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What's on in 2023/24: check out everything you can get involved with this year..., lse careers in year, micro sessions with lse careers.

Short on time? Join a range of 30-minute, bitesize sessions on a range of careers topics, from acing different types of interview question to using Chat GPT.

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Find out more about a career in the tech sector, in either technical or non-technical roles.

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Explore the opportunities available in fields or roles that have a positive impact on society.

Whether you already know where you want to go or you’ve barely even thought about the word ‘career’ since writing your personal statement, LSE Careers can help you connect with your future.

Through LSE Careers' range of events, opportunities, resources, and appointments, you can...

• connect with yourself, your interests and your motivations, so you can shape a fulfilling future that aligns with these.
• connect with LSE alumni, so you can explore whether different sectors might be for you, broaden your network, and discover how to make the most of your time at LSE.
• connect with employers, so you can explore opportunities open to you, identify skills you need to develop to stand out, and find work during your time at LSE and beyond.

Welcome Back events at LSE Careers

Missed our Welcome programme at the start of the year? No problem! Join us across the first half of Winter Term at a selection of events designed to introduce you to some key careers topics, from using LinkedIn to writing effective CVs and cover letters:

• How to write effective CVs (Book on CareerHub) , 16 January 2024, 2pm to 3pm – on campus
• Professional skills: how to network online and offline (Book on CareerHub) , 17 January 2024, 11am to 12pm – on campus
• Practice session: getting ready for your assessment centres (Book on CareerHub) , 23 January 2024, 2pm to 4pm – on campus
• How to write effective cover letters (Book on CareerHub) , 24 January 2024, 1pm to 2pm – on campus
• Practice session: get ready for your assessment centre (Book on CareerHub) , 30 January 2023, 2pm to 4pm – online
• Micro sessions – various topics across the term, including networking, acing different types of interviews, using ChatGPT – on campus

Other programmes with events coming up in Winter Term

From sessions designed to help you understand your aspirations, to careers fairs where you can connect with employers looking to recruit LSE students, there's lots you can get involved with this term at LSE Careers.

• Careers in Brussels (including flagship careers fair in Brussels)
• Discover | Careers in creative industries
• Discover | Political risk
• Careers in China (held in partnership with Imperial College London)
• Various internship programmes
• Careers education sessions and workshops and one-to-one careers appointments
• Support for PhD students and research staff
• Diversity and inclusion initiatives and events
• Employer recruitment and networking events (sector-specific)
• Careers in the US and Canada programme
• Careers in India programme  (including a brand new in-country recruitment event)
• Careers in the UK for international students programme
• Discover | International development (ID) programme
• Discover | Public sector and policy programme

New to LSE Careers? Check out our Welcome checklist for how to get started.

Looking for a part-time job visit our careerhub jobs board for the latest vacancies., want to discuss your thoughts or options book an appointment with a careers consultant., make the most of lse careers, catch us on tiktok.

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Browse upcoming events, book an appointment, or search for a job.

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Careers services

The  Department of Finance and LSE Careers Service are here to help you on your career journey and provide you with the best possible opportunities to find your future job.

This page has some general careers guidance for students. We also have dedicated pages for specific careers advice for each of our full-time MSc programmes. See the links below:

• MSc Finance (Full-time)
• MSc Finance & Private Equity
• MSc Finance & Economics
• MSc Risk & Finance

LSE resources to help you

We are pleased to offer our students extensive advice and support to help you set and achieve your career goals through many different opportunities offered by the  Department of Finance  and the  LSE Careers Service .

Departmental Careers Support

The Department of Finance offers an in-depth Professional Development Programme for our students, in order to help develop your skills and assist you in your job search. Just some of these opportunities are detailed below:

Skills training and workshops:

• Introduction to how the City works
• Preparing a CV Workshop
• Networking Skills Workshop
• Case Study Course
• Session on Cover Letters and Application Processes
• Application form Workshops
• Financial Modelling Workshops
• Communication and personal impact training day at the  Royal Academy of Dramatic Art

Sector introductions :

• FM410 Private Equity  is accompanied by a programme of practitioner seminars led by a range of experts in the field
• A talk on “How to get a job in Private Equity” is led by a leading venture capitalist in the Michaelmas Term
• The City Speaker Series which forms part of the pre-sessional programme is a series of talks by industry professionals from a range of sectors, including investment banks, asset management, hedge funds, boutique banks, consulting and capital markets.

Networking opportunities:

• MSc Finance alumni networking events are held three times a year, and are an opportunity for students to network with alums from the programme, as well as with MSc Finance (part-time) students.

One-to-one careers guidance:

• CV checking one-to-one sessions
• Mock interviews and technical interview practice with our experienced in-house careers consultant

LSE Careers

The LSE Careers Service  is one of the best in UK for the support it offers to students and also its links with recruiters. As a student at the LSE you would be able to access the following:

Employer presentations:  many employers come on campus to give presentations and hold events, allowing you to meet their representatives in person. In addition others hold presentations in their London offices. These events will be a great way for you to learn about each organisation and its culture.

Careers Fairs:  the LSE holds many careers fairs, including a dedicated banking and finance careers fair, which takes place in October. Many of the major banks attend. Once you are an LSE student you will be eligible to register and attend this recruitment fair, and many others including the consulting careers fair. 

Skills workshops:  there are skills workshops taking place throughout Michaelmas and Lent term, including a number of sessions dedicated to your programme during September. There is also a central programme of job hunting workshops plus a range of companies coming in to LSE offering training sessions covering topics including technical finance interviews and case studies as well as insights into specific business areas.

Careers and CV advice and practice interviews:  the team of LSE careers consultants is available for 1:1 meetings to discuss your CV, your general careers options, or specifics such as interview techniques. When you have a job interview coming up you can have a practice interview.

With so much going on, particularly during October and November, when there will often be more than one recruiter event each night, you will need to be focused and targeted when it comes to the time you spend at these events. It is very important not to overstretch yourself and let your studies suffer.

Graduate destinations

Our graduating students go into a wide range of employment sectors all over the world. You can find out more about recent graduate destinations – from the top employment sectors, to the top destinations - from the infographics below.

See our most recent  Employment Report .

Department of Finance professional development programme Taking you where you want to go

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October 22nd, 2014

Internship application: cover letters.

0 comments | 17 shares

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Hello everyone! It’s that time of the year again when all LSE kids are rushing for Goldman Sachs openings .

Not to worry, not all of us want to work in GS or sell our souls to Investment Banks. However, Cover Letter writing skills are an important skill to have and it might prove to be an asset sometime when you actually do need to apply for jobs in the future.

Cover Letter structure

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am currently in my second year reading BSc XXX at the London School of Economics (LSE) and would like to apply for the XXX internship at [name of firm] .

[Company specific paragraph/ Paragraph stating why you want to join the firm]

XXX is notable as one of the leading [industry] firms and constantly sets the bar for innovation and performance … The strength of XXX in the XXX sectors will provide an optimal training ground for interns in [division] and ample opportunities to develop my career. Furthermore, I would like to work at a firm that has a strong customer focus and I believe that my skills and abilities would be well suited for work in this division.

  You can also include: –       Awards/ Recognition –       Areas of specialisation (Hence your application to this firm) –       The values they uphold –       Company events you attended; who you met, and what you learnt –       Current affairs (related to the division you’re applying to) –       Other firm-related details (Example: Corporate Social Responsibility)

[Selling yourself/ Paragraph stating how you are perfect for the role]

I am able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with a steep learning curve. As the [Position] of LSE SU XXX I organised … [what you did] . Through this, I improved my time management skills and developed essential public speaking skills, which would be beneficial while working in [division] as [mould the skills you learnt to the role you’re applying for].

  You normally include: –       A maximum of 3-4 different examples/roles –       Skills/ attributes you’ve learned or possess –       How those skills/ attributes can add value to the firm –       Participation in societies –       Work experience –       Volunteering work –       Others (Example: Hobbies)

This internship programme would be a fantastic learning opportunity. I hope my qualities and skill sets can be of value to [name of firm] .

Yours faithfully,

• There is no one-way of writing a cover letter- the above is just an example of how you can go about writing it.
• Emphasise why you are perfect for the job throughout the entire cover letter- not just in the second paragraph.
• Never state – always elaborate your points. It is better to write 1 or 2 points really well than to write 5 points fleetingly.
• Remember to address the cover letter to the correct firm consistently throughout the entire cover letter – it will be really awkward it you wrote how much you want to work for JP Morgan in the second paragraph, end with saying you’ll be an ideal fit for Goldman Sachs , and send the cover letter to Morgan Stanley ! Not a good way to make first impressions.
• Keep it under one page – HR doesn’t want a dissertation!

Before I end this post, did you know that LSE Careers provides:

–       Career-related guides such as: How to write a cover letter (You can pick them up in their office or read it online) –       CV checking services: 15 minute, face-to-face session with a CV consultant –       Practice interviews:  One to one, 30 minute mock interview sessions

Find out more about the services LSE Career provides and how to book an appointment here .

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Cover Letters

A cover letter introduces and markets you effectively by complementing your CV.

A cover letter tells your story by highlighting your relevant strengths and motivation for the person and organisation you are writing to, rather than listing all the things that can already be seen on your CV.

Always take the opportunity to submit a cover letter if you are given the chance.

The cover letter gives you scope to showcase what interests and drives you, and your enthusiasm for an organisation and the role. You can use it to align yourself with the organisation’s strengths, values and culture, and highlight in a targeted way your knowledge and strongest, most relevant skills for the position.

The content and style are up to you, but a logical and engaging structure is key. Below are some guidelines.

How to Write Cover Letters

Aim for a professional tone that conveys your message to the reader succinctly - remember it's not an essay or dissertation! Write in clear, concise English – take care not to drown the reader with your detail and avoid jargon they may not understand.  The Plain English Campaign  has some good guidance on improving your writing style.

Structure it like a business letter, brevity adds power and aim for no longer than 1 side of A4 in length. However, if the organisation gives you very specific instructions about the structure. length and content, follow their guidance. 

Introduction

Introduce yourself and explain why you are writing. If you are responding to an advertisement, state where you saw it. This tells the recruiter why they are reading the letter, and it gives them feedback on which of their advertising sources are working. You need to think about how you would like to introduce yourself; it could be that you mention the course you are studying and when you plan to finish it along with your place of study.

Why this job?

Explain why you are interested in the job and the organisation. Tailor the letter to the organisation and job description to make it clear that you haven't sent out multiple copies of the same letter to different employers. 

Draw on your research, especially what you have learnt from speaking with their staff (e.g. while meeting them at a fair or event, or during work shadowing/experience) as this will demonstrate an awareness and understanding of them that goes beyond the corporate website. Be specific about why the position is particularly attractive for you, and back this up with evidence from your past, or by linking this to your overall career plans, and what you find exciting about this sector, don’t just repeat the text from their publicity material.

Explain why you are well-suited to the position. Refer to the most relevant skills (c.3-5), experience and knowledge you have and match what you say to the requirements outlined in the job description. Tell your story and highlight key evidence so that you are building on your CV, but not using exactly the same phrases. Make sure you read our guidance on  demonstrating you fit the job criteria  for more advice.

As your aim is to convince the recruiter that you are a suitable candidate for the job,  focus on your accomplishments and the transferable skills that are relevant to the role. State explicitly how you match the job criteria – don’t expect the person reading your letter to infer your skills or experiences for themselves. 

Support your claims by referring to examples that are already detailed in your CV. You can make a stronger, more credible case by linking different experiences that highlight similar skills or competences. For example:

• You first demonstrated your organisational skills by creating (an event) at school, and you  have developed them further by raising (£xx) at last year’s fundraiser and, most recently, by leading (another event) for your society attended by (number) of people.
• The role (applied for) would allow you to further explore your interest in mental health well-being  which has driven your success as college welfare officer and the personal sense of achievement gained from working as a peer counsellor.

Reiterate your desire to join the organisation and end on a ‘look forward to hearing from you’ statement, followed by ‘Yours sincerely’ if writing to a named individual and ‘Yours faithfully’ if you have not been able to find a named contact. 

• Write to a named person if you can
• If you have not been able to find a named contact, you could use ‘Dear Recruitment Manager’ or ‘Dear Recruiter’. 
• Check your spelling and get someone else to read it over.
• Check that it says clearly what you want it to say.  Are there any sections that are hard to read, overly long sentences? If yes, try to simplify the language, avoid jargon, use shorter sentences or take out that section completely.
• Make the letter different each time. If you insert another company name, does the letter still read the same? If so, tailor it more specifically to the firm - you may need to do further research
• Don’t start every sentence with “I”.
• Give evidence for all your claims.
• Be enthusiastic and interested.
• Don’t repeat your whole CV.
• It’s normal to find cover letters tricky to write. Give yourself plenty of time before the application deadline to redraft.
• A careers adviser at the Careers Service can give you feedback on the content and structure of your cover letter and CV, and advise you on how best to target particular sectors – write one first, book an appointment on CareerConnect  and ask a careers adviser for feedback.

Academic Cover Letters and Statements

Academic cover letters.

Academic cover letters vary in length, purpose, content and tone. Each job application requires a new, distinct letter.

For applications that require additional research or teaching statements, there is no point repeating these points in a cover letter – here, one page is enough (brief personal introduction, delighted to apply, please find enclosed X, Y, Z documents).

Other applications ask for a CV and a cover letter only, in which case the letter will need to be longer and require more detail. Others ask explicitly for this detail in the form of a supporting statement that sets out how you fulfil the job criteria. Aim for a maximum length of two pages, though for roles at associate professor level and above it may extend to 3-5 pages. In all cases it is important to use the space effectively and show that you can prioritise according to what they are looking for.

In all cases:

• Your letter is a piece of academic writing – you need a strong argument and empirical evidence
• Write for the non-expert to prove that you can communicate well
• Make sure you sound confident by using a tone that is collegial (rather than like a junior talking to a senior)
• Demonstrate your insight into what the recruiting department is doing in areas of research and teaching, and say what you would bring to these areas from your work so far.
• Give quantifiable evidence of teaching, research and funding success where possible.

Teaching Statements

What is a teaching statement and why do you need one.

When making an academic job application, you may be asked for a teaching statement (sometimes referred to as a ‘philosophy of teaching statement’). These statements may also be requested of candidates for grant applications or teaching awards.

A teaching statement is a narrative that describes:

• How you teach
• Why you teach the way you do
• How you know if you are an effective teacher, and how you know that your students are learning.

The rationale behind a teaching statement is to:

• Demonstrate that you have been reflective and purposeful about your teaching. This means showing an understanding of the teaching process and your experience of this
• Communicate your goals as an instructor, and your corresponding actions in the laboratory, classroom, or other teaching setting.

Format and style of a Teaching Statement

There is no required content or format for a teaching statement because they are personal in nature, but they are generally 1-2 pages, and written in the first person. The statement will include teaching strategies and methods to help readers ‘see’ you in a lab, lecture hall, or other teaching setting. The teaching statement is, in essence, a writing sample, and should be written with the audience in mind (i.e. the search committee for the institution(s) to which you are applying). This means that, like a cover letter, your teaching statement should be tailored for presentation to different audiences.

Articulating your teaching philosophy

Consider your experiences as both teacher and learner, and always keep your subject at the forefront. Consider all opportunities that you have previously had to teach, mentor, or guide, and determine instances that were both successful and perhaps not so successful. Understanding why and how learning happens is an important part of your teaching philosophy.

Here are some general areas to focus on in your teaching statement:

Goals : Convey your teaching goals. What would you like students to get out of your courses? What matters most to you in teaching and why?

Strategies : List effective teaching strategies. How will you realise your goals? What obstacles exist to student learning and how do you help students overcome them?

Evidence : Specific examples of your teaching experience are powerful in a teaching statement. Provide evidence that your students have learned (or not) in the past.

Research Statements

Some applications ask for a short research statement. This is your opportunity to showcase your vision for your research, propose a research plan and show how this builds on your current expertise and achievements. It forms the basis for discussions and your presentation if you are invited for interview.

Remember to:

• Provide a big picture overview of your research vision
• Make sure there are clear links between your proposal and the work of the recruiting institution.  Each statement must be tailored to the particular role you are applying for
• Write about your research experience stating the aims, achievements, relevant techniques and your responsibilities for each project
• Write as much (within the word limit) about your planned research and its contribution to the department, and to society more broadly
• Invest time and ask for feedback from your supervisor/principal investigator or colleagues.

Tips for Junior Research Fellowship or JRF Applications

Read the job description carefully to understand what is prioritised by the recruiting College or institution(s) beyond furthering your research.  If there are additional responsibilities such as outreach, mentoring, expanding or fostering academic networks, you will need to provide evidence of your interest and experience in these areas, as well as statements about how you would fulfil these roles when in post.

Try to meet current junior research fellowship (JRF) holders to gain further insight into what the role entails on a daily basis and what is expected by senior colleagues.

Show how your research contributes to, extends and/or maximises the impact of other work going on in the university. Then state why the JRF would enable you to further these in specific ways.

Think about how to demonstrate your experience in the following areas:

• Your research vision.  Can you outline a big picture view of the research you want to do and its impact, for the department, the field and the wider society
• Publications, think broadly here and include journal articles, book chapters, policy papers, expert reviews, public commentaries and any other type of media coverage
• Funding, give prominence to any funding awards and to your grant-writing experience
• Participation in professional activities such as establishing collaborations with people or organisations outside the university, reviewing journal articles and membership of relevant societies
• Outline how you intend to participate in knowledge exchange and public engagement within your fellowship. These activities are now recognised as significant components of academic life

Look at  Vitae’s Research Developer Framework  to identify any other academic-related competencies that you could demonstrate in your application (particularly project-management, leadership, developing innovative partnerships/strategic thinking).

Have your application reviewed by a careers adviser by booking a short discussion appointment on CareerConnect . 

Our Resources

Example cover letters.

• Sample cover letter
• Sample cover letter for management consultancy
• Sample cover letter for voluntary organisation
• Sample speculative cover letter   (see speculative applications)
• Sample cover letter for first lectureship, Arts and Humanities
• Vitae  for examples and advice relating to academic cover letters

Related pages

• Demonstrate You Fit the Job Criteria
• Application Forms

External Resources

External websites with guidance and examples.

• TARGETjobs: Cover letter essentials
• Prospects: Cover Letters

Artificial Intelligence (AI) generators and other paid-for services

A growing number of websites offer AI-generated cover letters, either for free or for a fee. There are also numerous organisations offering to write your cover letters for a fee. We believe that if you follow the advice above and come for a (free) cover letter review at the Careers Service as part of a 20-minute 1:1 appointment, you will get the best service for you. 

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BSc Mathematics and Economics

Introduction, preliminary readings.

Mathematics and economics are inextricably linked in modern society. This BSc Mathematics and Economics allows you to study both topics in depth – dedicating roughly the same amount of time to each subject.

The programme is carefully structured to focus on mathematical and statistical topics that are highly relevant to economics and finance. You’ll dive into key mathematical methods, such as algebra and calculus, and statistical theory. In parallel, you’ll study how these principles are applied in macroeconomics, microeconomics and mathematical economics.

This degree is taught jointly with our world-class Department of Economics. There is a strong focus on building your quantitative knowledge – increasingly important for a successful career in finance, accounting and other sectors.

This degree will be of interest to all mathematically or scientifically minded students, regardless of whether you’ve studied economics previously.

Mathematics as it is applied in economics and finance

• M Anthony and N Biggs Mathematics for Economics and Finance (Cambridge University Press, 1996)
• L Alcock How to Study for a Mathematics Degree (Oxford University Press, 2013)
• T Harford The Undercover Economist (Oxford University Press, 2006)

Mathematics

Much of university level mathematics is concerned with formal proofs and rigorous mathematical argument, and this is necessary for some of the advanced mathematics required in finance, economics, and other fields of application. For an introduction, we recommend:

• R Allenby Numbers and Proofs (Butterworth-Heinemann, 1997)
• P Eccles An Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning (Cambridge University Press, 1997)
• T Gowers Mathematics: a very short introduction (Oxford University Press, 2002)
• M Liebeck A Concise Introduction to Pure Mathematics (Chapman & Hall/CRC Mathematics, 2005)

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.

Additional tests

For GCSEs, you’ll need several GCSE grades at A (or 7) and A* (or 8-9).

As a minimum, we ask for GCSE English Language and Mathematics grades at B (6) or higher. We’ll also consider your overall GCSE subject profile.

A*AA, with an A* in Mathematics

Where it's offered by your school or college, AS- or A-level Further Mathematics is expected to be taken and a grade A achieved.

We also consider your AS grades, if available.

Contextual admissions A-level grades

A*AB with an A* in Mathematics

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.
• An A* in Mathematics is required. However, an A* in Further Mathematics and an A grade in Mathematics would be an acceptable alternative.
• We’ll consider a combination of Mathematics, Further Mathematics and one other subject. Other typical subjects include Chemistry and Physics. You don’t need to have studied Economics previously.

Find out more about A-level subject combinations .

38 points overall, including 766 in higher level subjects, with 7 in Mathematics: analysis and approaches.

Contextual admissions IB grades

37 points overall, including 765 in higher level subjects, with 7 in Mathematics: analysis and approaches.

Applicants are encouraged to take the  Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA) . The test is not compulsory, however a good performance on the test may help in securing an offer.

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.

Programme content

Why study with us.

Discover more about our students and department.

Student stories

Meet the department.

The Department of Mathematics aims to be a leading centre for the study of mathematics in the social sciences.

The department has a vibrant intellectual community, with fantastic students, internationally respected academics and high-achieving alumni. Our department has grown rapidly in recent years, with exciting developments in research and new teaching programmes and courses.

This research encompasses four main overlapping areas:

• discrete mathematics and algorithms
• mathematical game theory
• financial and related mathematics
• operational research.

All aspects of our research were ranked world-leading or internationally excellent in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (2021), submitted jointly with the Department of Statistics.

We embrace the School’s ethos of research-led teaching. Currently, we offer four undergraduate and three postgraduate programmes, as well as doctoral research opportunities on our MPhil/PhD in Mathematics. These programmes are all in high demand – attracting talented students from diverse backgrounds.

Our programmes are highly interdisciplinary and we have close ties with other departments at LSE, including Statistics, Economics, Finance, Management and the Data Science Institute.

Whatever your study route, you’ll benefit from a welcoming, inclusive and friendly learning environment where students and staff are supported to achieve their best.

Learn more about our programmes , recent research and regular events and seminars .

Department of Mathematics

2nd In Europe

5th In the world

1st We're ranked top university in London for the 12th year running

Carbon neutral in 2021 lse became the first carbon neutral verified university in the uk, your application, who attends.

We consider each application carefully, taking into account all the details you’ve included on your UCAS form, such as:

• academic achievement , including predicted and achieved grades (also see specific information about this programme in the "entry requirements" above)
• subjects and subject combinations  (also see specific information about this programme in the "entry requirements" above)
• your personal statement
• your teacher’s reference
• educational circumstances

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency, although this is not needed at the application stage.  See our English language requirements page .

We’re looking for students who demonstrate:

• an equal interest in mathematics and economic
• an understanding of the links between the two disciplines
• involvement in related extra-curricular activities, such as maths competitions or Olympiads
• the ability to think and work independently
• intellectual curiosity and the ability to ask incisive questions
• logical thinking and the ability to follow complex lines of reasoning
• creativity and flexibility in problem-solving
• great organisational and communication skills
• self-motivation and a willingness to work hard.

Fees and funding

The table of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes.

You're charged a fee for each year of your programme. Your tuition fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It doesn't cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

Your tuition fees, and eligibility for any financial support, depend on whether you’re classified as a home or an overseas student – known as your fee status. We assess your fee status based on guidelines from the UK Government’s Department for Education.

Learn more about fee status classification .

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We recognise that the cost of living in London may be higher than in your home town or country. LSE provides generous financial support, in the form of bursaries and scholarships, to UK, EU and overseas students.

Additionally, the UK Government provides loans to UK and some EU students. Some overseas governments also offer funding.

Further information on tuition fees, living costs, loans and scholarships .

Learning and assessment

How you learn, how you're assessed.

Format and contact hours: you’ll usually attend two lectures and one related class for each course per week (eight lectures and four classes). Additionally, you’ll work on exercises in your own time, which are discussed in weekly classes with around 15 students. Hours vary depending on the course. Further details are given in the Calendar within the Teaching section of each course guide .

LSE teaching: all courses include seminars, classes and/or computer workshops to help you develop a deeper understanding of concepts and methods introduced in lectures. In computer workshops, you’ll work on practical data exercises using software and programming languages (mainly Python). Classes and workshops provide a great opportunity to ask questions about the lecture material and other related topics.

LSE is internationally recognised for teaching and research and our academics have wide-ranging expertise. Courses may be taught by our faculty staff, guest teachers and visiting members of staff, LSE teaching fellows and graduate teaching assistants, who may be doctoral research students.

Learn about the teacher responsible for each course in the relevant  course guide .

Academic support

Academic mentor: you’ll meet with your academic mentor regularly to discuss your work. Your mentor can provide advice and guidance on academic issues and, where appropriate, personal concerns.

Other academic support: at LSE, we offer lots of opportunities to extend your learning outside the classroom.

LSE LIFE is a great place to get advice and practise the skills you’ll need during your studies and beyond.

Through LSE LIFE, you can:

• attend workshops on developing leadership skills, finding the right study/work/life balance and preparing for the world of work
• develop your reading, academic writing and critical-thinking skills
• gain experience of working in study groups and develop your cross-cultural communication and teamwork skills.

Disability and Mental Health Service: we want all LSE students to achieve their full potential. Students can access free, confidential advice through our Disability and Mental Health Service . This is the first point of contact for students.

Your timetable

• The standard teaching day runs from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Undergraduate teaching is not normally scheduled for Wednesdays after 12 noon to allow for sports, volunteering and other extra-curricular activities.
• The lecture and seminar timetable is published in mid-August and the full academic timetable (with information on classes) is published by mid-September via the LSE timetables web pages .
• All personal undergraduate timetables are published in LSE for You (LFY) . For personal timetables to appear, you must be registered at LSE, be signed up for courses in LFY and ensured that there are no unauthorised clashes in your course selections. We try our best to minimise changes once personal timetables have been published. However, you’ll be notified about any changes by email.

Formative coursework

All taught courses include formative coursework, which is not assessed. This helps prepare you for summative assessment. We use a range of formative assessment methods, such as essays, case studies, reports, quizzes and mock exams.

Feedback is an essential part of the learning experience at the School. You’ll receive feedback on any formative coursework within three weeks, provided it’s submitted on time.

Summative assessment

This assessment counts towards your final course mark and degree award.

Summative assessment includes exams for most courses at the end of each year (May or early June). Some courses also include assessments in January.

You’ll receive feedback on any summative coursework as part of the assessment for individual courses (except for final submitted dissertations). Feedback will normally be provided before the examination period.

Please note that assessment on individual courses can change from year to year. See details of the current formative coursework and summative assessment for each course in the relevant  course guide .

Find out more about LSE’s teaching and assessment methods .

Graduate destinations

Career support.

Recent graduates have gone on to work in the areas of corporate finance, accountancy, management, and banking. Many have pursued graduate study in areas related to mathematics, economics, or both.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Explore our Alumni Stories

Median salary of our undergraduate students 15 months after graduating:

Top 3 sectors our students work in:.

From CV workshops through to careers fairs, LSE offers lots of information and support to help you make that all-important step from education into work.

Many of the UK’s top employers give careers presentations at the School during the year and there are numerous workshops covering topics such as job hunting, managing interviews, writing a cover letter and using LinkedIn.

See LSE Careers for further details.

Discover Uni

Every undergraduate programme of more than one year duration will have Discover Uni data. The data allows you to compare information about individual programmes at different higher education institutions.

Programmes offered by different institutions with similar names can vary quite significantly. We recommend researching the programmes you're interested in and taking into account the programme structure, teaching and assessment methods, and support services available.

Find out more

Explore lse, student life.

Student support

Accommodation

Meet, visit and discover LSE

Deliver exceptional career support

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• Careers and Employability Service
• Application forms

Cover letters

Personal statements.

A cover letter will often accompany your CV when you are applying for a work or study opportunity. So even if you spend lots of time perfecting your CV, your application can still be affected by the quality of your cover letter. It is therefore important that you take time to create a well-structured cover letter targeted to each and every opportunity you apply for. View some examples of cover letters on the Target Jobs website .

The purpose

• To encourage an employer to read the accompanying CV or application form
• To draw together relevant facts from your CV or application form and shape them to the needs of the employer; demonstrating your ability to do the job/course
• If speculative: to explain why you are sending your CV

If you are asked to send a ‘letter of application’, you might treat this as an extended cover letter. The tips provided in these pages will also help you to construct this type of letter.

Preparation

• Research the company or organisation using resources such as the company or organisation's website, recent news articles or their social media.
• Thoroughly research the role/course you are applying for including the main duties and responsibilities of the opportunity are or what modules and projects are available throughout the course
• Identify aspects of the role or course that are most important to you
• The length of a cover letter should be about one side of A4, using a font of no smaller than 11. Using a matching font and style to your CV gives your application a coherent and professional look. If the employer is asking for a lot of information and you can’t fit it onto one side, don’t reduce the font size any smaller – it’s better to go over two sides in a readable font than squeeze your information onto one side
• Occasionally you may be asked for a handwritten cover letter. As handwriting generally is larger than typed text, it is usually OK to go onto two pages

A top tip we can offer is to tailor your cover letter for each application. You can adapt information you cut and paste from previous applications, however be very careful that it is appropriate to the job you are applying for.

When planning, consider the following points:

• What are your key strengths in relation to the opportunity?
• What has motivated you to pursue this opportunity?
• You may need to illustrate how your skills satisfy the requirements (e.g. Leadership, Team work, Communication) so think of some examples of where you will have demonstrated these (such as work experience, university experiences, volunteering, Leicester Award, Internships, interests, hobbies)
• What differentiates this job and company to you from their competitors?

Writing your first draft

Make sure that your cover letter/statement has a clear structure, so that the employer can easily recognise what you are addressing. We suggest using a structure similar to this:

I.C.M.E Structure

I – Introduction: A brief opening to introduce yourself and outlining the position or opportunity you are applying for and where you saw it advertised.

C – Capability: One to two paragraphs that explains why you are suitable for the role. You should refer to the job/course description and demonstrate how you meet the requirements for the opportunity.

M – Motivation: One to two paragraphs that detail why you are interested in the company/institution and the position/study. Make sure you are specific and demonstrate that you have done your research.

E – Ending: A couple of lines that thank the reader for his/her time and state that you are looking forward to hearing from them. Refer back to the specific course or job requirements.

Use subheadings and bullet points to highlight key information and help your cover letter stand out by using direct, positive and appropriate language.

TOP TIP: Expressing things more positively can make the difference between a successful and an unsuccessful application. Below are a few examples:

• “I am a good communicator” rather than “I feel that I am a good communicator”
• “I have excellent communication skills” rather than “Some people have told me I am good at communicating”
• “During this experience I successfully managed seven people” rather than “During this experience I had to manage seven people”

Proof-reading and amending

After all the time and effort you have spent developing your cover letter, it would be a shame to send it before you have proof-read and thoroughly checked it through. To make absolutely sure, get someone else to read it – the best of writers miss mistakes in their own work due to familiarity with the text.

Using MyCareers

How to access MyCareers as a graduate.

Learn more about Linkedin and how you can write a great profile.