London School of Economics and Political Science

The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is a public research university in London, England, and a member institution of the University of London. It was founded in 1895 by Beatrice and Sidney Webb, members of the Fabian Society, with funding from a bequest of £20,000 from Henry Hunt Hutchinson. The School was originally intended to be a graduate institute, but it began offering undergraduate courses in 1901. LSE joined the University of London in 1900, and it was granted the power to award its own degrees in 2008.

In its early years, LSE was a pioneer in the study of the social sciences, and it quickly became one of the world's leading universities in this field. LSE academics have made significant contributions to economics, politics, sociology, and other social sciences. The School has also been a training ground for many prominent figures in public life, including Nobel Prize laureates, heads of state, and CEOs of Fortune 500 companies.

Today, LSE is a global university with over 11,000 students from over 140 countries. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the social sciences, and its research is world-leading. LSE is committed to social justice and equality, and its mission is to "contribute to the betterment of society".

LSE is a highly selective university, with an acceptance rate of just 8.9%. Applicants are required to have strong academic grades, as well as demonstrate a passion for the social sciences. LSE is also a very international university, with over 70% of its student body coming from outside the UK.

Based on the QS World University Rankings of 2024, London School of Economics and Political Science is positioned as the #45 top university in the world, which makes it the #8 top university in United Kingdom. The university's global rank is improved by 11 points from last year.