London School of Economics and Political Science - LSE (UK)
One of the top universities for social sciences in the UK, the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) offers rigorous academics and a unique student experience right in the heart of the city.
With about 40 undergraduate programs to choose from, LSE's degrees cover a variety of topics based around its founding purpose 'for the betterment of society.'
Here are some of the highlights from my visit!
London
First things first -- let's talk about what it means to be a student in London.
Sure, it's the most expensive city in the UK, but you get what you pay for -- and that is a vibrant experience surrounded by 400,000 other university students, where there is never nothing to do.
And for the average American, there is more history on one corner of London than there is in many parts of the U.S.; in some ways it's like stepping back in time.
The other thing about London is that if you attend a university that's part of the University of London consortium (which LSE is), you get access to U of L intercollegiate dorms, libraries and other facilities, making your experience all the richer.
LSE campus
One of the benefits of LSE is certainly the fact that it has only one campus.
But unlike at most of the other universities in London, many of the roads around LSE have been pedestrianized, meaning it feels much more like a community and campus than some random buildings on a corner that happen to be in London.
The area is very busy, just around the corner from the King's College London Strand campus, and it's a lovely part of town.
LSE also has its own housing with a mix of styles, but students can also opt for the University of London intercollegiate residences or private halls.
Founded in 1895, LSE has been open to women, men and international students from the start.
Nowadays, there are 12,000 students on campus, 64 percent of whom are international, which is definitely one of the highest percentages of international students on a UK campus.
In 2022, LSE welcomed 885 students from the U.S. (220 undergraduates and 665 graduates).
North America is also home to one of the higher populations of LSE alumni, with about 27,000 alumni in the region currently.
But it's also definitely one of the most competitive institutions when it comes to admissions; for students from the U.S., they require at minimum a 3.7 GPA and five Advanced Placement exams.
In the 2022-23 cycle, there were 15 applications per place in undergraduate programs, which include everything from law to politics to psychology, economics, history, PPE, anthropology, geography, international relations and sustainable development to name a few.
And speaking of sustainability, in 2021, LSE became the first Carbon Neutral verified university in the UK.
I loved the feel of the campus, especially some of the study rooms in the law department.
LSE also has one of the largest social science libraries in Europe, which also has designated status as the British Library of Political and Economic Science from the Arts Council England.
But at LSE, it's not just about the studies; the school also hosts hundreds of compelling guest lectures and events throughout the year.
Summary: London School of Economics (LSE)
Applying to and studying at LSE is not for the faint of hearted.
Current students agree that it takes a lot of work to get in, but it also requires a high level of commitment and focus throughout the three years studying there, too.
But for those who geek out when it comes to social sciences and who thrive in rigorous academic environments, LSE may just be the perfect place.
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