Course Name

UCAS Code

Applications 2007/8

Places 2007

Standard A level offer

Standard IB offer

Desirable Qualifications

BSc Government

L230

522

33

AAB

37 points with 6,6,6 at HL

BSc Government and Economics

LL12

906

45

AAB

37 points with 6,6,6 at HL

Mathematics

BSc Government and History

LV21

288

13

AAB

37 points with 6,6,6 at HL

BSc Politics and Philosophy

LV25

N/A New for 2009

N/A New for 2009

AAB

37 points with 6,6,6 at HL

1.

What qualifications does LSE look for?

(a)

Subject combinations
The Government selectors are looking for academic students with a genuine interest in and enthusiasm for the social and political sciences. There is no one ‘ideal’ subject combination, however, as with all degree programmes at LSE, at least two traditional academic subjects are preferred. Common sixth form subject choices include Government and Politics; History; English; Economics; Sociology; Philosophy and Maths.

However, if you are applying for the Government and Economics degree programme you will have a clear advantage if you have studied, or are studying, Maths to at least AS (or higher) level. This is to ensure you will be able to complete the Economics modules at LSE for which a high level of mathematical competence is required. Applicants who have not studied Mathematics to A level, (or equivalent) standard will be required to take a one year ‘catch-up’ course in maths and statistics during their first year at LSE.

Please note:  The information regarding subject combinations given above is for guidance purposes only. Candidates who are taking alternative subjects to those listed above will not necessarily be disadvantaged or rejected on the basis of their subject combinations. Further information about A level (or equivalent) subject combinations is available by following the link to the Undergraduate Prospectus ‘How to Apply’ section.

(b)

Academic profile (predicted and achieved grades)
Successful applicants for these degrees are, typically, predicted AAA in their A level examinations (or 37 and above IB points, with higher level subjects as the above list) and have already achieved excellent GCSE grades including a significant number at A and A*. In terms of GCSE grades, the selectors consider not just the number of top GCSE grades that you have, but also your overall GCSE subject profile.

If you are currently following an A level or IB programme but have not previously studied a GCSE curriculum, you should still list your most recent school leaving qualifications in the relevant section of the UCAS form 

Your AS grades are also taken into consideration as these give the selectors a clear indication of your ability to satisfy the minimum A level entry requirements. Thus the higher your AS grades the better chance you will have of being made an offer.

Please remember, however, that the information above relates to minimum entry standards. Applicants who are predicted AAA at A level or 37 and above points for the IB are not automatically guaranteed an offer; much will depend on other factors such as motivation and commitment to further study, as outlined in the personal statement.

The selectors have the discretion, in exceptional circumstances, to vary the standard A level or IB offer, if they feel it is appropriate to do so.

2.

Which international qualifications are accepted?

A wide range of international qualifications are accepted in lieu of A levels, for example the American College Board Advanced Placement (AP), the Irish Leaving Certificate (ILC), the European Baccalaureate (EB), the French Baccalaureate (FB) and the Abitur. Canadian and Australian High School Diplomas are also accepted.

In addition strong applicants with other international qualifications may be asked to sit our LSE Entrance Examination. This allows LSE academics to see examples of written English performed under examination conditions and is particularly useful where school certification is not based upon a standardised national curriculum. The Entrance Examination, which comprises a précis section, an essay section and a Mathematics section, can be taken at any recognised centre anywhere in the world; without any financial cost.

For more information on the qualifications that are accepted without the need to sit the Entrance Examination and those for which the Entrance Examination will be required, see the country-by-country guide.

3.

What is looked for in the Personal Statement?

The Government Department at LSE does not routinely interview applicants as part of its decision making process, hence the personal statement plays a key role in the application process. General guidance on how to structure your personal statement is available on our Admissions Criteria website by following the link to the personal statement section. You are strongly advised to make use of this information prior to submitting your application, although as with your predicted grades, simply following the guidelines will not automatically guarantee that you will be made an offer.

For Government, we are looking for an original and well written statement which demonstrates your awareness of and genuine interest in current political issues and their alleviation. We are interested in your views and opinions as well as the experiences you have had which have resulted in your desire to focus on this exciting field of study. Your extra-curricular activities will be taken into account, particularly where they provide evidence of your motivation and desire to succeed, however, they are deemed to be less significant than your academic qualities. The main point to remember is that the majority of your personal statement should be based around your subject interest and enthusiasm. The selectors are keen to know why you wish to study a particular degree programme, whether there are any aspects of specific interest to you, how it relates to your current academic studies and what additional reading or other activities you have undertaken which have led you to apply for this particular degree programmes. Work experience, particularly if it is related to the study of Government or Politics, is considered useful but it is not essential.

For the combined degrees an equal interest in both aspects is essential, as you will be devoting a similar amount of time to the study of each discipline. It is also worth remembering that you may find that you have slightly less freedom in the specific mix of courses available to you during your studies when following a combined programme compared to a single-honours route. Above all you need to ensure that you can convince not just the Government Department’s selector, but also the other Department selector that you are serious about your degree choice.

If your main interest is Economics, History or Philosophy, these combined courses may not be appropriate, since they are designed to allow you to develop your understanding of Government and Politics through the study of two related disciplines and hence acquire a range of transferable skills. However, the benefit of undertaking a combined programme is that it allows you to acquire a wider knowledge base.

Personal characteristics and skills that will be useful to students in their study of Government at LSE (as a single or combined course) will be those such as the abilities to read extensively; evaluate and challenge conventional views; communicate effectively; show initiative; and analyse data. In addition you should possess intellectual curiosity and have the motivation and capacity for hard work.

4.

What is LSE's deferred entry policy?

Applications for deferred entry are considered, although you may, in some circumstances, be asked to achieve higher grades than the published standard offer in the year of application.

If you already know that you are planning to take a gap year you are advised to explain how you plan to spend it, how you think it will affect you and how it will benefit you specifically, as part of your personal statement. 

If, after submitting your application, you subsequently decide that you wish to take a gap year and commence your course at LSE a year later than originally planned, you should contact the undergraduate admissions office with your request. However, no guarantees can be given that you will automatically be allowed to defer your entry, and the selectors reserve the right to refuse your request to consider you for deferred entry or, if you are already an offer holder, alter the conditions of your offer.

5.

Do you consider mature applicants/applicants with non-standard qualifications?

Yes we do. Applications from the above are welcomed and are considered individually on their own merit.  Unlike many school leavers, mature applicants often benefit from a range of experiences which make them well suited to further study, however, it is possible that they will be asked to sit the School’s Entrance Examination and/or be invited for an interview. We recognise it is a big commitment to return to or start an academic course of study after some time out of mainstream education and wish to satisfy ourselves that you know what will be expected of you if you were to be offered a place at LSE.

6.

What should I do if my circumstances change after I've submitted my UCAS form?

We normally expect all relevant information to be provided on your UCAS form. However, we recognise that in a few cases, your family, personal or educational circumstances may change.

If you are affected by any changes such as revised predicted grades (possibly as a result of re-sits), illness (possibly requiring a period of hospitalisation), disruption to your education (possibly caused by a change in staffing or a move to a different school), you should contact the undergraduate admissions office who will be able to offer you further advice.

7.

Where can I find out more information about the course?

Information about the structure and content of the single and joint honours Government programmes can be found in the current Undergraduate Prospectus, or the UCAS profiles for BSc Government; BSc Government and Economics; BSc Government and History and BSc Politics and Philosophy, or the Department of Government website.