins) and Tottenham Court Road (30mins). Surrounded by food establishments, entertainment outlets, parks and shopping areas, there is no lack of facilities that would cater to students’ needs and beyond.
For Food:
Flying Chalks' recommendations:
1. Four Seasons
Arguably, it serves the best roast duck in London. The establishment has outlets in Chinatown and Queensway. Duck aside, the restaurant dishes up a wide assortment of authentic Cantonese cuisine. However, do not expect top-notch service at this place.
2. Goldmine
Competing for the unofficial “Best roast duck” title in the Big Smoke is the Goldmine. Located in Queensway (nearest tube station: Bayswater), pilgrims have diligently trooped there for its famed roast duck. Some diners have claimed that although the duck at Four Seasons has better glaze, Goldmine serves juicier and fattier cuts. Taste and judge them for yourself!
3. Burger & Lobster
The restaurant only has three varieties on their menu, burgers, whole lobster and lobster roll for £23 each. With more than 10 outlets dotted all around central London, you can easily pop into one for a luxurious treat. The closest two outlets to the school are in Soho and Oxford Circus.
4. Eat Tokyo
This is an affordable and authentic Japanese restaurant with six branches in London, three of which are found near the LSE; namely Holborn, Covent Garden and Soho. It is highly encouraged to make a reservation at the restaurant especially during evenings and weekends due to its popularity. You can get an oyako don for £7.90 or a special sushi roll from £12 onward.
5. Hare & Tortoise
Located in Bloomsbury, this has long been a favorite haunt for homesick Singaporean and Malaysian students. Although the restaurant serves sushi and ramen, its highlights are their fried noodle dishes. Singaporeans have claimed that it serves the best cha kway teow (£7.80) in London because of the wok hei that imparts the dish with unique homely taste.
Other recommendations include the Pad Thai (£8.40), which has a lovely balance of savoury, sour, sweet and smoky flavours, as well as the Penang prawn mee (£8.90) for lovers of good hearty soup. The rich stock is lovingly boiled with prawn heads and shells, together with generous portions of whole prawns.
For nightlife and entertainment:
With a plethora of entertainment and nightlife activities, London is definitely one of the best European cities to party your night away.
1. Musicals and plays
There are shows every night at the West End. For some theatres, a limited number of discounted tickets will be released on the day itself, but you will need to queue for it as early as 8am in the morning to get them. Musicals such as Les Miserables offer “student standby” tickets that are only available a few hours before the show itself. You can enquire more at the theater’s box office.
After your musical, meander your way down to Soho to experience some great nightlife. Known for its gay-friendly bars, there is also an eclectic mix of small pubs and quirky bars alongside.
2. Mark’s Bars
Grab a cocktail at Mark’s Bars located under the Hix Soho (like many ‘secret’ bars around London, you need to know it to find it). Featuring historically based drinks, there is a series of cocktails called ‘London’s Golden Age’ that features cocktails made by famous London hotels and bars in the 1930s.
3. Clubs
If you are looking for a big night out, head down south to the ever popular Ministry of Sound or to the massive KOKO club in Camden.
For daily necessities and groceries:
There are numerous supermarkets found near the campus. The three closest would be Co-operative, Sainsbury and Waitrose. Apart from stocking up on daily necessities, all of them sell a wide assortment of ready meals (i.e. sandwiches, salads and wraps) for a quick lunch in between classes.
The biggest outlet would be Sainsbury that carries a wide array of fresh produce and meat, including a salad bar and hot roast chicken. For better quality but pricier products, head to Waitrose or Marks & Spencer.
Along Kingsway, there is a fresh produce grocer who sells seasonal fruits and vegetables at affordable prices. It is open only during weekdays and changes its offerings on a daily basis depending on what is available.
Flying Chalks’ tip: Two of the cheapest places to buy homeware would be Argos or Primark.
For shopping:
Less than 30 minutes away from LSE is the famous shopping strip along Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Street. You will be able to find most high-street brands and famous departmental stores, including Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason, around that area. Boutique shops could be found in Soho at Berwick Street, Carnaby Street and in Kingly Court.
Flying Chalks' recommendations:
1. Westfield London at Shepherds Bush
If you are looking to beat the crowds on the ever-busy Oxford Street, go to Westfield London at Shepherds Bush (15 mins tube ride from Holborn station). The huge shopping mall houses brands from Zara to Ted Baker, so this will be your one-stop shop, but with lesser people.
2. Bicester Village
For luxury shoppers, Bicester Village (pronounced bis-tuh) will be the place to go. Brands featured include Armani, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo amongst many others. Get there via an Underground ride just 50 minutes from Marylebone station.
Accessibility:
Find LSE's location map here!
Most international flights will land at either Heathrow or Gatwick airport. Both of them are about 1-hour away from central London. Here are a few options to get to London:
1. Private cab
Book a private hire car (from companies such as BA Transfer or Addison Lee) to pick you up from the airport to the university hall or any pre-arranged destination for a fixed price. The estimated cost of a trip from Heathrow airport to central London in a private car for four people would be about £40.
2. Taxi
Taxi fares will set you back anywhere from £45 to £70 depending on the distance between the airport and your final destination.
Flying Chalks' tip: Booking a private cab would be the most recommended if you are arriving into London with friends and would be bringing many pieces of heavy luggage.
3. London Underground (Tube)
The nearest tube stations to LSE are Holborn (Piccadilly and Central Lines) and Temple (District and Circle Lines). The Piccadilly Line runs regularly from Heathrow airport to central London. This is the cheapest transport option, which will cost £3.10 for off-peak hours and £5.10 during peak hours.
Flying Chalks' tip: Do note that not all tube stations are equipped with elevators or escalators. There is a likelihood that you will end up struggling to carry your baggage up many flights of steps while trying to beat the crowds inside the station! Hence this method is not advisable if you are arriving with big pieces of luggage!
Interactive Map | PDF version of London’s Underground Substations |Plan Your Journey (You can also check what buses are available nearby)!
4. Heathrow Express/Gatwick Express
Both services are the fastest option of getting into central London. Heathrow Express takes 15mins to travel from Heathrow airport to Kings Cross station for £16.50 if booked online in advance.
Gatwick Express takes 30mins to travel from Gatwick airport to Victoria station for £17.80. However, you will still need to change to another mode of transport from Kings Cross or Victoria station to reach your final destination. Hence, it might turn out to be more troublesome and expensive than other alternatives.
5. Thameslink Express
For those arriving at Gatwick airport, the Thameslink Express is a cheaper but lesser known option than the Gatwick Express. The train stops at St. Pancras International as well as London Bridge underground station, which is perfect if your residence is around the Kings Cross/Euston area or near London Bridge/Bermondsey.