The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is a magnet for globally minded students in the heart of London. If you’re applying from outside the United States (indeed, outside the UK), the big questions are simple: what will it cost, and what funding exists? Below is a clear, current guide to 2025–26 tuition, living costs, and the main scholarship routes international (non-UK) students use at LSE—plus tips to help you build a realistic funding plan.
Tuition fees for 2025–26
Undergraduate (new entrants)
LSE sets overseas undergraduate fees by programme “tier.” For 2025–26, most bachelor’s degrees sit at £29,200, with some priced at £27,500 and a few specialist programmes (notably LLB Laws and BSc Finance/Maths & Finance) at £34,000. These fees are fixed at your year of entry—so once you start, you pay the same amount each year for the duration of your programme. info.lse.ac.uk
If you’re coming for the year-long General Course (LSE’s study-abroad track), the 2025–26 tuition fee is £28,100, the same for all nationalities. info.lse.ac.uk
Undergraduate (continuing students)
If you began in earlier years, your fee follows the tier that applied when you started. LSE publishes a continuing-students table (e.g., 2024/25 entrants: £26,184–£28,176 by tier), plus notes on placement-year and study-abroad charges. info.lse.ac.uk+2info.lse.ac.uk+2
Taught master’s programmes
Master’s fees vary widely by programme. Representative 2025–26 overseas totals include:
-
MSc Finance (Full-time): £48,500
-
MSc Economics: £38,000
-
LLM: £38,900
-
MSc Management (12-month): £41,000
-
Many social science MScs: typically £28,900–£33,000
Check your exact programme on LSE’s official fee tables; the School lists each MSc/LLM individually. info.lse.ac.uk+1
Research (MPhil/PhD)
For 2025–26, LSE’s MPhil/PhD structure charges a full research fee for Years 1–3, £0 in Year 4, and a return to the full fee if registration extends beyond Year 4. The home research fee is aligned to UKRI (£5,006), while the overseas research fee appears as a programme-level “full research fee” in LSE’s table. info.lse.ac.uk
Living costs in London
Tuition is only half the picture. LSE advises budgeting roughly £1,400–£1,500 per month for living expenses (accommodation, food, transport, study costs, etc.). Actual housing costs range widely by location and hall type; LSE’s accommodation pages publish detailed price lists each year. LSE+1
Tip: London rents have outpaced student maintenance support sector-wide in recent years, so build in a buffer and secure housing early. Financial Times
Scholarships and financial support
LSE funding is a mix of School-wide schemes, programme/department awards, and external scholarships. Most institutional awards are need-based (some also consider academic merit). Below are the main avenues international students use.
For undergraduates
-
LSE Financial Support for Overseas Students
LSE offers named undergraduate awards specifically for overseas students (e.g., Kadas Scholarship, Mauritius Scholarship, Beacon Scholarship, and others). Amounts and eligibility vary; many consider financial need plus academic potential. Applications are made through LSE’s Financial Support process once you have an offer. LSE -
Study-abroad (General Course) bursaries
Limited funding is available for visiting General Course students; consult the programme’s “Scholarships and fees” page for current details. LSE
For taught master’s students
-
LSE Master’s Awards (LMA)
Competitive School-funded awards that can cover part—or, in some cases, much—of tuition. These are typically bundled into the central Graduate Financial Support application you complete after submitting your course application. LSE -
Graduate Support Scheme (GSS)
A major need-based pool (~£3 million annually) for eligible home and overseas applicants to LSE’s taught master’s and diploma programmes. Awards vary based on assessed need. Apply through the Graduate Financial Support form in the LSE application portal. LSE -
Taught Master’s Scholarship for International Students (2025–26)
An LSE scheme aimed specifically at international master’s entrants starting in 2025–26; see eligibility criteria on LSE’s site. LSE -
Country-linked awards & partnerships
LSE supports or co-funds major external schemes. For example, for Chevening Scholars, LSE typically contributes 20% of tuition for standard awards and fully covers tuition for Chevening Partnership awards. Commonwealth and other regional schemes are also listed by country. LSE -
Alumni discount
LSE undergraduate alumni starting a taught graduate degree may receive a 10% fee reduction (exclusions apply). LSE
For research students
-
LSE PhD Studentships
The School routinely offers fully funded studentships (fees + stipend) across departments; specifics vary each cycle and are advertised on departmental pages. The research fee structure and zero-fee year (Year 4) also help with multi-year affordability. info.lse.ac.uk
External awards to know
-
Chevening Scholarships/Fellowships (UK government) are popular among LSE students; in some cycles there are LSE-hosted fellowships and numerous Chevening Scholars on LSE master’s programmes. Application timelines usually run Aug–Nov for the following academic year. Chevening+1
-
Commonwealth Scholarships, Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarships, and country-specific foundations often include LSE in their eligible institutions. LSE aggregates many of these on its “Country-based scholarships” pages. LSE
How (and when) to apply for funding
For graduate study, the Graduate Financial Support form in your LSE application portal feeds multiple School-level competitions (GSS, LMA, and named awards) so you do not need to submit dozens of separate applications. Results are typically released on a rolling basis in May–July for 2025 entrants, so applying early for admission improves your funding chances. LSE
Undergraduates apply for LSE’s financial support after receiving an offer; deadlines and document requirements are published each cycle on the undergraduate funding pages. LSE
Building a realistic budget
Here’s a sample way to frame your costs for a one-year master’s (illustrative):
-
Tuition: check your programme (e.g., MSc Finance: £48,500; many MScs £28,900–£33,000; LLM: £38,900). info.lse.ac.uk+1
-
Living costs: £1,400–£1,500/month × 12 = £16,800–£18,000 (could be higher with private renting). LSE
-
Other mandatory costs: UK Immigration Health Surcharge and visa fees (vary by visa length), books, and upfront housing deposits (see LSE pages and UKVI for current rates).
Then layer in funding sources:
-
LSE Graduate Support Scheme / LSE Master’s Awards (need-based, sometimes sizable). LSE+1
-
External scholarships (e.g., Chevening; some may combine with LSE’s contribution). LSE
-
Savings/sponsorship from employers or governments (common for mid-career students).
-
Part-time work: permissible within visa limits, but plan conservatively—term-time hours are restricted.
For undergraduates, use your programme’s fixed annual fee (e.g., £29,200 or £34,000 on certain degrees) plus a 9–10 month living-cost window. Add travel, initial setup costs, and any placement/study-abroad year fees listed by LSE. info.lse.ac.uk+1
Practical tips to improve your chances
-
Apply early—both for admission and funding. Many awards consider early applicants first; LSE confirms most graduate awards in late spring/early summer. LSE
-
Tell a coherent financial story. LSE’s need-based schemes assess your whole picture: income, savings, dependants, and likely expenses. Use accurate figures and documentation. LSE
-
Target country-linked opportunities. If your country has Chevening, Commonwealth, government, or foundation awards, align your timeline (often earlier than LSE’s). LSE
-
Budget realistically for London. Use LSE’s monthly guidance as a baseline and pad for rent volatility; secure housing early via LSE halls or trusted providers. LSEFinancial Times
-
Check alumni discounts or department-specific funds. Small reductions add up, and some departments have niche awards not widely advertised. LSE
Bottom line
For 2025–26, international undergraduates at LSE will typically pay £27,500–£34,000 per year depending on programme (many at £29,200), with the amount fixed from entry. Taught master’s fees vary substantially—roughly £28,900–£48,500 across programmes—while research degrees follow a structured model with a zero-fee fourth year. Add £1,400–£1,500 per month for living costs to reach a realistic annual budget. info.lse.ac.uk+3info.lse.ac.uk+3info.lse.ac.uk+3LSE
Funding is competitive but tangible: the Graduate Support Scheme, LSE Master’s Awards, international master’s scholarships, undergraduate overseas funds, and Chevening/Commonwealth partnerships are the main pathways students use to bring the total within reach. Start early, document your financial need clearly, and combine School funding with reputable external awards to make your LSE year in London academically rewarding—and financially workable.