🏅 QS World Rank #62
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) — Full Profile & Ranking 2026
The world’s leading specialist social science institution — QS World Rankings 2027 #62
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is a public university in central London focused on the social sciences, founded in 1895. In the QS World University Rankings 2027 (published June 2026) it is 62nd in the world. This guide covers programmes, entry, 2026/27 fees, scholarships, advice for applicants from Pakistan and the questions applicants ask most. Every figure is labeled with its year or ranking edition.
LSE Overview
LSE was founded in 1895 and is a college of the University of London. It focuses on the social sciences, including economics, politics, international relations, law, sociology and social policy.
LSE says nearly 50 past and present world leaders have taught or studied there. Because it is small and specialist, its overall QS rank can look lower than its standing in individual social science fields.
LSE Rankings — QS World University Rankings 2027
LSE is 62nd in the QS World University Rankings 2027, published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) in June 2026. QS compares universities across all subjects, and LSE has no science or medicine departments, so a specialist institution is measured differently from a full-spectrum university.
This is a QS-specific result, not one universal ranking. Times Higher Education, U.S. News and ARWU use different methods and can order universities differently.
Source: QS TopUniversities (QS World University Rankings 2027, 18 June 2026).
Key Strengths & Programs
LSE is known for:
- Economics and econometrics
- Politics and international relations
- Law
- Social policy, sociology and anthropology
- Accounting, finance and management
- Geography and environment
See the official website for the full list.
Explore Related Guides & Rankings
Admission Requirements
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Confirm all details on LSE’s official pages.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Application | Undergraduate applications are made through UCAS |
| Entry | Strong results in the qualification you offer, with subject requirements for programmes such as economics that ask for mathematics |
| English | An accepted English test is needed. Check the score for your programme. |
| Master’s | A relevant Bachelor’s degree with strong grades |
| Documents | Transcripts, references, personal statement and English evidence |
Official source: LSE — Study at LSE.
LSE Acceptance Rate
LSE does not publish one acceptance rate that applies to every programme. Entry is highly competitive. The old “about 9%” figure on this page was not tied to a source and has been removed.
Practical Application Checklist
- Choose your programme and read its entry and language requirements
- Check the application deadline for your intake
- Book an English (or other required) language test
- Prepare transcripts, identification and any required documents
- Apply and accept your offer
- Meet the visa or residence-permit conditions for your destination
- Plan funding for tuition and living costs
- Verify every date, fee and requirement on LSE’s official website before submitting
Tuition & Costs
LSE’s table of fees for 2026/27 lists overseas undergraduate tuition by programme tier, from £28,900 to £39,900 a year:
- From £28,900: for example BA Geography, BA History and BSc Politics
- £30,700: for example BSc International Relations and BSc Actuarial Science
- £35,700 to £39,900: for example BSc Accounting and Finance, BSc Economics (£39,900 for Econometrics and Mathematical Economics)
LSE says an overseas undergraduate fee is fixed for the year of entry, so you pay the same amount each year of the degree. The old “£25,000 to £33,000” range on this page was out of date. London rent and living costs are extra.
Source: LSE — Table of fees 2026/27. Fees, dates and rules change each year.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
- LSE scholarships and bursaries: LSE offers awards for international students. Rules and amounts change, so check the current list.
- UK government awards: Chevening and Commonwealth schemes fund some master’s students from Pakistan
- Other aid: compare options in our fully funded scholarships for 2027 guide
- No guarantee: awards are competitive, not automatic
LSE for Pakistani Students
Pakistani applicants follow the standard UK international process:
- Entry: check A-level, IB or other accepted qualifications for your programme
- English: prepare an accepted test. Our IELTS preparation guides can help.
- Scholarships: check LSE and UK government awards early
- Visa: a UK Student visa is required and its rules change
- Budget: plan for tuition plus London rent and living costs
Campus & Student Life
- LSE sits in central London, around Houghton Street near Holborn and Covent Garden
- The campus is compact and urban, with no single green campus
- LSE has halls of residence, and many students rent privately
- Student societies cover culture, sport and academic interests
Research & Career Opportunities
- LSE is research-intensive, with notable work in economics, politics and law
- London offers finance, consulting, government, law and international organisations
- LSE has a large careers service for its students
- LSE does not guarantee employment, salary or visa outcomes
Notable Alumni
- Juan Manuel Santos, former President of Colombia, earned an MSc in Economics in 1975 and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2016
- Tsai Ing-wen, former President of Taiwan, earned a PhD in Law in 1984
- Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, earned an LLB in 1986
- Clement Attlee, UK Prime Minister 1945 to 1951, was a lecturer at LSE (not a student)
Contact & Location
London School of Economics and Political Science
Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE, United Kingdom
Official website: lse.ac.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
LSE is ranked 62nd in the QS World University Rankings 2027, published in June 2026.
LSE is a small specialist institution, and QS compares universities across all subjects, so its overall position can look lower than its strength in social science fields.
LSE is best known for economics, politics and international relations, law and social policy.
For 2026/27, overseas undergraduate tuition ranges from £28,900 to £39,900 a year depending on the programme, and the fee is fixed for your year of entry.
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Check the deadline and entry requirements for your programme.
Yes. LSE offers awards, and UK government schemes such as Chevening fund some master’s students. They are competitive.
Yes. Pakistani applicants follow the international route and should check entry requirements, English tests and visa rules.
LSE does not publish one overall rate. Entry is highly competitive and varies by programme.
LSE says nearly 50 past and present world leaders have taught or studied there.
Check LSE’s official admissions and fee pages. Fees, deadlines and rules can change.
Compare LSE With Other Top Universities
Disclaimer: This page is based on the QS World University Rankings 2027, LSE’s official pages, and other publicly available sources, last checked in October 2026. Fees, rankings, deadlines, and admission rules change, and no admission, funding, visa, or employment outcome is guaranteed. Always verify current details directly with the university before applying.