Program Site: The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) campus in central London, adjacent to the Royal Courts of Justice.

Eligibility: Minimum 3.3 cumulative GPA (quantitative majors must have a 3.5 GPA in major courses plus a substantial training in mathematics and statistics) and completion of two years of college before the start of the program. This program is open to anthropology, economics, history, IR, math, philosophy, political science, and sociology majors. A Tier 4 Visa will be required for this program.

Description: LSE is a constituent college of the University of London. Consistently ranked among the top ten British universities, LSE has an outstanding international reputation, not only in economics but in all of the social sciences. London is the world’s most diverse city, with over 300 languages spoken - it also welcomes more international students than anywhere else. LSE is as diverse as London itself: with over half of its 7,500 students coming from outside the UK, it has a distinctly international feel.

Academics: The program for study abroad students at LSE is called the General Course. Students are directly enrolled and can choose from more than 350 undergraduate courses in all social science subjects. LSE puts great emphasis on independent study; students must be self-motivated and disciplined in order to ensure academic success. Exams are held at the end of the year and make up a significant portion of your final grade. To prepare students for the differences and rigors of LSE academics, a series of study skills support options are available, including open lectures on essay writing, managing assigned reading, exam techniques, etc. LSE also publishes a recommended preparation guide called "Economics course selection notes." Please read it carefully when considering economics courses at LSE.

The university has an excellent LSE Events Programme – past speakers have included Paul Krugman, George Soros, Bill Clinton, Alan Greenspan and many more. Students are encouraged to attend these lectures to gain additional perspective on their classroom learning.

Course load and Credit: Students take four year-long courses and can earn up to 30 USC units. There are a limited number of half-year courses available. Download the General Course Prospectus for a list of course offerings.

Activities and Other Program Features: LSE offers a number of subsidized trips throughout the UK and Europe over the course of the school year, as well as an end of the year boat party for study abroad students. There are also over 160 student clubs, which provide the best way to interact with local students. Students enrolled at LSE also become members of the University of London Student Union, which has recreational facilities and organizes a number of events for students from all over the city.

In addition, the USC UK Resident Coordinator leads several excursions in England and Scotland each semester, which are open to all students attending UK universities through USC Dornsife overseas programs.

Accommodations: Students are guaranteed housing in single rooms in dormitories located throughout the city. All dormitories are self-catered.

Dates: Year only, from early October to early July.

Estimated Year Cost:
Tuition................................$43,722
Additional Expenses*............$28,136
Total...................................$71,858

Cost Updated: 5/7/12
Text Updated: 10/30/12


*Additional expenses include estimated costs for airfare, room and board, books and supplies, health insurance, and personal expenses (which can vary greatly from student to student). USC financial aid, scholarships, and tuition remission may be applied to program costs. Please visit the Office of Overseas Studies for more detailed cost information.

Links:
London School of Economics 
The General Course
University of London Student Union
UK Border Agency - Tier 4 Visa information