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LSE: Economics, International Relations & PhD Studentships Guide

The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is a world-leading social science institution situated in central London. Famed for its foundational contributions to economics, sociology, political science, law, and international development, LSE has educated over 50 past or present heads of state and 18 Nobel laureates in economics and literature.

Official university portal ↗Graduate Funding & FacultyResearch checked, not sponsored

Verified degree programs and opportunities

Review checked academic pathways and funding options below:

Admissions, language requirements & application process

Master's admission eligibility
First-class or upper second-class honours degree (2:1 or international equivalent / GPA 3.5+) from an accredited university; quantitative programs require strong mathematical background.
Doctoral admission eligibility
Taught master's degree with merit or distinction (overall mark 65%+ with 70%+ on dissertation) in economics, political science, or related quantitative discipline.
Language proficiency
Higher score requirement: IELTS Academic 7.0 overall (minimum 6.5 in all components) or TOEFL iBT 100 overall (reading 23, listening 22, writing 24, speaking 22).
Research statement / Proposal
Required for MRes/PhD: 1,500–2,500 word research proposal detailing theoretical background, research questions, empirical methodology, and literature gap.
Application fee
£90 GBP online application assessment fee for graduate programs.
Required documentation
Certified degree transcripts, two academic reference letters submitted electronically, academic CV, statement of academic purpose, and research proposal (for PhD).

Tuition fees and verified scholarship systems

Graduate tuition ranges from £25,000 to £34,000 per year for standard social sciences programs, and up to £42,000 for specialized finance master's degrees. LSE awards approximately 80 fully funded PhD Studentships annually covering full fees and an annual stipend of £21,237+ for domestic and international doctoral scholars.

Verified faculty profiles and research leaders

Distinguished researchers and laboratory heads at London School of Economics and Political Science:

Dr. Nicholas Stern

IG Patel Professor of Economics and Government & Chair of Grantham Institute · Climate Economics, Stern Review, Green Growth, Public Economics

Dr. Oriana Bandiera

Sir Anthony Atkinson Professor of Economics & Director of Suntory and Toyota International Centres · Development Economics, Incentives in Organizations, Labor Markets, Social Networks

Dr. Ricardo Reis

A.W. Phillips Professor of Economics · Monetary Economics, Central Bank Digital Currencies, Inflation Expectations, Fiscal Policy

Important verification note

Facts reflect official London School of Economics and Political Science documentation reviewed 2026-10-15. Degree admissions, scholarship awards, and employment positions are subject to formal university review. OpenField does not charge students application fees.

Reviewed 2026-10-15 · Editorial standards · Report an issue