Student life

We asked our students to share their LSE experiences with us. Take a look at their responses.

Our staff and students share why they're proud to be #partofLSE

Our campus is both a place for students to focus on their academic studies and a place which enables them to engage with interests and activities outside of their degree.

• We have 200+ societies run by the LSE Students' Union, covering a wide range of academic, career, charity, faith, media, creative, national, cultural and activity based interests.

• Whether you're a beginner or a top-level athlete competing at national level, the LSESU have you covered! There are over 40 Athletics Union sports teams, two on-campus gyms and fitness studio, fitness classes and a dedicated Sports Performance Programme. The Marshall Building includes a Sports Centre with multipurpose sports hall, squash courts and dynamic weights room.  

• The LSESU media channels include a radio station (PuLSE Radio), student newspaper and journal.

• Although we are a specialist social science institution, there is a lively and vibrant cultural side to life at LSE! LSE Arts and Music run art and photography exhibitions, hold weekly lunchtime music concerts and performance nights. We also have a choir and orchestra and a dedicated music practice room located in the historic Shaw Library. Our Marshall Building is also home to arts rehearsal facilities and music practice rooms. 

• There are lots of ways to get involved in volunteering and campaigning at LSE. LSESU RAG (LSE Students' Union Raising and Giving) and the LSE Volunteering Centre can help you explore your options and find placements. 
• Our public events enable our students and members of the public to hear from some of the world’s leading academics, presidents, prime minsters, international business leaders and policy makers. These events are free to attend and open to all!
• Several departments offer undergraduate students the chance to get involved with research projects and internships, within academic departments, or with external organisations and businesses. 
• LSE Careers run events throughout the year both on and off campus. Events include career and internship fairs, sector specific events, employer and alumni insight sessions, professional development workshops as well as one-to-one appointments with a careers consultant. Read the LSE Careers guidance for applicants here. 
• The School's centre for personal, professional and academic development, LSE LIFE, run workshops, talks and events designed to help students develop skills that will benefit them during their time at LSE and beyond. Their LIFE in London series of social events are designed to help students make the most of their time in the city, meet new people and have fun!
• Living in a hall of residence is a great way to meet new people and quickly become part of a student community. Each residence will have their own programme of social activities throughout the year, from brunches to bar crawls. 
• Departments will also run their own activities and events for their students, including pizza parties, film screenings, formal balls and boat cruises.

Watch our Virtual Undergraduate Open Day student panels to find out more about our student life at LSE.

Find out more on our campus life pages.

There are countless benefits to being a student in London, whether academic, professional or social. Whatever your interests, you will find plenty to do in the city!

Financing your first few months as a student in London

Every area of London has its own identity and something different to offer. Use the resources below to find out more about being a student in London.

• Read recent graduate Thuy’s guide of what to eat, visit and do and where!
• Watch our student vlogs 
• Top reasons to study in the city
• Our essential guide to London 
• Read our London Life student blogs 
• Visit the Meet our Students page
• Explore the city using our tailored Google Map

Financing your first few months as a student in London

We know that students can have concerns about the cost of studying in London. 

We would recommend that you familiarise yourself with our fees and funding pages to find out more about the financial support offered by LSE, government loans and tuition fees.

The number of awards, their value and the eligibility criteria vary from year to year. All scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial need in the first instance. Examples of scholarships on offer include:

• Uggla Family Scholars Programme: typically 7 scholarships for new UK undergraduate students and 3 scholarships for new overseas undergraduate students, worth over £22,000 per year. Covering partial tuition fee payments and full maintenance costs, awards will be renewed for each subsequent year of study, subject to satisfactory academic progress.
• LSE Stelios Scholarships: Award value of £17,000 per year for students from Greece and Cyprus on business related degrees.
• Undergraduate Support Scheme: Awards are usually between £6,000 and £15,000, renewable for each year of study for students with fee Overseas status, subject to satisfactory academic progress.

Introduction to the Uggla Family Scholars Programme

We typically recommend that students budget for £1300 - £1400 a month for living expenses, including accommodation, food, travel and other personal expenses. This amount that you spend will vary depending on your lifestyle, personal preferences and requirements, so it's important you do your own research. There are lots of budgeting tools that can help you plan your budget. 

Part-time work may also be an option for some students, and there are often on-campus opportunities available including event stewarding, administration and our Student Ambassador Scheme. Read our student blog posts to find out more about part-time work opportunities. 

Our ‘London on a budget’ guide offers information about budgeting and includes tips and advice from LSE students. If you plan carefully, it is possible to live economically whilst making the most of what the city has to offer.

To find out more about student life at LSE and the Students' Union, watch our Undergraduate Open Day videos - an introduction to the LSESU.