Overview | Academics | Cost | Location | Life Abroad | Student Voices
Experience British culture while studying abroad at the London School of Economics (LSE)! LSE is a specialist university with an international intake and a global reach. Its research and teaching span the full breadth of the social sciences, from economics, politics and law, to sociology, anthropology, and accounting. Founded in 1895 by Beatrice and Sidney Webb, the School has an outstanding reputation for academic excellence.
The student community at LSE is one of the most internationally diverse in the world, with students from 145 countries living and studying on campus. The total student population at LSE is around 8,600 full-time and 800 part-time, 55 per cent of whom are studying at postgraduate level.
International in flavor, London is an unparalleled environment in which to live and study. It is a centre for government and law, Europe's leading financial market and a style setting centre of cultural life. Educational benefits include libraries, professional institutes and all the resources of the University of London. Upon completion of the year-long study abroad program (referred to as the "General Course" at LSE) you will become life-long alumni of the School, with access to a variety of benefits and services.
The LSE campus is situated just off Aldwych in central London, and students at LSE study in the heart of a multicultural city alongside students from across the world. Major cultural attractions such as Theatreland, the West End, the Royal Opera House, the British Library and British Museum are right on students' doorsteps. Whether it be art, architecture, dance, film, music, theatre, sport, shopping or even green spaces and the great outdoors - London really does have it all!
Getting to Your Program
You are responsible for arranging your own transportation to London, but will be given arrival dates and guidelines.
Visa
At application, you should have a passport valid for 6 months beyond the end of the program.
A visa is required for students studying abroad in the UK. On this program, you must apply for the Tier 4 General Student Visa. IAP will provide you with information and guidance regarding this process, but you are ultimately responsible for applying and obtaining your own visa.
Orientation
IAP expects you to be an active participant in preparing yourself for your study abroad experience. As a participant on an IAP program, you will receive a pre-departure orientation, either in-person or online. The type and format of this orientation will vary by program and will be provided to you upon acceptance to the program.
LSE sends you information about registration arrangements and induction is during the summer prior to your arrival. Along with the induction activities organized for all new undergraduate students by the school and each department, there will also be an induction specifically for General Course students, details of which will be sent when the student has received a place.
An on-site orientation specifically for General Course students will be held upon arrival in London. Academic departments may also hold orientation meetings, some of which are specifically for General Course students.
The Associate Dean for the General Course meets with each General Course student at least once during their first few weeks at the School. Accordingly, he holds 'drop-in' office hours during Weeks 1 and 2 of the Fall term.
Housing
University housing is guaranteed to all participants. LSE has a number of sites offering
accommodation solely to LSE students. There are also eight intercollegiate halls which accommodate students from LSE as well as the other colleges of the University of London. Each residential hall is different. London real estate is expensive, so LSE's halls are dispersed across the city. You will be randomly assigned to halls, and will live closely with a variety of people: local and international, men and women, undergraduate and postgraduate.
Excursions and Activities
A well established event at the start of each new academic year is the welcome party for arriving study abroad students, hosted by the Associate Dean for the General Course.
An escape from London to Cumberland Lodge is an annual event in the General Course calendar. The General Course visit acts as an introduction to both the School and the UK and involves a mixture of academic seminars and social activities, as well as the opportunity to explore the Park and Windsor itself. Held over a weekend in the Autumn Term it is open to around 40 students each year, with the cost subsidised by the School.
Throughout your year at the School you will be able to explore the UK and Europe on a range of day trips and short breaks. Past excursions have covered the joys of Amsterdam, the ruggedness of the Scottish Highlands, and the delights of an English brewery! Each trip is subsidised by LSE and offered to our General Course students at a significant discount.
LSE also has an active student's union that organizes activities, hosts clubs and organizations, and provides fitness/sports facilities for the use of the students. Additionally, the union also runs various campus shops, cafes, and a college bar.
Insurance
All participants in IAP programs are enrolled in health insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) and the cost of the insurance coverage is included in program fees. You are also covered by the National Health Service (NHS).
Handbooks
Use the links below to find out more information on academics, daily life and student impressions for this program.
General Course 2013-14 Brochure (Year - 2013-14)
Returned Student Network
Click
here to see testimonials from students abroad or to contact a returned student.
While studying at LSE, you'll be assigned to one of LSE's academic departments; this will be called your home department. You must choose at least one (two if in Economics) of your four courses from your home department. A faculty member from your home department will act as your personal advisor during the year.
Teaching in many subjects takes the form of linked lectures and classes. Lectures are usually an hour long and, unlike classes, are not required. They are attended by all students registered on a course, together with others who are interested in the subject matter. Classes are led either by a faculty member or a teaching assistant and are made up of much smaller groups of those students registered on the course. They correlate with the lectures and provide a forum for discussion and debate, which is usually led by a student presentation.
Past students have recommend that students who plan to take Econ classes at LSE enroll in Math 340 prior to their study abroad experience.
Affiliate Institution(s)
London School of Economics homepage
Program Web Page(s)
General Course homepage
Foreign Courses
Available Courses
Course Equivalents
Use the links below to see a list of courses that students have taken on this program before and the UW equivalents. Note: this list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses or departments. You will get instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance.
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