Your application will be considered on its academic merits. An offer of a place may be conditional on attending additional courses and/or passing qualifying examinations at a suitable standard, in addition to your degree. You should note that there are always many more applications than places available at LSE and possession of the minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee that you will be offered admission. It is therefore in your interests to apply as early as possible.

Applications open on 13 October 2008.

If you are taking, or have taken, a recognised degree programme outside the UK you will need to have obtained, or expect to obtain, at least 70 per cent of the available marks in your final year examinations. If your institution uses the cumulative grade point average (GPA) system you should normally have obtained, or expect to obtain, a GPA of at least 3.5 (out of 4) or above. For a table of equivalent qualifications from around the world please see www.lse.ac.uk/admissionsenquiries and www.lse.ac.uk/collections/graduateAdmissions
Summary information is given below (please see 'Equivalence of non-UK qualifications').

Most graduate programmes assume that you will have prior knowledge to degree level in particular disciplines. Competition varies between programmes and the level of grades/marks required will vary. Popular programmes will often look for a first class honours degree or its equivalent.

The minimum entrance requirements for each type of programme are normally as follows:

Diploma

A degree or equivalent qualifications and experience. You will not normally be accepted for a diploma programme similar in content to one that you have already taken at the School.

Master's degree

A first or upper second class honours (2:1) degree from a UK university or a non-UK equivalent in a subject appropriate to the programme to be followed.

MPhil/PhD

Normally a UK taught master's degree or a non-UK equivalent in a subject appropriate to the research to be undertaken. The most appropriate supervisor for your work will be allocated with particular reference to your research proposal.

Any offer of a place would depend on:

the quality and feasibility of your research proposal
your academic qualifications, and relevant professional or other experience, if appropriate
the ability of the department to provide adequate and appropriate supervision

MRes/PhD

Your entry qualification determines which track you will follow if your application is successful. For entry onto either track, candidates should have a first or upper second class honours degree, or equivalent, in a closely related discipline. Track 1 students fulfil the entry requirements for a master's degree and follow the 2+2 structure laid out below. Track 2 involves an exemption from the first year of taught courses and will only be recommended by the course conveners if, in their judgement, a student already has appropriate prior training in quantitative methods and has already completed an MA or MSc in a relevant discipline. Upgrade to the PhD depends on successful completion of the MRes in either track.

MSc (Research) 1+3/2+2 programmes

These programmes are structured to comply with the requirements for financial support from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), which is available only to those applicants from the European Union. The programmes themselves are open to students from any part of the world. A 1+3 programme is a linked programme of a one year master's followed by PhD study. A 2+2 programme is a linked programme of a two year master's followed by PhD study.

For information on ESRC studentships, please see www.esrc.ac.uk (click on the 'Academic' link, then the funding opportunities icon), which also includes the ESRC application form and lists of eligible programmes.

The total duration of ESRC funding for full-time programmes is four years and for part-time, seven years. If you wish to study part-time, you must check that your chosen programme is one of those that have been specifically recognised by the ESRC for part-time study. Some programmes have been recognised on a 2+2 basis – a two year master's programme followed by two years of further study for the PhD.

Admission to 1+3 or 2+2 programmes

If you wish to be considered for a 1+3 or 2+2 programme – usually listed as MSc (Research) in the prospectus – you must include an outline research proposal with your application. This proposal should be a brief description of the research topic you are considering pursuing during your PhD and should explain why you are interested in this area of research. As your research interests will develop further over the year of your master's training your proposal need only be indicative.

If your application is successful you will be offered admission either:

to the master's programme only, with no commitment at this stage to the PhD programme, or
to the master's and PhD programme, with entry to the PhD subject to you achieving specific marks/grades in your final master's examinations and/or other conditions.

Visiting research students

Visiting research students attend for one or more terms and study up to four graduate or undergraduate courses. Examinations are optional, but students wanting to sit the examination in a course must have attended the course for the full year.

Equivalence of non-UK qualifications

Simply having a first degree from your country may not be sufficient for admission to LSE.
The following list shows the minimum entry requirements we would normally expect in terms of the qualifications offered in a number of countries. If you cannot find your qualification below see www.naric.org.uk or go to your local British Council Office for more information.

Afghanistan: Four year Bachelor’s degree with 85% overall
Albania: Kandidat I Shkencave with an overall mark of 8
Argentina: a first degree with average marks of 8 or 9 depending on undergraduate institution
Armenia: a Magistros with overall mark of 80% or GPA of 3.5
Australia: an upper second class honours bachelor's degree
Austria: a Diplomstudium, Bachelor’s or Magister with 2.2 or better
Azerbaijan: Specialist Diploma with grades of 9 or above
Bahrain: a Master's degree with excellent grades
Bangladesh: Master’s degree with exceptional grades
Belarus: Specialist Diploma or Master’s degree with overall marks of 4
Belgium: the Licence/ Licenciaat/ Maîtrise or Bachelor's (since 2004) with 70% or avec distinction
Bolivia: a Licenciado with overall 'distinguido' or 77%
Bosnia-Herzegovina: Diploma Visokog Obrazovanja with grades of at least 9
Brazil: the Bacharel, Licenciado or professional title with 8 or 'muito bom'
Brunei: Four year degree from the University of Brunei Darussalam with second class honour (upper division)
Bulgaria: Bachelor’s degree (started after 2001) or Master’s degree with grades of 5 or above
Cameroon: Diplôme d'Ingénieur or Maîtrise with overall mark of Très Bien
Canada: a good Honours Bachelor's degree with B+/77%/GPA 3.3/ GPA 7.0
Chile: a Licenciado with a minimum overall mark of 5.0 or 70% overall
China: a Bachelor's degree from a prestigious university with an overall mark of 85%
Colombia: Licenciado or Professional Title with overall mark of 4.0
Costa Rica: a Licenciado with four years' study and an overall mark of 85% or 8.5, or a Maestría with five years' study and marks of 80% or 8.0 overall
Croatia: A Baccaleureus (completed after 2005) with a mark of 4 or above
Cyprus: either a Bachelor's degree or a Ptychion from the University of Cyprus, with 7.5/10
Czech Republic: Pre-2001, the Magistr with 'velmi dobre'. Post-2001, a Bachelor's degree with velmi dobre, B or 1.5 overall
Denmark: Bachelor’s degree with an overall mark of 10. Alternatively, a Master’s or Candidatus Magisterii with an average mark of 9
Dominican Republic: Maestria with grades of B, 80% or 3 out of 4
Ecuador: Licenciado or Professional Title or Maestria with 80% or 8.0
Egypt: a Bachelor's degree with 85% in science disciplines or 90% in others. From the AUC we require a minimum GPA of 3.5
Estonia: A Bakalaurusekraad (started after 2005) with grade of 5,A or suureprärane or a Magistrikaad/master's with 'väga hea', 4 or Very good
Ethiopia: Master’s degree with overall mark of B+ or GPA of 3.5
Fiji/University of South Pacific Vanuatu: Satisfactory completion of a Master’s degree
Finland: a Kandidaattii with good grades. Students graduating between 1993 and 2005 are required to hold the Magister with good grades
France: a Licence with 13/20
Georgia: Magistris Khariskhi with overall grade of 5
Germany: Diplom, Staatsexamen, Bachelor’s or Magister with good grades (2.2 or better). We will consider you if you have taken the Vordiplom or other intermediate qualification, provided that you have also taken a third year (at least two semesters) of substantive study beyond that point
Ghana: Honours degree from prestigious institution wih grades of 65%, B+ or a GPA of 3.75
Greece: a Ptychion, with marks not below 7 out of 10
Guatemala: Licenciado obtained after four years with overall mark of 85%
Honduras: Licenciado or Professional Title with an overall mark of 90% or 4/5
Hong Kong: Bachelor’s (Honours) degree with 2:1
Hungary: Alapfokozat (started after 2004) with cum laude
India: a Bachelor's degree with high First Class Honours. Required overall grade of either 60%-70%, (depending on undergraduate institution) or a GPA of above 5.0 on a 7.0 scale from an AIU recognised institution. Honours and Special courses are advantageous but not essential
Indonesia: a Magister with overall grade of B+ or GPA 3.5. Applicants who have achieved exceptional grades in the Sarjana may also be considered
Iran: Licence or Karshensai with overall grade of A, 4 or 17/20
Iraq: Master’s degree with 85% from a university
Ireland: a Bachelor's Honours degree with 2:1 or above
Israel: a Bachelor's degree with overall marks of 85%
Italy: Laurea with 106/110
Jamaica: Bachelor’s (Honours) degree with 2:1 or above
Japan: a good first degree with a GPA of 3.3, B+, 76% or above
Jordan: Bachelor’s degree from University of Jordan with overall grade of A
Kazakhstan: The Magister with an overall grade of 4
Kenya: Bachelor’s (Honours) degree with a 2:1 or above
Kuwait: a Master's degree with very good grades
Kyrgyzstan: Magister/Specialist Diploma with an overall mark of 4.0 or above
Latvia: four year Bakalauras (started after 2000) with grades of Excellent/9 or a second cycle Magistrs/master's degree with 8/Very GoodLebanon: Maîtrise with overall mark of 85% or above
Lithuania: the four year Bakalauras (started after 2000) with grades of 9/Excellent or a Magistra/
Luxembourg: Bachelor’s degree (when started after 2003) from the University of Luxembourg with 50-60 or très Bien
FYR Macedonia: a magistar with overall grades of 9
Malaysia: A Bachelor’s degree with a 2:1 or GPA 3.5
Malta: A four year Bachelor’s degree with 70%, 2A or Upper Second Class overall
Mexico: a Licenciado with very good grades (muy bien+)
Netherlands: a second level doctoral programme (drs/ir/mr) or bachelor degree (when started after 2002) with grades of 7, good or goed
New Zealand: an Upper Second Class Honours Bachelor's degree
Norway: a Bachelor’s degree with B/Very Good or Candidatus/Candidata Magisterri with 2.5
Pakistan: Four year Bachelor’s degree with overall marks of 75%, GPA 3.5
Peru: a Licenciado (four years) with grades of 15 or above
Philippines: a Master's degree with grades of 1.75 or A-
Poland: a Bachelor’s degree (when started after 2006) or the Magister with overall grade B/4+
Portugal: a Licenciado/Licenciatura/DESE normally with average marks above 16
Romania: a Diploma de Licenta (when started after 2005) with grades of 9/10 or the Diploma di Studii Aprodundate with 9 or above
Russian Federation: a Magistr with good grades (4/5)
Saudi Arabia: a Master's degree or a Bachelor's degree (started after 2004) with 85%
Serbia: Diploma Visokog Obrazovanja from recognized university with marks of 9 or Magistarska Dimploma with 8 or above
Singapore: a Bachelor’s degree with 2:1
Slovak Republic: a Magister with good grades (vel' mi dobrý)
Slovenia: a Univerzitetni Diplomirani with six years' study and grades of 9/10. Students who have completed four years' study can be considered with exceptional marks
Spain: a Licenciado, normally with a grade of 8, or 2.5 on the 0-4 scale
Sweden: a Magisterexamen with at least 90 credits at VG
Switzerland: a Bachelor's degree, Diplom or Lizentiat or Staatsdiplom/Diplôme d'Etat with grades of 5/6, 2.2/5, 8 out of 10 or gut, bien, bene, good
Taiwan: a bachelor's degree with overall marks of 80% or a GPA of 3.7 for applicants from a 'National' university. From other institutions, we require a Master’s
Thailand: a Bachelor’s degree from a prestigious institution with grades of B+, 3.5/4 or very good
Turkey: the Lisans Diplomasi with an average mark of 70% or a GPA of between 3.4 and 3.5
Ukraine: a Dyplom Magistra with grades of 4 or above
United Arab Emirates: a Master's degree with overall marks of 85% or a GPA of 3.5
Uruguay: an overall mark of 8.0 or 65% overall in the Licenciado
USA: BS, BA or JD with a GPA of 3.5
Uzbekistan: A Magister/Specialist Diploma with an overall mark of 4.0/5 or 80%
Venezuela: The Licenciado with an overall mark of 8.0
Vietnam: Master’s degree/Thac si with an overall mark of 7.0
Yemen: Master’s degree with a mark of 90% overall/A/4/Excellent
Zambia: Master’s degree from the University of Zambia with marks of A or 2.0
Zimbabwe: Bachelor’s (Honours) degree with 2:1, 65% or B++

English language requirements

If your first language is not English or if the language of instruction of your previous degree is not English, we ask you to provide evidence of your command of English. You should include your test scores, if available, in the relevant section of the application form. If you receive an offer of admission, it will be subject to proof of your score. English tests must be less than two years old at the time of application. If you have not yet taken the test, your application can be considered in its absence, but any offer will be conditional on your achieving the required score.

Each programme in the prospectus lists the level of English required for admission; either Standard or Higher. Programmes in the Law Department have yet higher requirements – details in the individual programme entries.

Standard

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) with a minimum score of 603 in the paper test, 250 in the computer-based test or 100 in the internet based test. For full information on TOEFL and testing centres worldwide, please see www.ets.org/toefl
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with a minimum score of 6.5. For full details about the British Council's English tests, please see www.ielts.org
LSE Language Test with a minimum score of 65 (not accepted by Accounting or Finance)

Higher

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) with a minimum score of 627 in the paper test, 263 in the computer based test or 107 in the internet based test
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with a minimum score of 7.0
LSE Language Test with a minimum score of 70 (not accepted by Economic History)

Other test scores may be acceptable if you have already obtained them. You should supply evidence of your English test with your application and if you are made an offer we will indicate whether we will accept your score or if we require one of the tests above. You may be required to achieve a higher score at the discretion of the selectors. If you have not yet taken any English test, we recommend that you take the IELTS, TOEFL or LSE test.

Please see the Admissions Enquiries System – www.lse.ac.uk/admissionsenquiries – for further information.

These are minimum requirements. You may need additional language instruction before you register to be confident that you can participate fully in your programme. Experience has shown that students who are fully proficient in English are best placed to make the most of all that LSE has to offer, both academically and socially. Please refer to the Admissions Enquiries System for further information.

Additional test scores

Several programmes, notably in the Accounting, Economics and Finance Departments, the Department of Management and the MSc Real Estate Economics and Finance, require GRE or GMAT scores and you should complete all three sections of the test in addition to your other supporting documents. This is indicated in the 'key facts' box at the start of each programme entry. Your score should be less than five years old at the time of application. You should arrange for an official certificate of your score to be sent to LSE from the Educational Testing Service as well as entering your scores in the relevant section of the application form. The LSE institution code is 0972; no department code is required as the scores are processed centrally. The LSE institution code for the GMAT is HMT 86-56. For more information about the tests, please see www.gre.org or www.gmac.com/gmac/default.htm or contact ETS, Box 6000, Princeton NJ 08541, USA. Tel: +1 609 921 9000, or see www.ets.org

In China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea ETS have introduced 'split administration' of the GRE using a computer based analytical test, followed by a paper based verbal and quantitative test. This will be repeated in the coming year. According to the Education Testing Service the paper based test dates are:

25 October, 2008
6 June, 2009

You must take the first of these two tests in order to be considered for 2009-10 entry. The final date for registration for the paper based test is 20 September 2008, so all applicants from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea who are planning to take the GRE must arrange to do so in good time. It is not possible to take the computer based part of the test after the paper based sections.

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