If you’re interested in studying Finance, Law or Management-based subjects at university, the London School of Economics (LSE) may be at the top of your list of potential options.Â
It’s one of the UK’s highest-ranked universities and is a member of both the Russell Group and G5 Universities. However, being such an incredibly prestigious university means that the competition for places is high and the entry standards are very demanding.Â
All of this makes LSE one of the hardest universities to get into in the UK, so it may feel pointless to even apply. However, if you’re truly dedicated to studying your chosen subject, it’s more than possible to succeed in your application. It will take a lot of work, but this guide is here to provide an overview of how you can make it though the application process with a place at LSE!
How Hard Is It To Get Into LSE?
One of the most frequently asked questions by LSE applicants is about the difficulty of getting in. While the competitiveness varies across courses depending on the number of applicants and available spots, we can look at the overall success rates for LSE applicants to get a general sense of how tough the admissions process is.
LSE Acceptance Rates (2020 - 2024)
2024
Applicants: 26,445
Offers: 4,319
Acceptances:Â 1,773
Offer Rate: 16.3%
Acceptance Rate: 6.7%
2023
Applicants: 26,740
Offers: 4,598
Acceptances: 2,048
Offer Rate: 17.2%
Acceptance Rate: 7.7%
2022
Applicants: 26,041
Offers: 3,420
Acceptances:Â 1,740
Offer Rate: 13.1%
Acceptance Rate: 6.7%
2021
Applicants: 22,185
Offers: 5,031
Acceptances: 2,067
Offer Rate: 22.7%
Acceptance Rate: 9.3%
2020
Applicants: 21,318
Offers: 4,786
Success Rate:Â 1,666
Offer Rate: 22.5%
Acceptance Rate: 7.8%
The results for LSE admissions seem to go up and down, with the peak of applications being in 2023. However, 2022 and 2024 share the position of lowest acceptance rate, at just 6.7% (2022 also had a much lower offer rate).Â
It’s important to highlight the significant gap between offer rates and acceptance rates each year. It may seem somewhat strange for a prestigious university as LSE, as many offer holders will likely choose it as their top pick. However, it’s crucial to remember that even after receiving an offer, you still need to meet the grade requirements, which can be exceptionally high for some applicants.
Additionally, many LSE applicants will also apply to Oxbridge, and those who receive an offer from LSE are often highly competitive candidates who are likely strong enough to secure an Oxbridge offer as well. As a result, some may consider LSE as an insurance option. Regardless, securing an offer from LSE remains challenging, even with the higher success rate.
All of this indicates that getting into LSE is tough, with acceptance rates far lower than the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, which admitted 13.9% and 16.6% of applicants in 2023.
The Most Popular LSE Subjects
LSE Economics Applications 2024
Applicants: 3,617
Offers: 372
Acceptances: 178
Offer Rate:Â 10.3%
Acceptance Rate: 4.9%
LSE Law Applications 2024
Applicants: 2,653
Offers: 408
Acceptances: 160
Offer Rate: 15.4%
Acceptance Rate: 6.0%
LSE Management Applications 2024
Applicants: 1,994
Offers: 306
Acceptances: 157
Offer Rate: 15.3%
Acceptance Rate: 7.9%
LSE Accounting and Finance Applications 2024
Applicants: 1,929
Offers: 265
Acceptances: 115
Offer Rate: 13.7%
Acceptance Rate: 6.0%
LSE Finance Applications 2024
Applicants: 1,058
Offers: 123
Acceptances: 65
Offer Rate: 11.6%
Acceptance Rate: 6.1%
While the offer rates vary, all of the offer rates for these degrees are very low, falling below 20%. This goes to show just how difficult it can be to get into LSE, although the university does offer general courses that have much higher offer and acceptance rates (though this is a one-year course exclusively for international students).Â
Despite these statistics, it’s not impossible to get your place. It requires a lot of hard work and dedication, but each admissions cycle sees over 1,500 undergraduates admitted each year. How can you become one of those applicants? Let’s go through the admissions process to find out.Â
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When you enrol on the UniAdmissions Full-Blue Programme, you will have access to everything you need to effectively prepare for each stage of the admissions process. This includes one-to-one tuition, hundreds of preparation materials, live courses, unlimited Personal Statement redrafting and much more.Â
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The LSE Application Process
By now, you’re probably familiar with the UK university application process, but applying to LSE can involve extra steps beyond the standard procedure. Let’s go over each of these steps and explore how you can stand out and excel in them:
The UCAS Application
Academic References For LSE
As part of your UCAS application, you’ll need to submit an academic reference from a teacher, mentor or counsellor. This requirement is the same for LSE applicants, though it may be helpful to choose someone with experience supporting G5 or Oxbridge applicants.
Does LSE Consider UCAS Points?
LSE UCAS Application Tips
1.
Start Early
2.
Remember The Deadline
Although LSE applicants don’t usually have to submit their applications early, those who are also applying to Oxbridge will need to ensure their application is ready to submit before October 15th.Â
3.
Keep Track Of Your Details
When completing your UCAS application form, be sure to keep a record of the details you provide. You’ll need to reference some of this information later in the application process and it’s important that everything is consistent across all sections.
Grade Requirements
As with any university application, meeting specific grade requirements is essential to getting your offer. LSE won’t consider UCAS Tariff points, so hitting these grade requirements is even more important for both securing your offer and gaining admission.
When it comes to GCSEs, all applicants need to have achieved Grade 6 in both English and Maths. This requirement isn’t too high, but some courses may have additional requirements on top of this.Â
However, the more important grade is your A-Levels/equivalents. Russell Group universities are already notorious for having high entry requirements, and LSE has some of the higher requirements of the university. Let’s check them out:
What Grades Do I Need For LSE?
- A-Level Grade Requirements: AAB - A*AA
- Advanced Higher Grade Requirements: A1AA - AAB
- International Baccalaureate Grade Requirements: 37(w/ 666 HL) - 38 (w/ 766 HL)
While not requiring the highest grade requirements of all the UK universities, there also aren’t any course options for those with lower grades, although contextual offers are available that can lower the requirements by one grade (e.g. AAB becomes ABB). As well as this, it’s stated that applications can also be supported by AS grades, although this isn’t factored into the actual requirement.Â
Despite these requirements, most successful applicants will exceed them, with many achieving A*A*A*. If you’re looking for proven methods to achieve this yourself, check out our 3 Approaches To Getting A*s In Your A-Levels.
What A-Levels Should I Take For LSE?
Many degrees at LSE are focused on finance and business, and these degrees will typically require applicants to have taken Mathematics. Beyond this, there aren’t any courses that have specific subject requirements.
While it’s not explicitly stated, some degrees may benefit from having relevant A-Level qualifications, such as having History for any courses relevant to the subject. Plus, be aware that alternative qualifications will usually be subject to the same subject requirements as A-Levels.Â
The Personal Statement
Are Personal Statements Important to LSE?
LSE states that Personal Statements are incredibly important to your UCAS application, especially due to the fact the interviews are not conducted in any form at the university. Therefore, this is the only insight into your character and experience that the admissions tutors have.Â
Keep in mind that your Personal Statement is shared with all the universities you apply to and, in many cases, is the only part of your application considered beyond your grades. Since offers aren’t guaranteed, it’s essential that your Personal Statement is strong enough to secure offers from at least one of your choices.
Wider Reading For LSE
Wider reading is a crucial Wider reading is a key part of your application, as it helps you stand out from other candidates and shows your genuine interest in the subject. Admissions tutors at LSE look for applicants who actively engage with their field, so demonstrating a commitment to exploring your subject will highlight that you have the right attitude for studying at there.
For many subjects at LSE, keeping up to date with current affairs is equally as important as reading relevant books, so ensure you’re regularly watching a variety of news channels and reading papers to take in different perspectives of big news stories.
Work Experience For LSE
For university applications, relevant work experience is usually not required but will always be a helpful boost to your prospects. When looking at the subjects taught at LSE, it may be difficult to find work placements relevant to a lot of these subjects.Â
If you’re able to secure a relevant placement, it’s definitely worth taking the opportunity. Having relevant work experience will make you a stronger applicant and show that you’ve already developed skills that will be valuable during your degree. Naturally, it’s important to highlight this experience in your Personal Statement.
LSE Personal Statement Tips
1.
Don’t Make It Specific to LSE
2.
Self-Reflection Is Key
3.
Edit Down
4.
AI Usage
One of the most talked-about issues surrounding Personal Statements recently is the use of AI. Currently, UCAS doesn’t ban the use of AI for writing Personal Statements, but it strongly advises against over-relying on it. While AI can be helpful for tasks like simplifying sentences or proofreading for mistakes, it’s better to avoid using it to write large sections of your statement.
5.
Get Inspired
Before you begin writing your Personal Statement, take a look at some example statements to get inspiration on what to include and how to structure your writing. We have a large library of over 25 Personal Statements from successful applicants which can offer excellent inspiration for your own Personal Statement:
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The Admissions Test
We’ve covered all of the standard UCAS requirements for university requirements, but some applicants at LSE may need to complete an additional step to get their offer. This is the admissions tests, of which LSE uses three.Â
Other universities like Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial College London also use a wide variety of admissions tests, so if you’re applying to any of these universities, you may need to complete additional tests alongside the ones listed below.Â
Let’s review each of the three admissions tests used at LSE to understand what you should expect:Â
Test of Mathematics for University Admissions (TMUA)
The TMUA is used for multiple courses at LSE. Â It’ss a two-part multiple-choice exam testing mathematical ability in a variety of disciplines. This test lasts two and a half hours and contains 40 questions in total.Â
Depending on the course you’re applying to, the TMUA will either be an essential part of the application process or an option addition to help support yourself. Two courses required TMUA results to be submitted:Â
Depending on the course you’re applying to, the TMUA will either be an essential part of the application process or an option addition to help support yourself. Two courses required TMUA results to be submitted:Â
The TMUA is operated by UAT and by Pearson VUE, meaning it is a computer-based test that must be sat at a dedicated testing centre, there are two testing periods throughout the year: one in October and one in January. Applicants for LSE can sit the test during either one unless they are also applying to the University of Cambridge, which only allows you to take the test in October.Â
Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT)
The LNAT is the standardised admissions test for undergraduate law degrees that is used at a number of universities in the UK (though not all). The test consists of multiple-choice questions and an essay writing task.Â
The LNAT doesn’t require any specific legal knowledge, as it instead tests general analytical and reasoning skills. The first section sees applicants answering questions based on a series of written passages based on randomly selected topics, while the second section requires them to answer one of three questions in the form of a short essay.Â
Once again, this test is run by Pearson VUE, so it will need to be completed on a computer and a dedicated testing centre.Â
Undergraduate Admissions Assessment (UGAA)
The UGAA is an admissions test unique to LSE and is used for a different purpose compared to the other two. This test is required for applicants of most undergraduate courses who come from a non-traditional educational background. This essentially means that it’s required for applicants who either do not have any recent relevant educational history or have obtained qualifications that are not individually recognised. by the university.
The is made of two sections that test mathematical and literacy skills. The first section is an essay-writing task while the second is a mathematics test. There are two different maths papers that may be required: one for non-quantitative programmes that don’t require a grade in maths and one for quantitative programmes that do require maths. The difficulty of these papers is adjusted to match the expected skill level of the applicants.Â
The test is sat at the end of March each year and is only required by shortlisted applicants who meet the criteria for it. This means that applicants from non-traditional education backgrounds who are not offered the chance to sit the UGAA will not be able to attend LSE in the current academic year.
This is all of the admissions tests used at LSE, so let’s now focus on how and why they are used, as well as how you can prepare for them:Â
How Are LSE Admissions Tests Used?
Based on the details provided by LSE, the LNAT was introduced to help the admissions tutors decide between the large amounts of qualified applicants they receive each year.Â
The TMUA is also used in this manner, although the results are like more important in the two courses where the TMUA is mandatory. As we mentioned, the UGAA is used fairly to assess applicants from non-traditional backgrounds, including those who do not have a standard form of qualification or a qualification that requires additional support from a test.Â
It is not mentioned anywhere that a cut-off score is implemented for any test, so it may be the case that there isn’t a threshold for any of these tests. Instead, the results will be considered alongside the rest of your application, meaning you could still be admitted even if you don’t perform too well in the test. Having a high score will always be beneficial, however, so approach your admissions test as if getting a good score is essential.Â
How to prepare for LSE Admissions Tests
Review The Test Format: Admissions tests vary in format and have unique rules, so it’s essential to get acquainted with these guidelines and understand how the test works. This means reviewing the question types, time constraints, and the topics covered. For tests that focus on specific subjects, you can find a detailed breakdown of the content in their online specifications.
Also, pay attention to any computer systems that might be used during the exam. For example, Pearson VUE tests use specialised software that includes a built-in calculator and various keyboard shortcuts—knowing these in advance can save you time and boost your performance.
Revise Required Techniques: All of the tests at LSE have specified skills that you’ll need to understand about utilise under strict time limits. We’d recommend reading through guides that cover the best TMUA and LNAT strategies to improve your workflow.Â
As well as this, the TMUA has a full specification available that details all of the topics that could appear in the test. It’s important to go through this specification to ensure you’re prepared for all the types of questions you could be asked.Â
Work Through Practice Questions: Since the admissions tests at LSE don’t require much subject knowledge, the best way to prepare for an admissions test is through regular practice. You can find practice questions from a variety of sources, such as past papers, official practice tests, books, and online question banks (which often offer both free and paid options).
Take Mock Exams: Once you’re comfortable with the types of questions you’ll face, it’s crucial to simulate real exam conditions. Practice under proper exam conditions to help you get used to working under pressure and within the time limits you’ll encounter during the actual test.
Although there’s no such thing as a “perfect candidate” for LSE, there are many ways to prepare for each stage of the application process. By doing so, you can present yourself as the type of candidate admissions tutors are looking for.
It’s important to ensure that everything you write and say is a true reflection of who you are. If you say you’re passionate about a particular topic in your field, don’t fake it. Genuine interest in your subject is essential if you’re serious about applying to LSE. Being insincere about your motivations is unlikely to lead to an offer, and even if you do receive one, it’s doubtful you’ll have the drive or ability to successfully complete the course.
Remember, LSE is a demanding place to study, but the rewards are significant if you’re committed and passionate about your subject. The applicants most likely to succeed are those who understand the rigours of the course and are ready for the journey ahead. If you can demonstrate that you’re up for the challenge, the admissions tutors will likely take notice.
That said, the LSE admissions process can be daunting. Getting support from an admissions expert will offer a fantastic boost to your chances of success, and UniAdmissions offers thorough guidance throughout the entire application process. Our Full-Blue Programme provides everything you need to tackle each stage with confidence, including unlimited one-on-one tuition, intensive courses, and expert resources – all delivered by university specialists.
If you’d like to start the enrolment process, you can book a free consultation session with our admissions consultants to get started! However you decide to approach your application, we wish you the best of luck!
Boost your chances of getting into LSE with expert support from UniAdmissions
When you enrol on the UniAdmissions Full-Blue Programme, you will have access to everything you need to effectively prepare for each stage of the admissions process. This includes one-to-one tuition, hundreds of preparation materials, live courses, unlimited Personal Statement redrafting and much more.Â
Discover our Full-Blue Programme by clicking the button below to learn how you can enrol and boost your chances of success.
