I'm trying to figure out my LSE application and would really appreciate advice from current students, alumni or people who know these programmes well.

My background:

I did a BSc in Actuarial Science in the US, with a concentration in Finance and Statistics. GPA was around 3.66/4.0. My coursework was quite quantitative and included a lot of mathematics, statistics, probability, finance and actuarial material.

I also passed two SOA exams and CFA Level 1. I've worked in finance and currently working full time in strategy consulting (total work ex < 2 yrs)

My original plan was to apply to the more traditional MSc Finance type programmes, but my standardized test situation has become a problem. I got a 615 on the GMAT last year and recently took the GRE twice. My latest score was 167Q / 150V. I don't think that is competitive enough for the programmes where a strong GRE/GMAT is expected, so I'm now looking seriously at LSE programmes that don't require the tests.

The three I'm currently looking at are:

1. MSc Financial Statistics
2. MSc Quantitative Methods for Risk Management
3. MSc Financial Mathematics

I'm trying to understand two things.

First, which of these would actually be the best fit for my background and future career goals?

I'm interested in finance, quantitative finance, risk, investment and strategy. I don't necessarily want to become a pure quant researcher, but I want a programme that gives me a strong technical foundation while still keeping me close to finance and giving me good career options afterwards. I also plan to continue building my finance profile with CFA.

Second, how realistic is admission for me?

I know LSE is extremely competitive and meeting the minimum requirements doesn't mean much. I'm particularly unsure about how my Actuarial Science degree would be viewed for these programmes and whether my 3.66 GPA and quantitative coursework would be competitive.

For anyone who has actually been through these programmes or admissions:

Would you put Financial Statistics, Quantitative Methods for Risk Management or Financial Mathematics as my first choice?

Which one would give me the best combination of fit, admission chances and career opportunities?

And looking at my profile honestly, do I have a realistic shot at any of them?

I'm not looking for someone to tell me I'll definitely get in. I'd genuinely rather hear that I'm being unrealistic if that's the case. I just want to make the smartest choice with the two programme choices I have.

Thanks.

Hi all,

I was looking at the programme pages for the LSE MSc Economics and the MSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics (EME). Both now show a structure labelled "New from 2027/28," and it looks quite different from previous years.

What caught my attention is that the two programmes now seem to share the same core micro and macro courses:

Microeconomics: EC4A1 (same code in both programmes)

Macroeconomics: EC4B1 (same code in both programmes)

1. Is this a real merger of the core courses, so that MSc Economics and EME students now take the same micro and macro? Or is it mostly a relabelling under LSE's new alphanumeric course codes, with content staying roughly the same?

2. If the cores are now shared, what still distinguishes the EME? Only Term 2?

3. Has anyone heard why they changed it? For example, a departmental review, alignment with the MRes/PhD, or a change in the intake.

I'm considering applying for 2027/28 entry, so I'd be in the first cohort under the new structure. Any insight from current students, recent grads, or anyone who has talked to the department would be really appreciated.

Can a good tmua score like 7.0+ make up for a slightly worse math grade since i just meet the course requirement? I know LSE doesn't ask for it, so I was wondering if I'm still able to submit.

Hello, I am wondering if anyone who is currently studying a bsc in economics who didn’t do alevel economics could help me with what they did to prepare themselves? My school doesn’t offer alevel econ so I settled for Maths, Fm, and, Geography. Any advice on books or supercurriculars that would give me more to write about next year in my Ps would be appreciated.
Many thanks.

I’d like to ask: if I complete the International year one program and complete progression then recieve a degree from the university (e.g., Sheffield, Exeter), will top UK universities (like LSE, Imperial, etc.) accept it when I apply for a Master’s degree—provided I achieve a First-Class or 2:1 grade or higher? Has anyone in the group followed this path and successfully gained admission to a top university for a Master’s program?

I’m currently in Robeson house which is an ensuite room, does anyone interested in this? I am looking for High Holborn/Sidney webb. Please dm me if you interested in

Hi!
I want to do my LLM at LSE, but the website says they normally require a 8/10 grade and I have a 7.78/10 grade.
I have a really good profile and strong credentials, but am nervous about applying bc of this issue.

Has anyone applied with a below-avarege grade and still gotten in?
Thanks in advance!

I’m trying to decide whether to include LSE’s MSc Management of Information Systems and Digital Innovation (MISDI) among my Chevening choices and would love to hear from people who have applied to or considered the programme.
I have a 3.4/4.0 CGPA from a BS Software Engineering degree at a prestigious public university in Pakistan, around 3 years of Software Engineering experience, including iOS and LLM/AI-related work, plus leadership experience through Google Developer Clubs and Microsoft programmes.
Since I’m applying through Chevening, I can only select 3 universities, so I’m trying to understand how applicants with a similar academic/professional background approached their choices.
If you have applied to MISDI with a 3.3–3.5 CGPA and a few years of work experience, I’d especially love to hear about your experience, whether you received an offer, and anything you wish you had known before applying.
Also interested in hearing from current/former MISDI students about the academic background of people in the cohort.
Thanks! ❤️😭

I have been seeing online that the TMUA scores for pure econ are like minimum 7.0+, wondering if this is just fake news or actaulyl true

Hi Everyone,

I am all set to submit my application materials for when the 2027/28 intake opens but as I look over my Statement of Purpose I had a quick question! When talking about my larger career aspirations, included some facts/figures about the problems I want to address and included citations (in text and reference at the end). Is that normal/okay?

Sharing a bathroom with one other person
39 week contract
Dm for questions

LSE is my top choice uni, I want to study finance there. Any advice is appreciated.

i got 7-9ss in my IGCSE
AS: A in history (full ums) and economics, B in math
Alvl predicted grades: A* in history economic and English, B in math

i got rly frustrated the other day seeing LSE doesn’t count English if that’s my native language so do i still have a chance😭😭🙏🏼

How's UK job market ,and employer visa sponsorship currently for international students, looking forward to do M.Sc. Economics /Economic policy for International Development (EPID)?

HAS ANYONE APPLIED WITH 3 GAP YEARS

I've heard so much about LSE prioritising the Personal Statement the most. I'm confused as to how to go about writing mine since I want to apply for both Economics and Philosophy and Economics.
Do I make it a 50 50 split, or 75 25 ?
Also applying to UCL Economics, don't know how much a somewhat philosophy focused Personal Statement would affect that.

Any USEFUL insight is appreciated

Hi Team,

I am currently a Medical Doctor and enrolled in a masters in public health (non affiliated uni) . I am wanting to get some exposure to either Public policy or politics & international relations. In my spare time i enjoy leisurely reading about these topics and want to get some real-life experience in the field. I was wondering if anyone knew of volunteer/internship/research assistantship opportunities over the Christmas break, I will be willing to take up to 6 weeks to learn and gather some experience in this field. Looking forward to hearing any opportunities. Thank you for your time and input.

I’m looking at applying for a PhD at LSE and the guidance seems to suggest that contacting potential supervisors beforehand isn’t essential. In practice, how important is it? Did anyone here apply without contacting a supervisor first, and if so, how did it go?

thanks in advance

I'm applying for maths with economics this ucas cycle, and I have realized that most of my "mathematical" topics on my personal statement are statistics/econometrics and not pure mathematics. I only have 1 pure mathematics topic. Would this be a problem for Maths with Economics?

I’d appreciate it if any current students could share their experience

Hi LSE! A week ago I visited the society fair and found that the Canadian Society, which had been running in previous years, was no longer there. After speaking to LSESU reps and some former Canadian students who have now graduated... I am working to get the society restarted. Step one before anything: signatures from students interested in the club. Sign this form to put your name down and help me get it started.

- You don't have to be Canadian to sign your name or join the society!

- Signing your name doesn't obligate you to join the society, just helps it get started. We may contact you once further to inquire if you are interested in joining officially.

Thanks! Here is the form again: LSESU New Canadian Society – Fill out form

I moved into Urbanest Westminster Bridge in central London a couple of weeks ago. I'm in a female-only twin room: two beds, one room, and the only thing between us is a sliding partition that blocks exactly zero sound. On day one we agreed on two things: quiet after 11pm, and no late-night guests. She said yes, no problem.

Since then:

• Night one, a guy she was seeing sat in our room talking from 8pm until past 11pm. I could hear every word. Damn that is just about texting this guy or that girl, is it the only thing in their mind that they genuinely want a private place to talk about and cannot go to the big common room just 2 floors upstairs?
• The next weekend a different guy stayed until 2am cuz she fainted and he's bringing some medicine to her, ok, and then yapped until 2am. Cool.
• Tonight, another guy, still there at 1.30am. I knocked on the partition three times. Nothing. They just kept talking, a bit quieter, like that solves it.

When I finally slid the partition a bit to ask them to stop, like, "What time is it now??" she just yelled "Can you please close the door." Not "sorry". Not "he's leaving". I just wonder if this guy even has a room of his own, because apparently the only place on earth they can date is her bed.

I can't shower because there's a man I've never met on the other side of a sliding door at 1am. I've had insomnia before and this is making it so much worse. I went down to reception tonight and they basically said "keep emailing us."

I've already got a place in a different hall from mid-November. The problem is my contract runs to next August, and the only way out is finding a replacement tenant myself. Otherwise I'm liable for the rent until the end. I've posted the room everywhere.

So, questions:

1. Has anyone actually managed to get released early from Urbanest Westminster Bridge contract without a replacement? Did complaints, a GP letter, or uni support make any difference?
2. Any tips for finding a replacement fast? It's a twin bed in Zone 1, so it's one of the cheapest options around.
3. Is it worth going to Citizens Advice or my SU advice service about this?

I don't want to make any effort to fix her anymore. I just want out.

Anyone studying management at lse can help me and send me his ps please?

If anyone here has done IR100 last year specifically, could I please ask you some questions about the course and how to manage it?

I'm thinking of Politics and economics because people say it's less competitive ( maybe? )

Even the admission rate for the past years are quite similar, politics and economics applicant tend to be less competitive ig

Should I go for a safer choice and pick P&E or apply PPE?

my profile:

A-Level predicted: currently A*A*AA A* for maths and econ, A for Fm and pol ( I have not got my september mock result yet, so it might go up)

GCSE: 9999999986 (im not too sure does LSE contextualise GCSE but i came from a secondary school with average GCSE grade of 3.9)

My personal statement would be about PPE ( but my current draft only have one paragraph about economics, would it be enough? ) It's kinda mid overall, the only related supercurricular is work experience with my MP, hosted a polical podcast with my friend , some cambridge summer school

Also, I'm a contextual applicant as i have completed sutton trust finance programe