Undergraduate

UCAS code: L230

Department of Government

BSc Politics

Understand how equality, sovereignty and rights are shaped by politics globally. Gain the skills for a rewarding career in politics, journalism, or policy.

Key information

Study mode

Home full-time (Three years)Open

Overseas full-time (Three years)Open

Academic year

2025/26

Start date

20 September 2025

Location

Houghton Street, London

Application deadline

29 January 2025

Overview

Introduction

What is political power? How can we create a fairer society? How can world leaders combat climate change and fight terrorism?

Our Politics degree programme looks at the concepts and theories behind politics, exploring issues such as justice, democracy, liberty, sovereignty and rights.

You’ll compare political systems and practices in diverse cultures and countries, learning about political processes and using empirical analysis to answer the most pressing political and social issues of our time.

As you progress, you’ll be studying topics such as political science, comparative politics, rational choice theory, political economy, public administration and public policy, European politics and political theory.

In your third year, you can complete a dissertation on a topic of your choice – allowing you to pursue an area of specific interest and develop a whole host of transferable skills for your future career.

Preliminary readings

If you wish to gain further insight into the subject we suggest that you look at one or more of the following books:

The general character of politics

J Colomer The Science of Politics: an introduction (Oxford University Press, 2011)
R Goodin The Oxford Handbook of Political Science (Oxford University Press, 2009)
I Katznelson and H Milner (eds.) Political Science: state of the discipline (Wiley, 2002)Political thought

Many classic texts of political thought are readily available in a variety of editions:

Machiavelli The Prince (Penguin, 2003)
J S Mill Considerations on Representative Government (Serenity Publishers, 2008)
M Wollstonecraft A Vindication of the Rights of Women (Vintage Classics, 2015)Political analysis and political institutions

W R Clark, M Golder and S Nadenichek Golder Principles of Comparative Politics (CQ Press, 2009)
P Dunleavy and J Dryzek Theories of the Democratic State (Palgrave Macmillan, 2009)
R Morton Analyzing Elections (Norton, 2006)
E Ostrom Governing the Commons: the evolution of institutions for collective action (Cambridge University Press, 1990/2015)

Entry requirements

Here, you can check our entry requirements for GCSEs, A-levels (please read them alongside our information about subject combinations) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. We also consider applications from students with a range of other UK qualifications and from overseas. Please select the overseas button below and choose your country from the dropdown list to find the equivalency to A-levels of your qualification.

GCSEs

For GCSEs, you’ll need a strong pre-16 academic profile such as several GCSE grades of A (or 7) and A* (or 8-9).

We also ask for a good set of GCSE grades or equivalent across a broad range of subjects, with a minimum of grade B (or 6) in GCSE English and Mathematics.

A-levels

AAA

We also consider your AS grades, if available.

Contextual admissions A-level grades

AAB

Read our undergraduate admissions information to learn more about contextual admissions.

A-level subject combinations

We consider your combination of subjects as well as your grades.
A broad mix of traditional academic subjects provides the best preparation for studying at LSE. We expect applicants to have at least two full A-levels (or equivalent) in these subjects.
We’re looking for academic students with a genuine interest in and enthusiasm for the social and political sciences.
There's no set subject combination. However, subject choices typically include Government and Politics, History, English, Economics, Sociology, Philosophy, languages and Mathematics.
If you’ve taken Mathematics, Further Mathematics and one other subject at A-level, this may be considered a less competitive combination than a broader mix of essay-based and quantitative subjects.

Find out more about A-level subject combinations.

IB Diploma

38 points overall , including 766 at higher level

Contextual admissions IB grades

37 points overall , including 765 at higher level

Read our undergraduate admissions information to learn more about contextual admissions.

We welcome students from all walks of life at LSE. We want to recruit students with the very best academic merit, potential and motivation. So, whatever your background, please do apply. Get all the details on our general entry requirements.

Competition for places at LSE is high. We cannot guarantee you an offer of a place even if you’re predicted or achieve our standard entry requirements.

Our standard offer requirements are intended only as a guide and, in some cases, you’ll be asked for different grades.

Meet LSE wherever you're in the world!

Discover more about being an LSE student by attending an open day or campus tour, meeting us in a city near you, or booking a place in one of our online discovery sessions.

Programme content

On this programme, you’ll study 12 units over three years, plus LSE100.

Anthropology, International History and Sociology specialisms

If you’ve passed at least three full course units in Anthropology, International History or Sociology, you can opt to add a specialism in this subject to your degree certificate and transcript – for example, BSc Politics (with International History).

You can take courses in this specialism at any level but this must include at least one unit in the specialism in your third year. You’ll not be limited to certain courses or types of courses in any of the three other departments.

Year 1

You’ll take two compulsory and two optional courses in politics and LSE100.

GV100

One unit

Introduction to Political Theory

GV101

One unit

Introduction to Political Science

LSE100

Half unit

The LSE Course

One course from a list of options inside and outside the department

Browse your options

Approved outside options to the value of one unit

Browse your options

Programme regulations

For the latest list of optional courses, please go to the relevant School Calendar page.

You may be able to take a language, literature or linguistics option as part of your degree. Find all the details on our Language Centre web pages.

A few important points you’ll need to know:

We may need to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees due to unforeseen circumstances. We’ll always notify you as early as possible and recommend alternatives where we can.

The School is not liable for changes to published information or for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside our control (including a lack of demand, industrial action, fire, flooding or other damage to premises).

Places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements so we cannot therefore guarantee you a place.

Changes to programmes and courses may be made after you’ve accepted your offer of a place – normally due to global developments in the discipline or student feedback. We may also make changes to course content, teaching formats or assessment methods but these are always made to improve the learning experience.

For full details about the availability or content of courses and programmes, please take a look at the School’s Calendar, or contact the relevant academic department.

Some major changes to programmes/courses are posted on our updated undergraduate course and programme information page.

Year 2

You can choose from a range of government options covering different sub-fields of political science – providing a good grounding in a broad range of topics.

Three government options

Browse your options

EITHER one further government option

Browse your options

OR one approved outside option

Browse your options

Programme regulations

For the latest list of optional courses, please go to the relevant School Calendar page.

You may be able to take a language, literature or linguistics option as part of your degree. Find all the details on our Language Centre web pages.

A few important points you’ll need to know:

We may need to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees due to unforeseen circumstances. We’ll always notify you as early as possible and recommend alternatives where we can.

The School is not liable for changes to published information or for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside our control (including a lack of demand, industrial action, fire, flooding or other damage to premises).

Places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements so we cannot therefore guarantee you a place.

Changes to programmes and courses may be made after you’ve accepted your offer of a place – normally due to global developments in the discipline or student feedback. We may also make changes to course content, teaching formats or assessment methods but these are always made to improve the learning experience.

For full details about the availability or content of courses and programmes, please take a look at the School’s Calendar, or contact the relevant academic department.

Some major changes to programmes/courses are posted on our updated undergraduate course and programme information page.

In the final year, you’ll take more advanced courses that build on the topics covered in your second year. You’ll choose from a range of options, including a dissertation and courses from outside the department.

Courses to the value of two units from a range of government options

Browse your options

EITHER

OR one further government option

Browse your options

OR one approved outside option

Browse your options

EITHER one further government option

Browse your options

OR one approved outside option

Browse your options

Programme regulations

For the latest list of optional courses, please go to the relevant School Calendar page.

You may be able to take a language, literature or linguistics option as part of your degree. Find all the details on our Language Centre web pages.

A few important points you’ll need to know:

We may need to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees due to unforeseen circumstances. We’ll always notify you as early as possible and recommend alternatives where we can.

The School is not liable for changes to published information or for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside our control (including a lack of demand, industrial action, fire, flooding or other damage to premises).

Places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements so we cannot therefore guarantee you a place.

Changes to programmes and courses may be made after you’ve accepted your offer of a place – normally due to global developments in the discipline or student feedback. We may also make changes to course content, teaching formats or assessment methods but these are always made to improve the learning experience.

For full details about the availability or content of courses and programmes, please take a look at the School’s Calendar, or contact the relevant academic department.

Some major changes to programmes/courses are posted on our updated undergraduate course and programme information page.

Why study with us

Discover more about our students and department.

Student stories

Studying Politics at LSE is not just about accumulating knowledge and information; it teaches you to actively engage with the world and develop thoughtful, innovative responses to challenges."

Advaita Sehgal, India, BSc Politics

Read more

The small class sizes here mean that you can get into in-depth debates about the topics you’re covering and with students from lots of different backgrounds and countries, there are always people who disagree with you, which makes for better discussion.

Catherine Rawsthorne, BSc Politics

The wealth of knowledge and experience that we have access to is second to none.

Eleanor Buxton, BSc Politics

The Department of Government is an internationally renowned centre for teaching and research on politics and government.

Within our department, we have 850 undergraduates, postgraduates and research students and more than 40 faculty staff – who come from 80 countries.

Our research focuses on six main areas:

comparative politics
conflict studies
political behaviour and political psychology
political economy and institutional analysis
political theory
public policy and public administration.

The department’s work covers national, sub-national and global politics – with a strong emphasis on public-facing research.

Teaching within the department draws on these strengths and our central role in a prestigious social science institution. As a student, you’ll learn from internationally renowned academics and study in the heart of London, close to the UK’s political heartland in Westminster and the Houses of Parliament.

Our students gain the knowledge and skills to become sharp-minded critical thinkers who apply diverse analytical perspectives to political issues and conflicts around the globe. We encourage students to reflect on what it means to be responsible for addressing urgent public problems and engage in these issues in practical ways to prepare for their future careers. Our graduates find fulfilling roles in government, financial and professional services, teaching and research.

Learn more about our programmes, research, public events and people.

Department of Government

3rdIn EuropeQS World University Rankings by Subject 2024

6thIn the worldQS World University Rankings by Subject 2024

1stWe're ranked top university in London for the 13th year runningThe Complete University Guide - University League Tables 2025

Carbon NeutralIn 2021 LSE became the first Carbon Neutral verified university in the UK

We consider each application carefully, taking into account all the details you’ve included on your UCAS form, such as:

academic achievement, including predicted and achieved grades (also see specific information about this programme in the "entry requirements" above)
subjects and subject combinations (also see specific information about this programme in the "entry requirements" above)
your personal statement
your teacher’s reference
educational circumstances

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency, although this is not needed at the application stage. See our English language requirements page.

306

Applications

25

Intake

12:1

2022 Ratio

We’re looking for students who demonstrate:

an awareness of and genuine interest in current political issues
a willingness to read extensively
analytical skills
an ability to evaluate and challenge conventional views
initiative
good communication skills
excellent time-management skills
intellectual curiosity
self-motivation and a willingness to work hard.

Fees and funding

The table of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes.

You're charged a fee for each year of your programme. Your tuition fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It doesn't cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

Fees:

Home

£9,250

Home student fee per each year of your programme

This is the 2025/26 tuition fee. The home student undergraduate fee may rise in line with inflation in subsequent years.

Fee status

Your tuition fees, and eligibility for any financial support, depend on whether you’re classified as a home or an overseas student – known as your fee status. We assess your fee status based on guidelines from the UK Government’s Department for Education.

Learn more about fee status classification.

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We recognise that the cost of living in London may be higher than in your home town or country. LSE provides generous financial support, in the form of bursaries and scholarships, to UK, EU and overseas students.

Additionally, the UK Government provides loans to UK and some EU students. Some overseas governments also offer funding.

Further information on tuition fees, living costs, loans and scholarships.

£27,500

Overseas student fee per each year of your programme

This is the 2025/26 fee for each year of your programme. The overseas tuition fee will remain at the same amount for each subsequent year of your full-time study regardless of the length of your programme. This information applies to new overseas undergraduate entrants starting their studies from 2025/26 onwards.

Fee status

Your tuition fees, and eligibility for any financial support, depend on whether you’re classified as a home or an overseas student – known as your fee status. We assess your fee status based on guidelines from the UK Government’s Department for Education.

Learn more about fee status classification.

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We recognise that the cost of living in London may be higher than in your home town or country. LSE provides generous financial support, in the form of bursaries and scholarships, to UK, EU and overseas students.

Additionally, the UK Government provides loans to UK and some EU students. Some overseas governments also offer funding.

Further information on tuition fees, living costs, loans and scholarships.

Learning and assessment

How you learn

Teaching

Format and contact hours: teaching involves lectures and classes. Lectures are given by full-time members of staff. Classes are led by teaching fellows, who may either be recent doctoral degree recipients or PhD students.

Learn about the teacher responsible for each course in the relevant course guide.

Classes provide a chance for more detailed discussion on lecture themes and you’ll also learn how to present and critique arguments. Classes are held in small groups (usually a maximum of 15 students).

As a general guide, your formal contact time will include:

four one-hour lectures per week during the Autumn and Winter Terms
four hours of class time per week.

Hours vary according to the course. Get a broad idea of the study time involved in the Calendar within the Teaching section of each course guide.

Independent study

Aim for four hours of study (reading preparation and writing) for every hour of formal teaching/contact time.
This is roughly 30 hours of independent study per week.

 

Academic support

Academic mentor: you’ll meet with your academic mentor regularly to discuss your work. Your mentor can provide advice and guidance on academic issues and, where appropriate, personal concerns.

Other academic support: at LSE, we offer lots of opportunities to extend your learning outside the classroom.

LSE LIFE is a great place to get advice and practise the skills you’ll need during your studies and beyond.

Through LSE LIFE, you can:

attend workshops on developing leadership skills, finding the right study/work/life balance and preparing for the world of work
develop your reading, academic writing and critical-thinking skills
gain experience of working in study groups and develop your cross-cultural communication and teamwork skills.

Disability and Mental Health Service: we want all LSE students to achieve their full potential. Students can access free, confidential advice through our Disability and Mental Health Service. This is the first point of contact for students.

Your timetable

The standard teaching day runs from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Undergraduate teaching is not normally scheduled for Wednesdays after 12 noon to allow for sports, volunteering and other extra-curricular activities.
The lecture and seminar timetable is published in mid-August and the full academic timetable (with information on classes) is published by mid-September via the LSE timetables web pages.
All personal undergraduate timetables are published in LSE for You (LFY). For personal timetables to appear, you must be registered at LSE, be signed up for courses in LFY and ensured that there are no unauthorised clashes in your course selections. We try our best to minimise changes once personal timetables have been published. However, you’ll be notified about any changes by email.

How you're assessed

Formative unassessed coursework

All taught courses are required to include formative coursework which is unassessed. It is designed to help prepare you for summative assessment which counts towards the course mark and to the degree award. LSE uses a range of formative assessment, such as essays, problem sets, case studies, reports, quizzes, mock exams and many others. Feedback on coursework is an essential part of the teaching and learning experience at the School. Class teachers must mark formative coursework and return it with feedback to you normally within two weeks of submission (when the work is submitted on time).

Summative assessment (assessment that counts towards your final course mark and degree award)

Some courses will be assessed by written assessment and many contain elements of continuous summative assessment. Please note that assessment on individual courses can change year to year.

You will also receive feedback on any summative coursework you are required to submit as part of the assessment for individual courses (except on the final version of submitted dissertations). You will normally receive this feedback before the examination period.

An indication of the current formative coursework and summative assessment for each course can be found in the relevant course guide.

Find out more about LSE’s teaching and assessment methods

Graduate destinations

Overview

Politics graduates have a range of skills and can fit into a variety of positions in modern life. Our former students have followed careers in business and banking, in law, in central and local government, in teaching and research, in public and university administration, and in journalism and television.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Median salary of our undergraduate students 15 months after graduating:

£38,000

Top 4 sectors our students work in:

Financial and Professional Services

Consultancy

Advertising, Marketing, PR, Media, Entertainment, Publishing and Journalism

NGOs and Charities

This data is drawn from the 2021-22 Graduate Outcomes Survey, run by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and in full-time employment.

Discover Uni

Every undergraduate programme of more than one year duration will have Discover Uni data. The data allows you to compare information about individual programmes at different higher education institutions.

Programmes offered by different institutions with similar names can vary quite significantly. We recommend researching the programmes you're interested in and taking into account the programme structure, teaching and assessment methods, and support services available.

92%of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.

Data for Politics (Full time) at The London School of Economics and Political Science

Career support

From CV workshops through to careers fairs, LSE offers lots of information and support to help you make that all-important step from education into work.

Many of the UK’s top employers give careers presentations at the School during the year and there are numerous workshops covering topics such as job hunting, managing interviews, writing a cover letter and using LinkedIn.

See LSE Careers for further details.

Discover Uni

Every undergraduate programme of more than one year duration will have Discover Uni data. The data allows you to compare information about individual programmes at different higher education institutions.

Programmes offered by different institutions with similar names can vary quite significantly. We recommend researching the programmes you're interested in and taking into account the programme structure, teaching and assessment methods, and support services available.

90%in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.

Data for Politics (Full time) at The London School of Economics and Political Science

Find out more

Related programmes:

BSc Politics and Economics

Examine the impact of politics and economics on society and our everyday lives on this world-leading programme.

Undergraduate

Houghton Street, London

BSc History and Politics

This programme explores how political ideas, people and institutions have influenced historical change and developments through time.

Undergraduate

Houghton Street, London

BSc Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Study philosophy, politics and economics at LSE – internationally renowned in all three subjects. Gain real-world experience on an external client project.

Undergraduate

Houghton Street, London

BSc Politics and International Relations

Examine the political forces that are fuelling rapid change across our world today and the complex relationships between different nations.

Undergraduate

Houghton Street, London

BSc Politics and Philosophy

Delve into the key political issues and philosophical questions confronting the world today on this joint honours programme.

Undergraduate

Houghton Street, London

原文連結：https://www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/undergraduate/bsc-politics