Several programmes require GRE (Graduate Record Examination) or *GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test)/GMAT Focus Edition scores. The requirement, if present, will be indicated in the ‘key facts’ box at the start of each programme page, which you can find via our available programmes page. We require a GMAT or GRE which contains all elements of the test - if your online test does not contain all elements, we will be unable to accept it.
If GRE or GMAT scores are required by your chosen programme(s) it is essential that you supply them at the time you apply – your application will not be considered without them. You must include your test scores in the relevant section of the online application form, stating the percentile and marks obtained for all sections of the test. Your test scores should be less than five years old on 1 October 2025. GRE/GMAT scores are often a vital deciding factor, so you will not be able to submit your application without them if they are required by your programme(s).
*GMAT Focus Edition testing will start on 7th November 2023, and the previous GMAT test will be phased out in early 2024.
How to send us your scores
You should share your score report with LSE via Educational Testing Service (ETS) as well as entering your scores in the relevant section of the online application form. The LSE institution code for the GRE is 0972; no department code is required as the scores are processed centrally. The LSE institution code for the GMAT is HMT 86-56. For more information about the tests, please see www.gre.org or www.mba.com, or see www.ets.org
Recommended but not required
Applicants for some programmes may be recommended to take a test, particularly if quantitative skills are not demonstrated by their degree. If you submit scores when you are not required to, poor scores will not damage your application, but good scores may strengthen it.
Exceptions
The details listed below are exceptions to the GRE/GMAT requirements. These are the circumstances in which applicants do not need to submit GRE or GMAT scores when applying to a programme which would usually require them. Please check if the programme you plan to apply to requires GRE/GMAT. If the programme requires GRE/GMAT and does not appear in the list below, this means that there are no exceptions and all applicants must supply the required scores in order to be considered.
In all cases, departments may still request students to take a GRE/GMAT test, even where an exemption applies.
GRE: If your chosen programme requires/accepts GRE scores, you may take the online version of the test.
Further details about the ‘GRE General Test at Home’ can be found here: https://www.ets.org/s/cv/gre/at-home/.
GMAT: If your chosen programme requires/accepts GMAT scores, you may take the online version of the test, however if the test was taken before April 8, 2021 and therefore doesn’t contain the AWA component, your department can ask you to take a new, full test if they wish to do so.
Further details about the ‘GMAT Online Exam’ can be found here: https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-online.
GRE or GMAT required
Exempt if:
- You are currently studying on a UK undergraduate degree taught entirely in the UK.
- You have been awarded a UK undergraduate degree taught entirely in the UK.
- You are currently studying on a UK postgraduate diploma taught entirely in the UK.
- You have been awarded a UK postgraduate diploma taught entirely in the UK.
- You have been awarded a bachelor’s degree from, or are currently a student of, the University of London Programmes, taught entirely through the UoL.
Please note that if you have graduated with a grade lower than a 2:1 degree (or are not predicted to graduate with a 2:1) then you are recommended to submit a GRE or GMAT score with your application.
GRE or GMAT required
Exempt if:
- You do not have access to a GRE or GMAT test centre in your country of residence.
- You do not have sufficient funds to pay for a GRE or GMAT test.
GRE required
Exempt if:
- You are currently studying on a UK undergraduate degree taught entirely in the UK.
- You have been awarded a UK undergraduate degree taught entirely in the UK.
- You have been awarded, or are currently studying, an undergraduate degree where at least the last 2 years were studied as part of a bachelor's degree at a UK institution. For example: you have studied at a non-UK institution and transferred to study the last 2 years at a UK institution OR you are studying a 2+2 dual degree with the last 2 years at a UK institution.
- You have been awarded a UK Master's degree taught entirely in the UK.
- You do not have access to a GRE or GMAT test centre in your country of residence.
- You do not have sufficient funds to pay for a GRE or GMAT test.
GRE required
Exempt if:
- You are currently studying a UK undergraduate degree taught entirely in the UK. The degree must be either purely an Economics degree or a joint Economics degree with a substantial element of economics and quantitative subjects.
- You have been awarded a 2:1 or better UK undergraduate degree taught entirely in the UK. The degree must be either purely an Economics degree or a joint Economics degree with a substantial element of economics and quantitative subjects.
- You have been awarded a bachelor's degree from, or are currently a student of, the University of London Programmes, taught entirely through the UoL. The degree must be either purely an Economics degree or a joint Economics degree with a substantial element of economics and quantitative subjects.
- You have been awarded, or are currently studying, an undergraduate degree where at least the last 2 years were studied as part of a bachelor's degree at a UK institution. The degree must be either purely an Economics degree or a joint Economics degree with a substantial element of economics and quantitative subjects. For example: you have studied at a non-UK institution and transferred to study the last 2 years at a UK institution OR you are studying a 2+2 dual degree with the last 2 years at a UK institution.
- You have been awarded a UK postgraduate diploma in Economics, taught entirely in the UK - or you hold a postgraduate diploma in Economics awarded by the University of London - and can provide a full and final transcript as well as an academic reference from a teacher who taught you on that diploma.
- You do not have access to a GRE or GMAT test centre in your country of residence.
- You do not have sufficient funds to pay for a GRE or GMAT test.
Please note that GRE is recommended for applicants who did not achieve - or are unlikely to achieve - a 1st class degree or equivalent, and/or if the degree is non-quantitative.
GRE required
Exempt if:
- You do not have access to a GRE or GMAT test centre in your country of residence.
- You do not have sufficient funds to pay for a GRE or GMAT test.
GRE or GMAT Required
Exempt if:
- You have been awarded or are currently studying any of the following undergraduate or postgraduate qualifications at the London School of Economics and Political Science: BSc Economics, BSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics, BSc Economics with Economics History, BSc Economic History and Economics, BSc Economic History with Economics, BSc Finance, BSc Financial Mathematics and Statistics, BSc Mathematics and Economics, BSc Mathematics with Economics, BSc Mathematics, Statistics and Business, BSc Management, and MSc Management. Applicants who have been awarded or are currently studying the BSc in Economic History (without Economics) and BSc in Accounting and Finance will have to provide GMAT or GRE scores.
GRE or GMAT required (GMAT preferred)
Exempt if:
- You are currently studying on a UK undergraduate degree taught entirely in the UK.
- You have been awarded a UK undergraduate degree taught entirely in the UK.
- You have been awarded a bachelor's degree from, or are currently a student of, the University of London Programmes, taught entirely through the UoL.
- The relevant test(s) are not available either in person or online in your country of residence.
GRE or GMAT required
Exempt if:
- You are currently studying on a UK undergraduate degree taught entirely in the UK.
- You have been awarded a UK undergraduate degree taught entirely in the UK.
- You have been awarded a bachelor's degree from, or are currently a student of, the University of London Programmes, taught entirely through the UoL.
- The relevant test(s) are not available either in person or online in your country of residence.
GRE or GMAT required (GMAT preferred)
Exempt if:
- You are currently studying on a UK undergraduate degree taught entirely in the UK.
- You have been awarded a UK undergraduate degree taught entirely in the UK.
- You have been awarded a bachelor's degree from, or are currently a student of, the University of London Programmes, taught entirely through the UoL.
- The relevant test(s) are not available either in person or online in your country of residence.
GRE or GMAT required
Exempt if:
- You are currently studying on a UK undergraduate degree taught entirely in the UK.
- You have been awarded a UK undergraduate degree taught entirely in the UK.
- You are currently studying on a UK Master's degree taught entirely in the UK.
- You have been awarded a UK Master's degree taught entirely in the UK.
- You are currently studying on a UK postgraduate diploma taught entirely in the UK.
- You have been awarded a UK postgraduate diploma taught entirely in the UK.
GRE or GMAT required
Exempt if:
- You are currently studying on a UK undergraduate degree taught entirely in the UK.
- You have been awarded a UK undergraduate degree taught entirely in the UK.
- You are currently studying on a UK Master's degree taught entirely in the UK.
- You have been awarded a UK Master's degree taught entirely in the UK.
- You are currently studying on a UK postgraduate diploma taught entirely in the UK.
- You have been awarded a UK postgraduate diploma taught entirely in the UK.
GRE or GMAT required
Exempt if:
-
You have been awarded or are currently studying any of the following undergraduate or postgraduate qualifications at the London School of Economics and Political Science: BSc Economics, BSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics, BSc Economics with Economics History, BSc Economic History and Economics, BSc Economic History with Economics, BSc Finance, BSc Financial Mathematics and Statistics, BSc Mathematics and Economics, BSc Mathematics with Economics, BSc Mathematics, Statistics and Business, BSc Management, and MSc Management. Applicants who have been awarded or are currently studying the BSc in Economic History (without Economics) and BSc in Accounting and Finance will have to provide GMAT or GRE scores.
GRE or GMAT required
Exempt if:
- You are currently studying on a UK undergraduate degree taught entirely in the UK.
- You have been awarded a UK undergraduate degree taught entirely in the UK.
- You are currently studying on a UK Master's degree taught entirely in the UK.
- You have been awarded a UK Master's degree taught entirely in the UK.
However, please note that submitting a GMAT or GRE score is highly desirable and will strengthen your application.
GRE or GMAT required (GMAT preferred)
Exempt if:
You are currently studying on a UK undergraduate degree taught entirely in the UK.
- You have been awarded a UK undergraduate degree taught entirely in the UK.
- You have been awarded a bachelor's degree from, or are currently a student of, the University of London Programmes, taught entirely through the UoL.
- The relevant test(s) are not available either in person or online in your country of residence.