The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is the leading social science institution in the world. At LSE are to be found many of the world's leading experts in their fields. The School offers the best education there is in the major areas of the social sciences. It is a place of genuine intellectual excitement and cutting edge research.

Founded in 1895, LSE enjoys a global reputation for academic excellence. All of LSE's teaching and research is undertaken from a social science perspective, giving the institution a unique approach to otherwise common fields. Around 69% of LSE's students, and more than 40% of its academic staff, originate from outside the UK. Students are selected for their academic commitment and ability and the global diversity of the students and staff ensures that LSE's education is truly international, both in and out of the classroom. LSE's academic staff remain actively engaged in their research. Their expertise is called upon by governments, companies and media around the globe and they share their "real world" experience with the School's students.

 LSE's location in the heart of London is fundamental to its identity. It enjoys an easy interchange of ideas with the external environment – Westminster, the City, the Law Courts and the media are all on the School's doorstep. LSE's graduates are found in senior positions around the world and former staff and alumni include 14 Nobel Prize winners in Economics, Peace or Literature, and around 30 past or present Heads of State.

 LSE offers 36 undergraduate (BSc) degrees and over 140 taught postgraduate (MSc) programmes across 30 departments or institutes. As a 'laboratory of the social sciences', the School's academic profile spans a wide range of disciplines, from accounting to law, management to urbanisation. In addition to degrees involving study solely at LSE, there are an increasing number of postgraduate two-year 'dual degrees' which provide students with the opportunity to study both at LSE and at other leading institutions around the world. Postgraduate research degrees (MPhil/PhD) are offered by all of LSE's departments and institutes. Students are invited to submit applications that complement the academic interests of the School's staff. A full-time research degree takes 3-4 years to complete and consists of both taught courses and primary research leading to a 100,000 word thesis.

A wide range of international qualifications are accepted for entry to LSE but applicants should usually have the equivalent of excellent grades in A level or International Baccalaureate exams for entry to undergraduate programmes or very high grades achieved during an undergraduate degree for entry to postgraduate programmes.

 LSE makes over ￡9m of need and merit based financial aid available to its students each year. Awards range from a contribution to tuition fees to full coverage of all expenses and are usually awarded to students from a certain country or region or to students on a specific degree programme. See www.lse.ac.uk/collections/studentServicesCentre/financialSupportOffice for further information.

For further details about LSE email stu.rec@lse.ac.uk or view the LSE homepage www.lse.ac.uk