The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is a world-leading specialist social science university with a strong reputation for research and impact. Founded in 1895, it's known for its focus on economics, political science, law, sociology, and international relations, among other social sciences.
| Acronym | LSE |
| Nickname | The School |
| Motto / Slogan | To understand the causes of things |
| Colour | Purple, black and gold |
| Mascot | Beaver |
| Founded | 1895 |
| Location | City of London, England, United Kingdom |
| Address | The London School of Economics and Political Science Houghton Street London WC2A 2AE UK |
The LSE's mission is to be the leading social science university with the greatest global impact, shaping the world for the better through educational excellence, groundbreaking research, and developing people.
The LSE's vision is to be a world-leading center for research and education in the social sciences, aiming to create a better world by understanding the causes of social, economic, and political issues and applying this knowledge to address real-world challenges.
The LSE's primary objective is to be a leading social science university with a significant global impact, aiming to understand the causes of things and contribute to the betterment of society.
Our research informs and constantly invigorates our teaching. Graduate students also play a valued and important role in the School's contribution to scholarship, through the research they undertake during their studies. LSE supports the research of its staff through academic departments and institutes, and also through a range of interdisciplinary research centers. Some 97 per cent of LSE academics are actively engaged in research.
The Research Excellence Framework (formerly the Research Assessment Exercise - RAE) is a UK-wide assessment of research excellence at universities undertaken by the Higher Education Funding Councils every five to seven years. Results from the 2021 REF reconfirmed LSE's position as a world-leading research university, with the School topping or coming close to the top of a number of rankings of research excellence.
The character of LSE is inseparable from its location. Situated in the heart of central London, the School is located in one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. Only a short distance from Europe's financial, legal, and cultural centers, LSE stands at the crossroads of international debate, fundamental to our identity as an outward-looking institution with an active involvement in UK and world affairs. LSE is stimulating, cosmopolitan, and very much part of the 'real world'.
LSE offers a unique opportunity to study the social sciences in a university institution with a worldwide academic reputation, while enjoying the cultural, social, and recreational facilities of one of the world's greatest capital cities.
Entry requirements vary by course. Please check the course page for requirements.
Please check the supporting document page to see the documents required.
Please check the supporting document page to see the documents required.
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Larry spent most of his ... read more
He studied economics, political science and development studies in Germany and at LSE. His main research interests lie in environmental economics, international political economy and quantitative research methods. He has published widely in a range of journals across different social science disciplines and is the author of four books, most recently Robustness Tests for Quantitative Research (with Thomas Plümper), Cambridge University Press 2017.
In her previous role as Vice-Provost for Education and Student Experience at Imperial College London she had a focus on the whole university approach to education and student experience, with innovations in teaching delivery, building communities and bringing more student voice into key committees and decision making.
She has a particular interest in mathematics education and outreach. She is a member of the Royal Society Advisory Committee of Mathematics Education, and its A-level Contact Group for Mathematics. She has delivered the London Mathematical Society popular lecture and Royal Institution mathematics masterclasses.
Emma’s current research interests are in time series and causal inference, with a particular focus on how best to use data to inform intervention policies in transport applications. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications and the Royal Statistical Society.
The School’s first new build for 40 years was the Saw Swee Hock Student Centre. Designed by O'Donnell & Tuomey, the building was shortlisted for the 2014 Stirling Prize. In the 2020s, the Centre Buildings Redevelopment re-shaped Houghton Street and Clare Market and won numerous awards, while the Marshall Building at 44 Lincoln’s Inn Fields is the latest building to transform campus life.
LS... read more
Our 125th anniversary celebrations in 2020 took place in the midst of a global pandemic, and so we are celebrating our 130th academic year in 2025/26 in a changed world.
Having been named University of the Year 2025 by the Good University Guide, LSE continues to develop and change but our founding purpose "the betterment of society" remains as important as ever.