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.