Choosing where to study, whether at the undergraduate or postgraduate level, is not an easy task. You’re not deciding just about the nearest one to three years but also about what should stay on your resumé for the rest of your life.
To make your decision easier, I made this list of 23 reasons why LSE is a unique place to study at.
1. Focus on social sciences
As the name itself makes clear, the London School of Economics and Political Science is a social sciences specialist institution. This focus makes it a unique place for anyone interested in this field.
2. Place in rankings
LSE is continuously at the top of the world university rankings. Recently, it’s ranked third for social sciences and management (QS World subject rankings 2022) and first in London (Complete University Guide 2023).
3. Studying in a world capital
LSE’s location in the heart of London means that alongside your studies, you get to experience everything exciting that this great city has to offer!
4. Campus location
Not only is LSE based in the capital, but its campus is also located in central London. This means that taking a 15-minute walk after your lecture is over can take you to Trafalgar Square, West End, Covent Garden and many other London landmarks.
5. History
The School was founded in 1895 by the members of the Fabian Society: Sidney and Beatrice Webb, Graham Wallas and George Bernard Shaw. Beatrice Webb noted in her diary that LSE will be “a centre not only of lectures on special subjects, but an association of students who would be directed and supported in doing original work”. LSE has indeed been true to this spirit throughout its 128 years of rich history (which you can explore on this blog).
6. Academic offer
LSE has a unique and rich offer of social science subjects – browse the list and see for yourself. The catalogue of postgraduate courses is particularly incredible in terms of how much you can specialise in a chosen field. For example, the Department of Sociology offers eight MSc programmes, with a focus on political, economic, cultural and urban dimensions, etc.
7. Academic staff
LSE gathers some of the world-leading academics who are not only extremely passionate about their fields but also truly wonderful teachers. They usually do not restrict themselves to the academia but are vocal in the media on current affairs and are sought out as advisers, consultants and commentators.
8. Employability
92.8% of graduates entered employment or study within 15 months after finishing LSE, and the median salary for an alumn is £35,000. Clearly, LSE graduates are valued in the job market.
9. Career services
Graduates’ employability is undoubtedly strongly boosted by LSE’s career services. From relevant career events to individual appointments addressing your specific needs, there’s plenty of help and support for you, whatever your dream career is (or indeed even if you have no idea at all!).
10. Alumni
LSE alumni include Nobel Prize winners, world leaders and people from the world of business, politics and academia. Overall, there are 219,000 alumni worldwide. There are also several exciting fictional alumni.
11. Debates that shape the world
LSE’s mission for 2030 is to be the leading social science institution, with the greatest global impact. This means that the School aims to be at the forefront of the most crucial debates about the shape of our world, whether in the form of its research, teaching or public events. Its students are an indispensable part of this.
