Getting accepted at LSE marked an exciting new chapter in my academic journey. With its diverse range of courses, countless opportunities for growth and exciting extracurricular activities, the School is a hub of constant activity. From the buzzing energy during Welcome to the strategic selection of courses, from preparing for assessments and projects to planning for the invaluable Reading Weeks, this blog is a guide on everything you can anticipate from the academic year to help you make the most of it.

Enrolling on Campus

The first step is enrolment. You will first need to pre-enrol online, after which you will be asked to set up your IT account. You will get access to Moodle, where you can take the self-access Prepare to learn at LSE course to help you get a head-start before you arrive and also complete the online consent education module ahead of your in-person workshop once you get to campus. You can also sign up for a free department hoodie at this time, which will be ready for collection on campus before the colder months roll in!

Right before Welcome activities kick off, you will need to enrol on campus where your official documents will be verified. You will receive your LSE ID card which will provide you with access to all facilities and services.

Welcome

Welcome in 2024 will begin on Friday, 20th September and will last until Friday, 27th September. Various events will be organised by LSE, the Students’ Union, the Halls of Residence and by your department. You will also be introduced to all the societies and clubs available to you on campus. 

Course Selection

LSE’s various departments offer a wide range of courses to choose from – you will need to select all of your courses (whether compulsory or optional) using the LSE for You course selection system. Some courses require departmental approval, especially those that are highly sought after or have prerequisites. It is important to research well about the courses you would like to take as well as have a few back-up courses in mind (in case your preferred courses are already full). 

The Three Academic Terms

The academic year is broken down into three terms – the Autumn term, the Winter term and the Spring term. The Autumn term is followed by the Winter Break and the January exam period; then comes the Winter Term, which is followed by the Spring Break and the May-June exam period; and finally, there is the Spring Term. For 12-month master’s students and students in Year two of a 24-month master’s programme, the Spring Term extends until the official end date of the programme.

The first term is intensive, with lectures, seminars, and various formative (i.e., non-graded) and summative (graded) assessments. All my mandatory courses took place in the Autumn term, so it was the term where I gained a lot of foundational knowledge. In the Winter term, there was a greater focus on the advanced optional courses. The summer term is primarily dedicated to exam-preparation and the submission of any major projects or dissertations.

Reading Weeks

During the Autumn and Winter terms, most departments arrange a Reading Week which takes place in the middle of the term (roughly in the sixth week) and it is a week without any scheduled lectures or seminars. This break is intended to give you the opportunity to catch up on your readings and assessments, engage in self-study, or even to take a chance to just rest and rejuvenate for a few days.

Apart from this, constant academic and well-being support is provided on campus year-round, as are career and professional-development opportunities which can be found via LSE Careers. Every aspect of the year is designed to support, engage and challenge you. Plan ahead, make friends and embrace the opportunities provided to you – you will achieve significant growth in your academic, career, and personal development during your journey here!