Welcome to LSE! You're here, you made it! So now what? The information below and links on the left are here to help you get settled.
What to do and where to go
The quickest way to find your feet is to visit the New arrivals checklist|. (Look for the 2012 version of the checklist in July) This list offers lots of tips on the types of things you can and should be doing in your first weeks to help smoothly transition into life as an LSE student. Highly recommended!
Orientation
Although Orientation Week 2012 is the first week of October, there are events going on before and after Orientation Week too. The Orientation |section will give you an idea about what to expect and the Orientation events timetable| will tell you when and where things are happening. Some events will be compulsory, while others will be optional based on your interests. Customise your Orientation experience by learning more about what is on offer and planning accordingly. The Students' Union calendar| also lists Orientation events and includes filters for each department to help you find the right events for you.
Arriving before or after Orientation week? Visit the Early and Late Arrivals links on the left for tips on how to get settled.
Student Channel
The Student Channel| is the place to go for information about being a student at LSE You should definitely take some time to check it out. Here are a few examples of what you can find in each section.
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Campus and London Life: Facilities, student ID cards, how to get a mobile phone, culture shock, things to do in London, transport in and out of London. For those new to the UK, also details about electricity supply, English law, clothing and weather and driving in Great Britain.
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Money matters: Answers to questions about managing your money, such as how to set up a bank account, how to pay fees, what to do if you get a bill for Council Tax, insurance for your belongings, loans, student travel discounts, and much more.
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Visas and immigration: Advice on immigration options and support while studying at LSE.
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Registration, timestables and assessment: Crucial details on Programme and Course Registration, timetables, how to get proof that you are a student, regulations and codes of practice, and course guides.
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Academic support services: Details about who to turn to for assistance with or questions about your studies. Includes the Library, IT Services, Teaching and Learning Centre, Language Centre, and more.
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Student support services: Pastoral services and services that can assist with practical matters such as health and safety, accommodation, careers and employability, and equality and diversity. Includes the Student Services Centre and the Chaplaincy.
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Information for current hall residents: Easy access to services at your LSE residence.
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Research students: Links to the Research Degrees Unit, which offers advice and guidance to MPhil/PhD and visiting research students, including regulations, policies and code of practice, examinations, fees and financial support, and help with your studies.
Fees and financial support
Fees and financial support queries are handled by two different offices at LSE. For information about when and how to pay fees, visit the Fees Office| pages. For questions regarding issues related to financial support, such as scholarships, studentships, prizes and awards, visit the Financial Support Office| pages. Although Fees and Financial Support do not have offices that you can drop in and visit, they do hold regular drop-in sessions| at the Student Services Centre Counter for those who need to speak in depth to someone about their circumstances. These hours are extended during the Orientation period.
We are here for you
Settling into your new academic life can be a life changing event. There are many places to go if you encounter any difficulties or need advice. Keep an eye out for the New arrivals help points| which will be set up around LSE campus. They are there to help direct you, answer questions and will offer campus tours (see the link for dates, times and location) during your first few days.
The LSE support services video| offers an excellent introduction to the services available to LSE students.
If you have any questions that can not be answered in these pages, feel free to contact our Advice Team at the Student Services Centre|, located in the Ground Floor of the Old Building. We may not be able to answer all your questions, but we will do our best to put you in touch with someone who can help.