LSE Admissions Guide 2025: BSc Politics & BSc International Relations
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is globally recognized for its excellence in the social sciences, particularly in politics and international relations. Each year, thousands of ambitious students apply to these programs, drawn by LSE’s reputation, location, academic rigor, and global network of scholars and policymakers.
If you are applying to BSc Politics or BSc International Relations (IR), this guide will walk you through everything you need to know: entry requirements, program structure, competitiveness, admissions strategy, and how to craft a strong application.
Dreaming of a top US or UK university? Get expert guidance from Oxford, Harvard, and LSE graduates who know what it takes to succeed.
What’s included in this blog:
Why study politics or International Relations at LSE?
The Politics and International Relations Courses
LSE admissions requirements
English language requirements
How to apply to LSE
Key UCAS application deadlines
How competitive is LSE?
How to write a strong Politics or IR personal statement
Why study politics or International Relations at LSE?
LSE offers a uniquely global academic environment:
Students come from 140+ countries.
Faculty include world-leading political scientists and IR theorists.
London provides unmatched access to embassies, international organizations, NGOs, think tanks, and political institutions.
LSE's politics and IR graduates often pursue careers in:
Diplomacy and foreign service.
International organizations (UN, NATO, EU, World Bank)
Public policy and government.
Journalism and political analysis.
Consulting, research, and academia.
Studying these subjects at LSE equips you with analytical rigor, global awareness, and strong writing and research skills - all of which are highly valued in today’s interconnected world.
The Politics and International Relations Courses
BSc Politics
Best for students that are deeply interested in political theory, democracy, public policy, political institutions, and comparative politics.
What will you study:
Political Theory (classical and modern).
Comparative Politics.
Public Policy Analysis.
Power, states, and institutions.
Empirical political methods.
Optional modules from across LSE that you can intertwine with this BSc: economics, law, sociology, philosophy, and much more!
The program develops critical thinking, argumentation, analytical writing, and the ability to evaluate political systems for multiple theoretical perspectives.
This course will be ideal for future policymakers, researchers, journalists, civil servants, or students planning postgraduate study in political science.
BSc International Relations (IR)
Best for students that are fascinated by global power dynamics, foreign policy, war and peace, diplomacy, and the international system.
LSE’s IR department is one of the most established and respected in the world, making this program highly competitive and academically demanding!
Core areas include:
International political theory.
Foreign policy analysis.
Global political economy.
Security studies and conflict.
Regional specialization courses (Europe, Asia, Middle East, etc.)
Students can also take electives in economics, history, languages, and other social sciences, giving flexibility and breadth.
This program suits applicants aiming for careers in diplomacy, global governance, NGOs, security analysis, international law, consulting, or academia.
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Admissions requirements
LSE's politics and IR programs are among the most competitive in the UK. For that reason, meeting the minimum requirement doesn’t guarantee an offer!
Typical offers that are accepted are:
| Qualification | BSc Politics & BSc International Relations |
|---|---|
| A-Levels | AAA |
| IB Diploma | 38 points (typically 6/6/6 at Higher Level, often including 7/6/6) |
| International Diplomas | Assessed on a case-by-case basis |
| GCSEs | Strong pre-16 academic profile, usually several grades of A (7) and A* (8–9) |
Essay-based subjects are highly valued for both programs, such as:
Politics
History
English
Philosophy
Economics
Math is not a requirement, but strong analytical writing ability is essential.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you must meet LSE’s standards through IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent. Planning early is important, as missing the required score can delay your admission.
How to apply to LSE
All applications go through the UK admissions portal, called UCAS, not directly to LSE.
Key UCAS application deadlines:
The deadline to submit your application is January 14th (18:00 GMT) of the year your course is scheduled to begin.
For example, if you’re hoping to start at LSE in September 2027, you must submit your application 9 months earlier by January 14th.
It’s best to think about your application as early as possible, as it can take months to write a good personal statement. So, you should be preparing about a year in advance of the beginning of your course.
*Please note that if you’re also intending on applying to Oxford or Cambridge, you’ll need to submit your UCAS application 4 months earlier, by October 15th.
Your application will include:
Personal statement.
Predicted grades.
Reference.
Academic record.
English proficiency (if applicable).
Don’t miss the UCAS deadline.
Start your LSE application early with expert support and give yourself months - not weeks - to perfect your personal statement.
How competitive is LSE?
Both programs attract thousands of applicants globally. Offers typically go to the best students who are academically outstanding, passionate about politics or IR, are strong analytical writers, globally aware and are able to articulate intellectual motivations. Even with top grades, success depends heavily on the quality of your personal statement and motivation.
Make your personal statement your advantage.
Get expert feedback to showcase academic depth, clarity of thought, and genuine intellectual motivation.
Application Timeline for International Students:
| Stage | What You Do | Typical Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Research the Programme | Compare BSc Politics and BSc International Relations; review modules, career paths, and entry requirements. | Summer – Early Autumn |
| 2. Check Academic Requirements | Ensure your qualifications meet LSE standards; gather predicted grades or final transcripts. | Autumn |
| 3. Draft Your Personal Statement | Write analytically, demonstrate academic motivation, refine multiple drafts, and seek feedback. | September – December |
| 4. Submit UCAS Application | Finalise your personal statement, select course choices, upload documents, and submit referee details. | By 14 January (18:00 GMT) |
| 5. Await Admission Decision | LSE reviews applications holistically; no interviews are required for these programmes. | January – April |
| 6. Accept Conditional Offer & Prepare Logistics* | If admitted, prepare visa documents, explore housing options, and arrange funding. | Spring – Summer |
| 7. Meet Offer Conditions & Confirm Place | Once final results are released and conditions are met, LSE will confirm your place. | Summer |
| 8. Pre-Arrival Academic Preparation | Read foundational politics and IR texts, follow global affairs, and practise academic writing. | Summer until start of term |
*A conditional offer is the initial offer that LSE will give if you haven’t yet sat final exams and are applying with predicted grades. You will need to fulfil the minimum grade requirements of the course on results day in order for LSE to confirm your place.
How to write a strong personal statement for Politics and International Relations
LSE consistently stresses that the personal statement must be:
Academic
Analytical
Focused on ideas
Effective statements show:
Engagement with political or IR theory (not just opinions on world events)
Evidence of independent reading
Intellectual curiosity
Experiences that connect meaningfully to academic interests:
Model United Nations
Debate clubs
Volunteering or community initiatives
Research projects
Academic competitions
Avoid:
Purely emotional narratives
Overly personal stories
Unrelated extracurricular lists
Vague claims like “I want to change the world”
Describing global issues without demonstrating analysis
Admissions tutors want to see how you think, not just what you’ve done.
Final advice
Applying to LSE for Politics or IR is challenging, but achievable with the right approach. To maximize your chances, make sure you start early. Remember to build strong academic foundations, craft an analytical personal statement (with our guidance, if you’d like!) and demonstrate genuine interest in political or international issues.
With careful preparation, your application can stand out in one of the most competitive admissions cycles in the world. And if you’d like professional advice throughout the whole application process from LSE graduates, feel free to get in touch!