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London School of Economics

Three iconic red phonebooths in aline alongside a busy street.

Talk to a representative for this program at the Study Abroad Fair.

England, London

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. LSE's 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.  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.

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.

Sustainability

We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.

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Eligibility

  • Academic Year:
    • 3.3 cumulative GPA; 3.5 cumulative GPA if applying to take courses in quantitative subjects (mathematics, statistics, economics)
    • Junior or Senior standing for academic year programs
    Summer:
    • 3.3 cumulative GPA; LSE looks for applicants to show grades of around B+ (GPA 3.3). In some instances, it is possible to accept slightly lower grades, depending on the strength of the application as a whole
    • Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior standing for summer programs
  • Applicants are not required to have a specific major, but they must demonstrate an interest in what they wish to study at LSE, and should have an appropriate academic background in any advanced courses they hope to take.

  • Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Open to UW-Madison degree-seeking students only
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing
  • At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution

Advising Location

Program Structure

Exchange & Direct Enroll

Subjects

Business, Human Ecology, Humanities, Social Science

Classroom Language

English

Housing

Residence Hall

Program Duration

Academic Year: Late Sept - mid June
The academic year at LSE consists of three terms:  Autumn, Winter, & Spring

Summer Session I:   mid June - early July
Summer Session II:  mid July to late July
Summer Session III: late July - mid August

Application Deadline(s)

Year 2027-28 TBD Cost Details
Year 2026-27 2/20/2026 Cost Details
Summer 2026 - [Session One] 3/6/2026 Cost Details
Summer Session Application Deadlines: The following deadlines apply to all summer sessions. Priority application deadline is December 1, 2025. Because availability for some LSE Summer courses can be limited, you are encouraged to apply by the priority deadline. Applications will be reviewed by IAP after this deadline. Accepted students will be given access to the LSE summer application and course enrollment information. After the priority deadline, applications will still be reviewed on a rolling basis until the final deadline, March 6, 2026.
Summer 2026 - [Session Two] 3/6/2026 Cost Details
Summer 2026 - [Session Three] 3/6/2026 Cost Details
Summer 2026 - [Session One & Two] 3/6/2026 Cost Details
Summer 2026 - [Session Two & Three] 3/6/2026 Cost Details
Summer 2026 - [Session One, Two, & Three] 3/6/2026 Cost Details
Summer 2027 - [Session One] 3/5/2027 Cost Details
Summer 2027 - [Session Two] 3/5/2027 Cost Details
Summer 2027 - [Session Three] 3/5/2027 Cost Details
Summer 2027 - [Session One & Two] 3/5/2027 Cost Details
Summer 2027 - [Session Two & Three] 3/5/2027 Cost Details
Summer 2027 - [Session One, Two, & Three] 3/5/2027 Cost Details

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

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Academic Year Program (The General Course)
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.

Economics Students
•  If you plan to declare an Economics major at UW-Madison, you should do so prior to going abroad.
•  All Econ students (both declared majors and prospects) must connect with UW’s Econ department as part of their study abroad planning process to confirm if it’s a good academic fit.   Learn more about Econ academic advising.
•  All Economics students (both declared majors and those considering the major) are advised to take Econ 301, 302 (or 311 and 312), and Econ 310 at UW-Madison prior to participating in this program.  This is to help students stay on track with major requirements, and to be better prepared for Econ courses at LSE.
•  Past participants recommend that students who plan to take Econ classes at LSE enroll in Math 340 prior to studying abroad.

LSE Summer School
Spend your summer at one of the most well-renowned institutions in the world, in one of the greatest cities in the world!  The LSE Summer School is the largest of its kind in the whole of Europe. This program offers courses from a diverse range of disciplines including business and management, accounting, finance, law, economics, international relations, and more. From Economic Policy to Cyberlaw, the courses are wide-ranging and aim to suit all interests.

Created by LSE faculty and taught to a degree standard by LSE lecturers, the classes are designed to give you the same learning experience as LSE full-time students.  Be sure to read about the Summer School learning experience to determine if this program is a good fit for you.

The Summer School consists of 3 sessions, each 3 weeks long.  You have the option of completing 1, 2, or 3 sessions (3, 6, or 9 weeks).  Students enroll in one course per session.  Each course is worth 3 UW credits.  UW students are required to receive academic credit and grades for each LSE Summer School course they enroll in, therefore, assessment/exams are also required.

Important note:  LSE recommends students apply as early as possible to this program due to limited housing space.  The sooner you apply and are accepted to the program, the sooner you can apply for LSE housing.

When reviewing the course equivalent list below, please be aware that it includes both academic year and summer class options.  Be sure to review LSE's website for a list of classes offered for each duration.

Program Web Pages

Academic Year (General Course) homepage LSE Summer School homepage

Foreign Courses

Academic Year (General Course): Choosing your courses at LSE LSE Summer School Courses

Course Equivalents

Use the links below to see a list of courses that past students have taken on this program and the UW equivalents. Note: This list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses, departments or equivalents. Courses may not be available the semester you are abroad. You will receive instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance. View Course Equivalents