Tuition fees
See the Table of fees| for the tuition fee for all students on the General Course in 2013-14. Tuition fees are usually paid in three equal instalments at the start of each term. Please note that the tuition fee is the same for all General Course students, regardless of nationality or residence.
The fee covers tuition, examination entry, library use, access to all LSE social, health and welfare facilities and Students' Union membership. It does not cover accommodation or living costs which must be budgeted separately.
Fee payments
In the spring/summer of the year you are due to start the General Course you will receive an initial invoice for your tuition. If you are responsible for paying your own General Course fees you can do so in full before, or at the start of, the new academic year, or in three equal instalments at the beginning of each term if you prefer. However, if you have notified the School that your home institution or a sponsor is paying your tuition fees they will receive an invoice and you need not do anything. Please note that payments for LSE accommodation are dealt with separately and should be made, by yourself, directly to your hall of residence at the start of each term.
General Course students with questions relating to the payment of their tuition fees are advised to contact the relevant staff at their home institution in the first instance, rather than the Fees Office at LSE.
Living costs
The following figures are intended only as an approximate guide; how much you spend is ultimately your own decision. London can be as expensive as your personal tastes dictate - some students are able to live on less, some need more. The important thing is that you satisfy yourself, and the relevant authorities, that you have sufficient funds to cover your entire period of study.
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Accommodation
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£4,800 (£120 pw)
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Food
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£2,400 (£60 pw)
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Travel
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£800 (£20 pw)
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Books
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£400 (£10 pw)
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Personal
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£1,600 (£40 pw)
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Total
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£10,000 for 40 Weeks (£250 pw)
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* Please note that the tuition fee can be paid in either one lump-sum at the start of the academic year or in three equal monthly instalments at the start of each term.
Student discounts
There are many cost-saving advantages to being a student in London. A selection of these are outlined and listed below.
18+ Student Oyster Photocard
Save 30% off adult travel cards & Bus Tram passes valid for seven days, one month or longer periods up to a year. For further details visit http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14312.aspx|
Second-hand Course Books
Alpha Books based on campus, offers a range of books that are discounted from their publisher's listed prices, as well as a healthy stock of second hand titles. Similarly, Waterstone's Economists' Bookshop situated opposite the Student Services Centre offers a second-hand buy-back scheme for course collection books. Enquiries can be made via the webpage http://www2.lse.ac.uk/intranet/LSEServices/LSEFacilitiesGuide/shopping.aspx|
Discount Voucher Sites
Numerous websites offer daily discounts specifically targeted at students that offer deals such as 2 for 1 meals, reduced accommodation, and sale items. Check out http://www.studentbeans.com|, http://www.studentdiscounts.co.uk| and http://www.myvouchercodes.com/student-discounts| for examples of the latest deals.
Subsidised Social Calendar
As a student enrolled in the General Course, you will have access to a wide range of trips and events around the UK and Europe, arranged in collaboration with a company called Proscenium. Past excursions have included destinations such as Paris, Amsterdam, Bruges as well as the Scottish Highlands. There are also London tour groups and theatre nights throughout the year. General Course students save up to 50% on subsidised discounts in these packages which are tremendously popular every year.
London discounts
Londoners enjoy a vast array of deals and discounts on the very best of culture, cuisine and shopping the city has to offer. Many of these are available through 'daily deal' websites. Visit http://www.londondailydeals.co.uk|, http://www.livingsocial.com/united_kingdom/cities/58-central-london|, http://www.wowcher.co.uk| for just a few examples of what's available.
Free events and exhibitions
Thousands of events and exhibitions take place in London every year and a great number of them are free to the public. There are also many prestigious galleries and museums with featured collections, again free of a general admission charge. These include The National Gallery, The British Museum, The Natural History Museum, The Victoria and Albert Museum and the Tate Modern, to name a few. London is also famous for its Royal Parks which are hugely popular in the summer. There are 8 in total which include Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, St. James Park and The Regent's Park. For information about upcoming events and all of the above visit http://www.visitlondon.com|
Paid work
The student visa you obtain to gain entry to the UK will enable you to undertake paid work, both on and off campus, up to a total of 20 hours per week in term time, and full-time hours once their final term has finished and until their Visa expires. Many General Course students take advantage of this in order to increase their living/social/travel expenditure. Information for working during your studies can be found at http://www2.lse.ac.uk/lifeAtLSE/CareersEmployability/WorkingUKDuringStudiesProspective.aspx|
The Careers team also work with General Course students in offering advice with regards to internship opportunities in London. In 2011/12 seminars were held specifically for General Course students on this topic. For further details about internships through LSE careers visit http://www2.lse.ac.uk/lifeAtLSE/CareersEmployability/JobsInternshipsVolunteering.aspx|
There are also career and job websites students can use as helpful tools in this endeavour. Popular websites include Employment for Students|, Target jobs| and Prospects|.