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LSE Explore: Year 12

LSE Explore is a series of online academic taster events for Year 12 students which offer an insight into selected undergraduate degree subjects at LSE.

The 2025 LSE Explore series will take place in May 2025. Applications for Explore will open in March 2025.

This year’s series will include subject taster events featuring our academics and current LSE students and an information session from our admissions team.

The subject taster sessions will be confirmed before applications open in March.

LSE Explore will allow participants to find out more about studying these subjects at LSE and consolidate their understanding of the higher education application process and the specifics of making an application to LSE. Attendees will also hear from current LSE undergraduates with the chance to have their questions answered and they will learn about the graduate prospects of the respective subjects.

When and where do the events take place?

LSE Explore is a virtual event series delivered via Zoom.

The subject taster events taking place will be confirmed before applications open in March. The events will take place in mid-May.

Applicants can apply to attend one event or multiple events depending upon their interests.

What activities are included?

The events will include:

  • a subject-specific introduction
  • a taster lecture from an LSE academic
  • UCAS- and LSE-specific admissions information.

Are there any costs involved?

LSE Explore events are free to attend.

Who is eligible?

LSE Explore is open to selected Year 12 (or equivalent) students.

Priority Criteria

Applicants should:

  • Be currently in Year 12 (England and Wales), Year 13 (N. Ireland) or S5 (Scotland)
  • Have always attended a UK state-funded, non-fee-paying school/college/sixth form
  • Be considering making an application to undergraduate study at LSE
  • Be on track to attain the contextual entry requirements for their course of interest at LSE. The contextual offer grades for the degree programmes are listed alongside the standard offer A-level and IB entry requirements on the relevant programme pages
  • Be available for the duration of the event.

Additional criteria

We would also particularly encourage applications from students who belong to one (or more) of our other widening participation target groups, namely:

  • Those living in postcode areas of historic low progression to higher education. This is determined by home postcode, which must be in POLAR4 quintile 1 or 2.
    Check your postcode (selecting MSOA) to see if you have ‘Quintile 1’ or ‘Quintile 2’ next to POLAR4 in the table. More information about POLAR.
  • Those living in postcode areas of historic deprivation as defined by the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), which must be in IMD quintile 1 or 2 (deciles 1-4) or regional equivalent*. 
    Check your postcode in EnglandNorthern IrelandScotland or Wales.
  • Those who identify as having a disability or specific learning difficulty**
  • Those who identify as care-experienced (i.e. those who have been in the care of the local authority)
  • Those who identify as Black British African, Black British Caribbean or those of mixed Black British heritage
  • Those who identify as British Pakistani
  • Those who identify as British Bangladeshi.

More information about how LSE uses widening participation data during the admissions process can be found under the contextual admissions section of this admissions information page.

* Ranks 1-356 in Northern Ireland IMD
  Overall Decile 1 or 2 in Scotland
  Ranks 1-764 in Wales IMD

**Have a disability or specific learning difficulty as defined by UCAS:

  • You have a social/communication difference such as autism/Asperger's
  • You are blind or have a serious visual impairment uncorrected by glasses
  • You are deaf or have a serious hearing impairment
  • You have a long-standing illness or health condition such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, chronic heart disease, or epilepsy
  • You have a mental health condition, such as depression, schizophrenia or anxiety disorder
  • You have a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or AD(H)D
  • You have physical impairment or mobility issues, such as difficulty using your arms or using a wheelchair or crutches
  • You have a disability, impairment or medical condition that is not listed above.

In the circumstance that the events are oversubscribed, and places need to be allocated, applicants will be considered for places based on the extent to which they meet our widening participation criteria.

Those applicants who meet all the priority criteria and one or more of our additional criteria will be prioritised for places. 

How can I find out more and apply?

Applications for LSE Explore 2025 will open in March 2025.

The LSE Explore team will then shortlist applications and communicate selection decisions by the end of April 2025 via email.

The LSE Explore team will allocate event invitations based on applicants' eligibility and event demand.

Applicants will be considered for places based on the extent to which they meet our widening participation criteria. Those applicants who meet all the priority criteria and one or more of our additional criteria will be prioritised for places.

Contact

If you have any questions, please email Ard.Explore@lse.ac.uk and the LSE Explore team will reply as soon as possible.

What training do LSE staff receive?

All staff and students involved in the sessions receive appropriate training before the event. Staff or students working directly and regularly with young people receive specific training on working with children, in line with our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy. They also undergo an appropriate level Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Cancellation Policy

Please note that as a result of circumstances or events outside of our control (known as a Force Majeure event), which includes but is not limited to industrial action, official government advice, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises, we may need to cancel an event at short notice.

In the event of a cancellation, a change of venue or date, we will endeavour to notify attendees wherever possible through the contact details given at the time of booking. For the avoidance of doubt, the School will not be liable for any costs you may incur as a result of any cancellation, change of venue or date.