Frequently asked questions

The LSE-PKU Summer School is an intensive, two week programme. Each course is full-time, and consists of a total of 48 contact hours between Monday and Friday over the two weeks. Usually this involves 36 hours of lectures, attended by all participants on the class and held each morning, and 12 hours of seminar classes in groups of up to 15, held each afternoon. However, other teaching methods appropriate to the individual courses may be used and schedules may vary.            

A course pack of reading material is provided to each participant at the start of the programme. If participants are required to purchase any textbooks prior to the start of the LSE-PKU Summer School, this will be made clear in the course outline.

Due to the rigorous, academic nature of the programme, participants are strongly advised to consult the preparatory and background reading section of the full course outlines, and to prepare as appropriate for the demands of the course.

Your average study day will consist of a morning lecture from 8:30-12:30, and afternoon seminar which will run from either 13:30-14:50 or 15:00-16:20* (*seminar times will alternate each week, so if you are in the earlier group in the first week you will be in the later group in the second). 

All LSE-PKU Summer School courses are assessed and graded, and a transcript and certificate are provided to all participants who successfully complete their course.            

Courses are generally assessed on a mid-term paper and a final examination, but other elements such as mid-term quizzes, group projects and student presentations may also contribute.            

All courses feature a final examination, which are two hours in length and held on the final day of the programme. All participants are encouraged to take the final examination, but those who choose not to are eligible to be awarded a Statement of Attendance, provided they have attended at least 80 per cent of the taught sessions. The final examination will be written by hand, however additional arrangements can be made for students with a disability or medical condition.

Full details of the assessment criteria, marking schemes and deadlines will be provided at the start of the programme. Please see the individual course descriptions for further information.

Institutions all over the world grant credit for Summer School courses. While ultimately it is up to your home institution as to how much credit is awarded, generally our courses are awarded 3 credits in the US system and 7.5 ECTS in the European system. For details, speak to your Study Abroad advisor.

The quality of the LSE-PKU Summer School courses is given the highest priority. However, no formal credit is awarded by LSE or PKU for the programme. It is hoped that the certificate, transcript and course syllabus provided to successful participants will enable them to receive credit from some universities, though it is strongly recommended that anyone considering this should speak to their home university as early as possible.

The LSE-PKU Summer School office is very pleased to provide any further information which may be helpful to students or their institutions.

During the LSE-PKU Summer School, participants have access to study facilities at Peking University including computer rooms, library, campus wireless network, printing services, and sports facilities. However, considering the intensive nature of the programme and the requirement for written papers and research, participants are strongly advised to bring their own laptop or similar device with them.

Generally speaking, a 100 level course is equivalent to the first (freshman/sophomore) year of a UK undergraduate degree, a 200 level course is equivalent to the second (junior) year, and a 300 level course is equivalant to the final (senior) year.

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 first number in the application code (found on the individual course pages) will indicate the course's level. For example LPS- EC208 is a 200 level course.

The LSE-PKU Summer School aims to create an environment which is welcoming to all participants. If you have a disability, medical condition, dyslexia, neurodiverse condition or other specific need, please email us before the Summer School begins so that we can try to accommodate your needs and ensure that we are fully prepared for your arrival.

Due to the intensive nature of the programme you can only take one course per year.

There is no minimum grade requirement for applications to the programme, but applicants should be prepared to actively participate in a rigorous, intensive academic programme run by two leading research and teaching universities. It is expected that participants will engage with the extensive reading list as required by their course and contribute fully to class discussions.

We also welcome students and professionals on all levels of courses. Students who complete their High School studies and hold a confirmed university offer may also apply.

Some LSE-PKU Summer School courses have specific prerequisites listed in the course descriptions, whilst others suggest (but do not require) particular academic backgrounds. Applicants for a course where prerequisites are in place should ensure that the documentation they provide with their application clearly indicates how their previous study or experience meets this requirement.

As the LSE-PKU Summer School is delivered in English, it is essential that all participants have a good standard of English language to enable them to fully participate in the programme and interact with their classmates. Students for whom English is not their first language must provide evidence of language proficiency.

We appreciate that applicants may show their English ability in a range of ways, such as:

• Being of a nationality where English is the first language.
• Having studied at university level in English (not learning English language), as shown on a transcript.
• Having studied English at school, not as a foreign language (eg, GCSE, iGCSE, O-Level, A-Level, International Baccalaureate) and received a good passing grade.
• Having taken an approved English Language test and met one of the standards below:

If you have any queries about whether your proof of English Language is suitable, please contact the LSE-PKU Summer School office.

Before you can apply online you need to pay an application fee of £50 by credit or debit card online through LSE's Online Store. The application fee must be paid before an application can be processed.

Important: The application fee is not refundable in the event of an unsuccessful application or a decision to withdraw or decline an offered place.

Once you have paid your application fee, you can start your online application and submit your supporting documents. If you also wish to apply to our Pre-sessional Mandarin Course you will able to do so as part of this process.

If you are based in China you may wish to apply through our Beijing office.

Receipt of your application will be acknowledged within five working days. A decision will normally be made on fully completed applications within ten working days, but at particularly busy times, or during university closure dates, such as Christmas or Easter, these timescales may be extended.

You will need to provide:

1) Documentation to show that you satisfy the entry requirements of your course, such as a university transcript.

2) Proof of meeting the English language requirements (if relevant).

3) A passport style photo (a photo of your face with a clear background), this will be used for your student ID card at Peking University. 

4) Your passport or Chinese ID number (but only if it will be valid for the duration of the Summer School). If you do not currently have a passport that will be valid during the Summer School, we will ask you to send us a copy of your new passport before the programme begins.

5) If you will not be 18 years old by the start of the LSE-PKU Summer School you will also need to provide a letter from your parent/guardian to confirm that you have their permission to attend the two week programme.

Fraud prevention

We take active steps to scrutinise and verify documents received during the application process. If we are unable to verify independently the accuracy of information supplied, your application may be cancelled and any offer withdrawn.

Once you have received an offer you must confirm your acceptance within four weeks by paying your tuition fees in full. Full instructions on how to pay your tuition fee will be included in your offer letter.

Places on the LSE-PKU Summer School are limited and if your place is not confirmed within four weeks of receipt, it may be offered to another applicant.

If you have decided not to accept the place, please contact us within four weeks, to enable us to release your place for another applicant.

Withdrawal

In order to withdraw from the programme, you must inform us in writing by sending an email to lse.pku.summerschool@lse.ac.uk and receive written acknowledgement of your withdrawal.    

Refund Policy

The application fee is non-refundable.

As participants enter a contract (by paying the tuition fee) with the LSE-PKU Summer School by means of distance communication, it is possible to terminate the contract and withdraw from the programme within 14 calendar days from the date on which the offer is confirmed* (*confirmed date is determined by date of tuition fee payment).

We operate the following policy for refunds after 14 days of confirming your offer. Tuition fees will then be refunded in accordance with the participants' withdrawal date, in 90%, 50% and no refunds respectively.   

• All refunds are made in pounds sterling (GBP). The LSE-PKU Summer School cannot refund any shortfalls due to exchnge rate fluctuations, or offer compensation for any bank or other charges incurred.

• Refunds will be made onto the credit/debit card used to make the payment.

• The application fee is non-refundable, and no refunds can be issued against any additional costs incurred for travel, accommodation, or changes in exchange rates.

In the event that an LSE-PKU Summer School course is cancelled, participants registered for that course will be offered a place on an alternative course, or a full refund of their tuition fees. Registered participants will be informed as early as possible if a course is at risk of cancellation.

Deferral Policy

You can only defer your offer once and only to the following year. You will not need to reapply or pay the application fee again.

If you have paid your tuition fee and want to defer, we can hold your fees until the following year, this means that you will not have to pay any extra if our tuition fee rates increase the following year, however if you request a refund you will need to pay the total fee advertised for the following year. Please note, if you decide not to join the LSE-PKU Summer School the following year you will not be eligible for a refund unless you confirm before the cancellation deadlines of the year in which you originally applied. 

In order to defer the offer, you must inform us in writing by sending an email to lse.pku.summerschool@lse.ac.uk and receive written acknowledgement of your deferral. 

Please refer to our fees and payments page.

The tuition fee covers:

1) Two weeks of tuition (48 contact hours between Monday and Friday which include 36 hours of lectures and a total of 12 hours of seminar classes).

2) An electronic copy of the course reading pack (you can purchase a hard copy seperatly but we encourage you to be paper free to help the enviroment).

3) Formal welcome (orientaion and registration event on the Sunday before the course begins).

4) Extracurricular activities (see our student life at PKU page for more information).

5) Two roundtable events - a highly topical and interesting interdisciplinary discussion/ debate (topic TBC).

6) Farewell dinner (held on the final Friday of the Summer School, participants must sign up in advance).

7) LSE-PKU Summer School t-shirt and bag.

You will need to cover the costs of travel, accommodation and living expenses separately.

A £50 application fee must be paid by all applicants via the secure LSE Online Store before an application can be processed. Once you have been made an offer, you will be provided with full instructions about how to pay your tuition fee.

If you experience any problems paying via the Online Store, or are being sponsored by an organisation or employer for example, please contact us to arrange an invoice. 

We are delighted to offer an 'Early Bird' discount for all fully completed applications, typically by March each year.

Professional participants who are no longer in full-time education but who are alumni of LSE or PKU (including alumni of the LSE-PKU Summer School, LSE Summer School, or our other Summer Schools), are also able to take advantage of the student rate.

Unfortunately we do not offer any scholarships or bursaries.