London School of Economics, University of London
2014.10.14
Overview
The London School of Economics and Political Science (informally the London School of Economics or LSE) is a publicresearch university specialised in social sciences, and a constituent college of the federal University of London. LSE is located in Westminster, central London, near the boundary between Covent Garden and Holborn in an area historically known as Clare Market.
Founded in 1895 by Fabian Society members Sidney Webb, Beatrice Webb, Graham Wallas and George Bernard Shaw, LSE joined the University of London in 1900 and first issued degrees to its students in 1902. Despite its name, LSE conducts teaching and research across a range of social sciences, as well as in mathematics, statistics, philosophy and history.
LSE offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the social sciences. LSE has a cosmopolitan student body, drawing its staff from 85 countries and its students from 140 countries worldwide. In 2012-13 the School had 9,500 full-time students and over 600 part-time students. Of these, approximately 60 per cent were postgraduates. Around two-thirds of students came from outside the UK.
The School is organised into 24 academic departments and 19 research centres. LSE's library, the British Library of Political and Economic Science, contains over 4 million print volumes, 60,000 online journals and 29,000 electronic books.
The School has produced many notable alumni in the fields of law, economics, philosophy, business, literature and politics. To date, there have been 16 Nobel Prize winners amongst its alumni and current and former staff, at least 37 world leaders, 6 Pulitzer Prize winners and fellows of the British Academy. The school has produced a quarter of all Nobel prize winners in Economics.
LSE is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs, the European University Association, the G5, the Global Alliance in Management Education, the Russell Group and Universities UK. It is sometimes described as forming part of the 'golden triangle' of British universities.
Established year: 1895
Location
The London School of Economics and Political Science is centrally located in London, just a short walk from Covent Garden and the Thames River. London is served by five international airports, all of which are less than an hour away via the city's numerous train stations.
London's vast selection of museums, galleries, parks and other attractions, many of them free of charge, ensures that LSE students will never grow bored in one of the world's most dynamic cities.
The location of the university also presents the opportunity for internships and career networking at the 100's of world class organisations based in the city, and the university's excellent reputation and relationships with these companies ensures plenty of chances to make your mark.
Address: LSE, Houghton Street, London, WC2A 2AE, UK
Highlights/Advantages
- A world leading research university: In 2008 the UK Research Assessment Exercise found that LSE had the highest percentage of world leading research of any UK university, topping or coming close to the top of a number of rankings of research excellence. It has 19 research centres, including the Centre for Economic Performance and the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment.
- Global reputation for excellence: A total of 16 Nobel Prize winners in economics, peace and literature have been either LSE staff or alumni. In all, 34 past or present world leaders have studied or taught at LSE and 31 current members of the UK House of Commons and 42 members of the House of Lords have also either taught or studied at LSE.
- Teaching delivered by leading academics: LSE staff are at the forefront of their disciplines. They advise governments, public bodies and government inquiries, and are frequently seconded to national and international organisations.
- Choice and flexibility of programmes: A wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in social sciences are taught across 24 academic departments interdisciplinary institutes and centres.
- International and cosmopolitan environment: The School has a cosmopolitan student body, with around 9,500 full time students from 140 countries
- Central London location
Rankings
- The 2013 QS World University Rankings ranked LSE 2nd within the discipline of social sciences and management and 4th for employer reputation.
- The 2014 QS World University Rankings by Subject rank LSE 3rd in the world in Economica and Econometrics, 3rd in Politics and International Studies, 5th in Sociology, and 7th in Law.
- The Fulbright Commission has stated that LSE is "the world's leading dedicated social science institution".
- The 2013-2014 Times Higher Education puts LSE thirteenth with regard to social sciences and 32nd overall.
- The Timers Higher Education 2014 World Reputation Ranking placed LSE 24th
- In the UK, the School was ranked 3rd in all domestic ranking tables, including Complete University Guide 2014, The Guardian's Ranking 2014, and The Times and the Sunday Times Good University Guide 2014.
- Its Department of International Relations has also been ranked amongst the top ten in the world in recent years, and second only to Harvard in 2013 according to THE- QS World University Rankings, making it the best such department in Europe.
- 5th in the Times University Guide 2015
- 7th in the Guardian University Guide 2015
- 3rd in the Complete University Guide 2015
- 71st in QS World University Rankings 2015
Accommodation
The LSE residential services office allocates over 4000 places across 17 locations in the centre of London. This gives you unique access to a broad variety of student rooms that suit different preferences, needs and budgets.