LSE Summer School FAQs

What kind of people apply to the LSE Summer School?

Summer School is a truly international programme, regularly attracting a diverse range of people from over 100 countries. The majority of participants are currently studying at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, alongside a number of professionals from a range of business sectors. In the past we have had former cabinet members, judges and employees of world banks. We have even had a Brazilian footballer enrol on the programme!

I have a disability, how do I let you know about this?

LSE is committed to operating a system of equal opportunity, and will endeavour to make all reasonable adjustments to enable students to undertake the programme. Applicants are able to indicate the nature of their disability when completing the online application form, though we encourage students to contact the Office to discuss their needs prior to submitting their application.

I am under 18 years of age. Can I apply?

There is no minimum age requirement for the Summer School. However, in order to apply students must at least have an offer of a place at university. If you do not hold an offer you will not be eligible to apply. If you are a UK student, you may however be interested in LSE's Widening Participation programmes.

I am thinking about applying with my friend, will we be in the same class?

Students studying on the same course will attend both lectures and seminar classes. Class and lecture groups are assigned at random and students are not able to change their groups. Therefore, it may not be possible for students to attend classes with other students of their choice. 

I would like to work at the same time as studying. Is this possible?

We strongly advise against working while studying at the Summer School. Due to the intensive nature of the courses students will need to be on campus for most of the day and will have a significant amount of daily reading to be completed.

Can I take more than one course per session?

No, as courses are intensive and full-time it is only possible to attend one course per session. If you wish to attend more than one session, it is possible to take one course in each session.

Do you run LSE Summer School courses at other times of the year?

No, unfortunately these programmes only run in June, July and August.

What is the application deadline?

We work on a first-come, first-served basis, which means that we have no fixed deadlines and you can apply for any course up until the point it is filled. We receive applications on a daily basis, therefore in order to avoid disappointment we suggest that students apply as early as possible.

Please also note that accommodation spaces are limited and may fill up before this date so you are advised to apply as soon as possible if you wish to stay in LSE Halls.

What documents do I need to submit with my application? 

Applicants will need to submit evidence that they meet the course prerequisites by providing their university transcript (marksheet), or a university offer letter if you are applying for a 100 level course, and have not yet started studying at university.

Please note that you will need to provide a copy of your university transcript if you have undertaken any university study. It is important that the transcript includes your full name. If this document is not in English, please provide a brief translation. Where necessary you will also need to submit evidence of English language proficiency.

Is there an application fee?

There is a non-refundable fee of £50 payable when you submit the application form. This can be paid with a debit/credit card. If you are having problems paying or do not have a card to pay with, we would advise you to ask a family member or friend to pay on your behalf.

I requested to defer my place from Summer School 2020 and/or 2021. Do I need to pay the application fee again? 

If you were unable to attend Summer School in 2020 or 2021, and have previously requested for your application to be deferred to Summer School 2022, you will not need to pay the application fee again. Please contact the Summer School Office for information on how to submit your application using the deferral code. 

What is the difference between 100, 200 and 300 level courses? 

100 level courses have no specific prerequisites in their own subject, but may require some mathematics (please see individual course pages for more information). The minimum requirement for taking these courses is to have an offer of a place at university, but additional evidence of academic ability may also be required.

200 level courses are equivalent to intermediate level university courses. They have prerequisites in the form of university level introductory courses in the same or closely related subject. 

300 level courses are advanced and equivalent to either final year undergraduate or first year graduate courses. They have prerequisites of university level intermediate courses. 

The course I want to take has Introductory Microeconomics as a prerequisite, I have taken this course as AP (Advanced Placement). Can I still apply?

Where the term 'Introductory' is used, we require a course that is of similar level to 1st year undergraduate study at LSE. AP does not meet this requirement.

I am taking/have taken a prerequisite course, but will not receive my grades until later in the year. Can I still apply?

Yes, but any offer will be conditional on providing evidence of meeting the prerequisites before the start of the programme. Students will be asked to state the date on which they expect to receive grades.

Can I use LSE Summer School courses as prerequisites?

Yes, it is quite common for students to take a prerequisite course in one session in order to progress to a higher level course in the next session. For example, EC101: Introductory Microeconomics can be used as a prerequisite for EC270: Public Finance. 

I do not meet the prerequisites for a course but I do have relevant professional experience. Can I apply?

Courses at LSE, especially the higher level courses, tend to be heavily theoretical. We believe that there is no substitute for academic experience, and therefore in nearly all cases we are unable to accept applications that do not meet the prerequisites. Please get in touch with our office should you wish to discuss this further. 

My transcript is not in English, does this matter?

You will be asked to provide a brief translation. This does not need to be professionally translated. You will be able to submit both the original and translated document to us with your application form.

What are the English language requirements?

Students for whom English is not their first language must provide evidence of language proficiency. For further information about the language certificates we accept please refer to the Entry Requirements section of the website. Preparatory English courses are also available the week before each session begins.

I am not a native English speaker but my education was completely or partially in English. Do I still need to take a language test?

If you have undertaken any university courses (excluding language courses) that were fully taught and assessed in English, and can clearly demonstrate this, you will not need to provide a proficiency certificate. Students from countries where English is used extensively in education may apply as a native speaker. This includes students from India, Pakistan, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Singapore and Turkey. If you are from one of these areas, or anywhere else where English is used extensively in education, you do not need to fill in the language section. 

I am fluent in English, though it is not my first language. Do I need to take a language test?

Students who are fluent in English, but have not studied at university level in English will need to supply a proficiency certificate. However, those who have lived in an English-speaking country for a number of years may be treated as a native speaker. Please contact the Summer School office to confirm. You do not need to contact us if you are a student from India, Pakistan, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Singapore and Turkey. 

I am taking a TOEFL/IELTS/Cambridge test but I will not get the results until later in the year. Can I still apply?

Yes, but any offer will be conditional, subject to providing evidence of a language proficiency qualification certificate before the start of the programme.

How long will it take until I know if I've been accepted?

Applications that arrive complete and with the correct supporting evidence will usually be processed within 10 working days. If we require further information as part of your application we will email you. Incomplete applications will take longer to process as you will need to supply further information. 

How will I be notified about the outcome of my application?

We will notify you via email as soon as a decision has been reached. Please note, that in the interest of the environment, all of our communication is via email. Students will also be able to use their application tracker on LSE For You to keep updated on the status of their application.

Can I change my course?

In order to apply to change course, please complete our Course Change Form. Once we receive the completed form, your application will go to the relevant course director for assessment. Please note that by opting to change course you will forfeit your place on the course for which you originally applied.

When do I have to pay my tuition fees?

We are constantly making new offers for Summer School places, and positions are filled on a first-come first-served basis. 

Tuition fees should be paid within 30 days of receiving your offer email, as your place on the programme is only guaranteed once we have received full payment. After 30 days has passed, your offer for Summer School may be withdrawn.

If you choose to withdraw from the programme we will refund 90% of your tuition fees, save for a fifty pounds (£50) application fee, provided you notify us at least thirty (30) days before the start date of your course.

Is it possible to pay in instalments?

If you are unable to pay the full amount in one credit/debit card transaction, it is possible to pay in instalments. Your place will only be secured once payment has been received in full. On the online payment page, simply enter the amount you wish to pay in the ‘to pay now’ box. This can be done as many times as necessary until the fees are paid in full. Before commencing, please inform your credit card company that you are intending to make a series of smaller payments, otherwise your card may be blocked due to a suspected fraud alert.

Can I pay by credit or debit card?

Yes, this is our recommended method of payment. Please note that we do not accept American Express, but all other major credit and debit cards are accepted.

What should I do if my credit card is rejected?

The LSE Finance Division will contact students directly where there is a problem with a credit card payment. Students will then need to contact their credit card issuer to resolve the problem. Usually payments are rejected because of security measures put in place to protect from fraud - international payments are more likely to be rejected on these grounds. It may be necessary to arrange with your card issuer to make a specific payment overseas.

The following checklist may be of some help:

• Check that your card is authorised to make international payments

• Check you have sufficient funds/credit limit available

• Check your bank's daily limit for your debit/credit card covers the amount you are paying online

When making a large payment, always notify your card issuer in advance how much you will be paying, who will be paying and when the payment will be made; this reduces the risk of the payment being rejected for card security reasons.

Will I get a refund if I withdraw from the programme?

Students wishing to withdraw from the programme will have their tuition fees refunded as below. The application fee is non-refundable. Please note that refunds requested after 1 June will not be processed until after the programme:

All refunds are made in UK Sterling. LSE cannot refund any shortfalls due to exchange rate fluctuations, or offer compensation for any bank or other charges incurred.

For further information please refer to the Fees and Payments section of the website.

What if I have booked LSE accommodation, will I receive a refund?

Refunds for accommodation are separate from the tuition fees refunds. 100% refunds are available for accommodation cancellations made at least 21 days in advance.

Contact the Accommodation office directly for more information residences.summerschool@lse.ac.uk.

Do I need a visa to study at the Summer School?

LSE has a specialist International Student Visa Advice Team, which can assist Summer School students in applying for visas.  If you have questions about visas please complete their online query form.

If you do need a visa to travel to Summer School, you should make sure that you apply for your Summer School place as soon as possible to ensure there is enough time for the visa process. 

What if my visa refused?

If your visa is refused we will refund you the following amounts:

If you receive a visa refusal you may wish to contact LSE's International Student Visa Advice Team (ISVAT) who can give you advice on how to proceed. Questions relating to the refund of Summer School tuition fees should be directed to the Summer School office. 

If my visa is refused can I get a refund on my accommodation fees?

The accommodation refunds are separate to tuition fee refunds. 100% refunds are available for accommodation cancellations made at least 21 days in advance. Contact the Accommodation office directly for more information residences.summerschool@lse.ac.uk.

Can I leave the country at weekends during Summer School?

Check with LSE's International Student Visa Advice Team (ISVAT) to see whether travel outside of the UK during the programme is allowed on your visa type. If you have a standard visitor visa and are a visa national, the visa vignette in your passport is likely to be multiple entry and therefore you can leave and re-enter the UK during your course while your visa is valid.

If you are a non-visa national and request to enter the UK as a standard visitor, the stamp you get in your passport is only for single-entry. Therefore if you leave and re-enter the UK during your programme, you will need to request to enter the UK as a standard visitor again at the border to ensure you have the correct immigration permission to study. You should carry documents confirming your place at Summer School in your hand luggage to show at the border. We would not advise that you request to enter the UK as a standard visitor after your Summer School session has ended, if you have no further study in the UK.

When should I apply for a Visa Letter?

You will need a visa letter from the Summer School office to apply for your visa (if you are a visa national) or to show at the UK border (if you are a non-visa national). You should request this from the Summer School office as soon as possible once you have paid your tuition fees (and accommodation fees if staying in LSE accommodation).

It is advisable to make tuition and accommodation (if staying in LSE halls) fee payments as early as possible not only to secure your place, but also to ensure that you can apply for and receive your visa in time for the start of the programme. It is now possible to apply for your visa using a PDF copy of your visa letter.

Who provides me with a Summer School Visa Letter? 

The Summer School office will provide you with a visa letter. Please note ISVAT (the International Student Visa Advice Team) do not issue visa letters. 

How do I request a Summer School visa letter? 

You can request a Summer School visa letter on your LSE For You account once you have received an offer of a place, paid your tuition fees in full and accommodation fees if staying in LSE accommodation. 

There are three options for receiving your Summer School visa letter: a PDF copy via email, courier or regular mail. Letters sent via courier are subject to an additional fee.You can also request a visa letter to be collected from the LSE Summer School Office by a friend or relative. If you would like to do this you will need to contact us directly to make arrangements.

Where can I stay?

We have a choice of residences you can stay at. They’re all really central and travel to LSE takes less than half an hour. There’s a choice of different room types including singles and shared rooms with shared or private en suite bathrooms.

Find answers to frequently asked questions about accommodation and, when you are ready, book accommodation in halls of residence. 

What other options are available to me?

If you don’t want to stay in LSE halls, you can look for private accommodation, but you’ll miss out on the social life and events in halls. Accommodation in London can be expensive and hard to find.

If you want to book a hotel, we recommend that you book early, as London is a major tourist destination, and rooms book up quickly. You may also want to consider using a short term accommodation provider.

In terms of value for money LSE accommodation is hard to beat. For full details, visit: Accommodation for LSE Summer School.

Who should I contact about accommodation?

Summer School Residences
Residential Services Office (RSO)
3.02 Saw Swee Hock Student Centre
Houghton Street, London, WC2A 2AE

Email: residences.summerschool@lse.ac.uk 

Phone: +44 (0)20 3437 0050

Office hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

The LSE Summer School office won’t be able to answer your accommodation questions. 

Can I use the LSE Careers Service?

Unfortunately Summer School students are not entitled to use all of the services offered by the LSE Careers Service. However, Summer School students may use their open-access website, which offers a huge range of advice and information including job-hunting websites along with lots of information about CVs  and employment sectors. There are also leaflets and booklets in the Careers Resource Centre on the 5th floor of the Saw Swee Hock Centre.

Will I have full access to the library and its facilities?

All LSE Summer School participants have full access to the library and its facilities. Students are encouraged to make full use of LSE facilities and will be given a library card once they register. Photocopying and computing facilities are also available for you to use.

Should I bring my own laptop?

All students will be required to bring their own laptop to Summer School. Once registered at LSE, students will be given instructions on how to set up IT accounts, including an LSE email address.

Can I use the gym?

Summer School students will have access to the gym facilities on campus, at a heavily reduced rate. More details on this can be found in your arrival information pack.

Are there eating and drinking facilities on campus?

LSE Catering offers a fantastic choice of food and drink at its restaurants, cafes and bars. More details on this can be found in your arrival information pack.

I am not happy with my course, am I allowed to change this once the programme has started?

Course changes can be approved only within the first two days of each session. You will need to contact the Summer School Office by phone or email to request a course change. If you are changing to a 200 or 300 level course, you must request a form to be submitted to the Summer School Academic Tutor to have your change approved. If you are changing to a 100 level course, please contact the Summer School Office at any time during opening hours. 

While you are allowed to change your course, you are not able to change your class groups.

When will the final exam take place?

Final exams take place on the last day of each session and participants cannot expect to be finished in time to meet flights on that day. There are no exceptions to taking the exams at the given time and date and this should be taken into account when booking return flights.

How will the final exams take place?

It is expected that in-person exams will resume in 2022, at least for some subject areas. The format of the Summer School assessment will be in line with those taken by our full-time undergraduate students.

Do I have to take the exams? Will I get a certificate if I don't?

No, exams are not compulsory. Students who attend at least 75% of classes (9 out of 12 classes) and do not sit the final exam will receive an Attendance Certificate. Students must note that an Attendance Certificate is not the same as a Pass/Fail grade and is unlikely to be able to be used for credit.

Am I allowed to sit the mid-session exam and not the final exam?

Yes, students can sit the mid-session exam to gauge how they are doing, and decide whether or not they wish to submit the final exam. Therefore you may sit the mid-session exam and still receive an Attendance Certificate, providing you have attended at least 75% of classes.

What happens if I am unwell or have mitigating circumstances on the day of the exam?

If you are likely to miss an exam for any reason, including illness, you should contact the Summer School Office as soon as possible for advice on +44 (0) 20 7955 7227.

If there are medical or mitigating circumstances, e.g. temporary illness, personal difficulties or bereavement, which you feel may have affected your exam performance and you want to bring to the attention of the examiner, you must submit a statement of mitigating circumstances to the Summer School Office, no later than three days after the exam. The late submission of evidence will only be accepted in very exceptional circumstances.

What is the difference between the Attendance Certificate and the Graded Certificate?

For students who choose not to be assessed in the final exam there is an option of an Attendance Certificate (providing that you have attended at least 75% of classes). The Attendance Certificate will state your name and your course, but will say ‘Attended’ rather than give a grade.

The Graded Certificate is for all students who submit a final exam and take the other course assessments. The document will state your name, your course and the grade you received (A+ - F scale).

Can I opt for the Attendance Certificate after I have taken the exam?

No. You must decide prior to submitting your final exam whether you want a Graded Certificate or an Attendance Certificate. Students are not able to choose after they have completed their exam.

Am I allowed both the Attendance Certificate and the Graded Certificate?

Students will only be awarded one certificate; either a Graded Certificate if they have submitted the final exam, or the Attendance Certificate if they choose not to sit the final exam.

Will I get a qualification for taking a Summer School course?

Students completing a Summer School course will receive a certificate from LSE. However, there is no externally recognised qualification (e.g. ACCA, CIPFA) for taking a Summer School course. Most students who attend other universities are able to receive credit for taking the course from their own institution.

How much credit will I receive for a Summer School course?

Each Summer School course is equivalent to one course from an undergraduate degree. Generally our courses receive 3 - 4 credits in the US system and 7.5 ECTS in the European system.

Students who wish to receive credit for their course will need to contact either their Study Abroad Office or the office in their university that deals with external credit. It is up to a student's home institution as to how much credit is awarded but the Summer School Office is happy to provide any necessary information to your registry or academic advisor to help them evaluate the courses. 

Do Summer School courses count towards the LSE undergraduate programme?

LSE Summer School courses do not count towards a degree at LSE. Summer School in the UK is not seen as a way of repeating failed courses or a way of graduating quickly. However, LSE Summer School courses are based upon LSE degree programmes and are often used as access courses by graduate admissions at LSE.

What documentation will I receive upon successful completion of a Summer School course?

Summer School students will automatically receive an electronic transcript upon completion of a Summer School course. An Attendance or Graded certificate will be available on request.

How and when will I receive my certificate?

Certificates will be posted to students. Towards the end of the course all students will receive a link to an online evaluation form. At the end of this form you will be asked to confirm that you wish to receive a certificate and the address you would like the certificate to be sent to.

Certificates are usually posted out at the end of October to the address that you provided in the online evaluation form.

How and when will I receive my transcript?

Transcripts will be made available electronically, after the end of the programme, usually in late September to early October, via the LSE Digitary system. Summer School students will receive an email with information on accessing their digital transcript.

You will subsequently have the opportunity to order hard copies of your transcript through the Summer School website. These will be sent to any address worldwide free of charge for the first year.

How do I order transcripts from previous years?

Please see information provided on the transcripts page.

Will I be able to access my online course material after I have left? 

We strongly advise that all students download and save, or print any materials during the programme that they would like to keep. Your LSE IT account will be closed shortly after the Summer School is over, at which point you will no longer have access to Moodle.

Will I be able to access online recordings after I complete my course?

Students should not expect to be able to access course content once their course has concluded.