The Online Taught degree programmes in Economics, Management, Finance, and Social Sciences (EMFSS) are a collaboration between LSE and the University of London. 

When you enrol on an EMFSS programme, you are registered as a student with the University of London. When you pass your programme, you will receive a qualification and certificate from the University of London and you will be an alumna/alumnus of the University of London.You will be invited to celebrate your achievement at a University of London graduation ceremony, held in London.

LSE provides academic direction for these programmes, which means that LSE faculty design the programme, course materials and the content of your final exams. As a University of London student, you are considered an important part of the wider LSE community. During your studies you’ll have access to the LSE library for referencing purposes. Upon successful completion of your programme, you will also be invited to a EMFSS graduate student reception at LSE.

The academic year is split into two half-year study sessions, each containing 20 weeks of learning. Students wishing to complete their degree in three years typically enrol in two full courses (or equivalent) per study session (the equivalent of four full courses each year). Students can register for a maximum of four full courses (or equivalent) in one academic year.

We encourage students to study and examine at least three to four full courses per academic year to complete degree requirements within three to four years. You do have the option to complete your programme in as many as six years.

Please note that when you can first sit for your examinations is determined by your programme start date, so keep this in mind when planning your degree completion timeline.

Your admissions counsellor is more than a source of basic programme information: They are your personal resource for questions, concerns and feedback throughout the application process. 

Your counsellor can help you:

• Determine how the programme can help you meet your professional goals
• Develop an authentic, substantive and compelling application 
• Navigate financial support options and tuition management plans
• Explore the student experience, including live sessions and the online campus
• Access exclusive webinars, information sessions and networking opportunities.

The admissions team can help answer any questions you have during the admissions process. Fill out this form, or contact us at +44 808 196 0353 or admissions@onlinecourses.london.ac.uk to receive more support. 

There are several ways you can make the most of your programme’s affiliation with LSE during your studies.

EMFSS students are welcome to apply to attend LSE Summer School to experience life on campus and earn credits towards their University of London qualification. EMFSS students are entitled to claim a 15% discount on their Summer School fees. 

Students who have completed the equivalent of at least four full courses on their University of London EMFSS degree programme are also able to apply for admission to the LSE General Course, which allows students from overseas universities to spend a full academic year at LSE and claim credit for the successful completion of relevant courses. 

Online Taught EMFSS students are welcome to apply to the second year of entry of a relevant degree at LSE. EMFSS students should bear in mind that transfer is not automatic and competition is fierce given that LSE is restricted to numbers for both first and second year entries. Please read more about transferring to LSE for second year entry on the Online Taught programmes entrance requirements page. 

A number of EMFSS graduates choose to continue their studies at LSE by applying to complete a postgraduate qualification.

Read more about the opportunities to study at LSE.

Reading is an essential part of any degree study programme. In order to support you during the course of your studies, all registered students have free access to the University of London’s excellent Online Library.  

The Online Library provides access to over 100 million academic journal articles, newspapers, and a growing collection of eBooks from Dawson Books. All library resources have been carefully selected because of their high academic quality and as such are more reliable than those that are freely available on the internet.

You are also entitled to use the University Library, which is based at Senate House in central London.

Many students use local or university libraries close to where they live. Details of libraries that offer facilities to University of London students can be found on the University of London website.

Students will be able to register for a virtual student card. Students can do this by applying directly to ISIC. Further information is available on the ISIC website.

Yes, students who are awarded a degree will be invited to the annual University of London graduation ceremony in London. An email invitation will be sent with advice on registering and booking tickets for guests.  

Find out more about previous graduation ceremonies, and see images and videos from the day, on the University of London website. If you have recently completed your studies, but not received an invite, please contact us at universityevents@london.ac.uk. 

EMFSS graduates are also invited to attend a graduate student reception at LSE, where they and their families are invited to celebrate their achievement with fellow EMFSS graduates and senior LSE academics.

The final diploma will indicate that you were awarded a University of London degree and give the name of the Lead College (LSE) that conducted the examinations. The University of London logo and signature of the Vice-Chancellor are incorporated.   

You will also receive a Diploma Supplement, which describes the nature, level and content of the degree you completed. It includes a transcript of courses taken and marks achieved, as well as the overall classification. It also provides further information about the role of the Lead College and method of study. 

Diplomas are sent out between three to six months after your examination results have been released. 

The Online Taught undergraduate programmes are a collaboration between the University of London and LSE – two universities who are trusted and recognised by students, employers, and academic communities around the world. 

Upon successful completion of an Online Taught programme, you’ll be awarded a prestigious, globally-recognised qualification from the University of London – a world leader in higher education and distance learning – with academic direction from LSE – ranked #2 globally in Social Sciences and Management.  

These programmes will give you the ability to lead in solving problems of contemporary global relevance. You will graduate with knowledge, skills and ways of thinking about the world that will translate to the workplace. Your programme will prepare you to pursue careers in a wide range of sectors and fields, including finance, accountancy, consulting and management, data science, sales, marketing and public policy.  

As an Online Taught student, you’ll also get exclusive access to career support and resources which will help you achieve your career goals. Read more about careers and employability.

We encourage applications from students who have the motivation and qualifications to successfully undertake an Online Taught EMFSS degree programme. To study with the University of London you must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements. Some programmes may have additional requirements. The University of London accepts qualifications from around the world. Learn more about important programme requirements and application guidelines.

You can apply online here. 

Along with your application, you’ll need to submit application materials including a personal statement and post-school certificates or transcripts. For more information, visit ‘How to Apply’ for Online Taught EMFSS programmes. 

We offer four programme start points (with corresponding application deadlines) for Online Taught EMFSS programmes each year: August, November, February and May. 

We accept applications on a rolling basis, so we're ready to evaluate your application when you're ready to submit it. We encourage you to submit your application by the priority deadline for your preferred programme, or as soon as it is ready. 

View upcoming start points and deadlines.

No, we do not conduct interviews. We do, however, encourage applicants to share more about their background and experiences in their personal statement.

Yes, please see this list of qualifications we accept and equivalents. If your qualification is not on the list, please email the online programmes admissions team at admissions@onlinecourses.london.ac.uk for advice.

Yes, but we might require further evidence from you to confirm your proficiency. Find out more about the language requirements and accepted awards and proficiency tests on the University of London website.

We do not require any references; however, if you feel a reference will strengthen your application, contact your admissions counsellor at +44 808 196 0353 or admissions@onlinecourses.london.ac.uk for next steps. 

Each academic year is split into two 20-week study sessions. Students are required to register twice per year, once ahead of each study session. Ahead of each study session, you can register for up to the equivalent of 2 full courses (60 credits), which is equal to the equivalent of 4 full courses per academic year.

Yes, if you decide to change to another programme of study, you should inform the registry office of the University of London which programme you wish to be registered for.

There are two opportunities each year to do this:

• When you pay your continuing registration fee
• When you enter for examinations

Current students should look at their Student Handbook and Degree Regulations for further information. 

It is possible to transfer to the University of London Online Taught EMFSS programmes and to transfer credits. A successful application to transfer will depend on your existing qualifications. Please visit the University of London website for more information about transferring credit.

It is also possible for students of Online Taught EMFSS degrees to apply for 2nd year entry to a relevant undergraduate degree at LSE. EMFSS students should bear in mind that transfer is not automatic and competition is fierce given that LSE has limited places for both first and second year entries. Read more about transferring to LSE, below.

Online Taught EMFSS students are welcome to apply to the 2nd year of entry of a relevant undergraduate degree at LSE. Please bear in mind that transfer is not automatic and admission is highly competitive as a limited number of places are available for both first and second year entries. 

As a brief idea, generally departments would usually ask for an average of 60% in the diploma/degree foundation courses with at least 60% in three of the courses and a good pass in the fourth.

Another requirement for second year entry is that the courses taken via University of London Programmes (EMFSS) match the content of the first year of the internal LSE degree you wish to transfer to as closely as possible. Courses should therefore be carefully selected. You should also pay close attention to the start date of your programme and the dates at which you will receive your course results, and how this aligns with the application deadline and start date of the LSE programme you wish to transfer to.

Applicants need to apply through UCAS in the normal way, stating that they wish to apply for second year entry.

Transfer into the second year of the International Relations, BSc Management, International History & International Relations, BA History and LLB programmes is not permitted and neither is a transfer into the third year of any LSE programme.

If you’re looking to experience learning with LSE without transferring, you can take advantage of further opportunities to study at LSE, both on campus and online. Read more about opportunities to attend LSE as part of your University of London studies, as a graduate student, or as part of your professional development.

For more information, review the Economics, Management, Finance and the Social Sciences (EMFSS) Online Taught Programme Regulations (updated annually). 

Once you have enrolled, you will also have the support of a dedicated student success advisor who can help you navigate questions related to those requirements and regulations.

Learn more about tuition and programme fees.

Yes. You can learn more about available scholarships and other financial support options via the below resources:

• Funding Your Study: Read more about undergraduate loans, scholarships and bursaries, employer sponsorship and other forms of financial support. 
• Alumni Bursary: Graduates of the University of London can enrol on further courses with a bursary of 10% off your programme fees. 
• Sir John Cass's Foundation Scholarship: The Sir John Cass's Foundation Distance Learning Scholarship supports young people living in London who wish to study our courses by distance learning. 

Learn more about funding and financial support options.

If your application is successful, you will receive an offer inviting you to register and pay for your courses. You will select and pay for the courses you wish to study in advance of each biannual study session. You must have paid your course fees by the registration closing date for your chosen study session. 

For all payment deadlines, please refer to the ‘when to pay’ section in the fees schedule document for the programme you are applying to. You can find all fees schedules on the University of London course fees page.

All fees must be paid in pounds sterling and can be paid:

• Online via the Student Portal using a credit/ debit card (Visa, MasterCard)
• By Western Union Quick Pay
• By banker’s draft/cheque 
• By international money/postal order made payable to ‘The University of London’ 

For further information, visit how to pay your fees.

When paying online with a credit or debit card there is an option that allows students to either pay in GBP or for an online conversion to a local currency. Students can then choose whether they want their card provider to make the conversion at their rate or whether they wish to take that offered by University of London's online payment provider. For all other available payment methods (bank draft etc) the payment would need to be in GBP. 

No, you are not able to pay in instalments at this time. Tuition fees must be paid in full upon registration of courses before the start of each study session. Full-time students can expect to pay for the equivalent of 2 full courses by the registration deadline. Please note that the registration deadline is a hard deadline and cannot be extended. Students are encouraged to register as early as possible. 

UK Resident Students can apply for a student loan online through Student Finance UK. You will need to submit your application via one of the Student Finance bodies (England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland), as arrangements differ depending on where you live. If a student loan is approved, the UK Government will pay your University of London tuition fees directly.

Students will need to apply online via the relevant Student Finance bodies. Students applying for UK Student Finance can do this at https://www.gov.uk/student-finance-register-login.

The relevant Student Finance body will be in touch with you regarding your application so please be sure to keep track of your student loan application and respond to any correspondence at your earliest convenience. If you have been approved for a loan, the Student Finance body will send you a ‘financial notification’ showing the loan instalments and payment dates.  

Student loan confirmation can take up to six weeks after applying so it is important to apply as soon as possible to ensure you receive confirmation ahead of the registration deadline for your programme.  

Once you receive your student loan approval, you will provide a copy of your ‘financial notification’ to the Fees Office, via the University of London ‘Contact Us’ form/enquiry system.

It is possible for students to register before loan/student finance confirmation. Please note that if the University of London does not receive confirmation of your loan by the registration deadline, you are encouraged to pay the registration fee for the courses you wish to register for upfront. University of London will then refund the appropriate amount once the confirmation of the student loan has been submitted to the University of London Fees Office by you at a later stage.  

No. All your learning will be conducted entirely online. This will include asynchronous learning where you will study independently to your classmates, as well as your live, online sessions with fellow students and your class teacher, which will be conducted fortnightly through Zoom. 

Read more about the online student experience.

You can engage with your class teacher via the course wall within the Digital Campus, during your live sessions, and directly via email.

Our people-centric approach to online learning blends high-quality academic content with seamless access. You will:

• Participate in live, online sessions that bring you face-to-face with class teachers and students. Hosted via HD streaming video, these engaging, live sessions enable you to collaborate in real time and reinforce what you’ve learned.
• Complete interactive course materials designed by world-leading LSE faculty – like videos, interactive quizzes and case studies – between live sessions. Your course content is available via tablet, mobile and desktop devices, so you can access it anywhere and complete it at your own pace.
• Track your progress via your programme dashboard, a centralised resource that displays upcoming assignments, course materials, links to your next live session and more.

Read more about the online student experience.

We support you from the moment you request information through to your graduation.

• As an applicant, you will have the option to work with a dedicated admissions counsellor who can provide personalised application guidance and navigate issues specific to your circumstances, challenges and goals.
• When you enrol, we will pair you with a student success advisor who will meet with you regularly to help you track your degree progress, anticipate scheduling challenges and balance financial, professional and personal priorities.
• Throughout your programme, we offer 24/7 tech support to ensure you have uninterrupted access to your courses, assignments and online campus features.
• Your class teacher will lead fortnightly live sessions where you’ll have the opportunity to discuss key concepts, clarify your learning for the fortnight, and interact with your fellow classmates. You will also have the opportunity to engage with your class teacher via the course wall within the Digital Campus and directly via email.

You must attend your fortnightly live sessions as these are planned with exam success in mind. If you cannot attend for any reason, please alert your Class Teacher.

You must attend 80 percent of the live sessions for each course in order to sit the exam for the course.

You will get access to your course materials on the Digital Campus (also referred to as the Virtual Learning Environment) two weeks prior to your programme start date.

Your course materials and videos – developed by leading LSE academics specifically for online learning – are all available on demand via desktop, mobile or tablet, which means you can access them anywhere you have an internet connection. You can also download materials via the mobile app for easy offline access. Your study materials will include digital or downloadable course notes, videos, discussion forums, formative assessments, course work, study skills, past examination papers and examiners’ commentaries.

Read more about the online student experience.

As a rough guide you should allow 10 hours for each credit. Therefore a 30-credit course/module is worth 300 hours. However, with all academic studies the more you can read and research, the more valuable the experience. Therefore, we suggest allocating approximately 12 hours of learning for each course, per week.

Yes, live sessions are compulsory. This is intended to support and enhance your learning experience. You will be required to attend 80 percent of live sessions per course in order to be eligible to sit the exam.

Yes, there will be one 90-minute live, online session every two weeks per course that you are registered for.

Live session times may vary but there are generally options in the mornings and evenings GMT (UK time). Live session times per course will be confirmed with you via the live session selection task you are invited to complete by your Student Success Advisor once you have registered for your courses. As session sizes are limited, you are advised to register for your courses as soon as registration opens so that you can select the session time that suits you best. 

Live sessions take place every second week.

Yes, live sessions will take place in the same week.

Most courses are assessed by a three-hour examination for a full course or a two-hour examination for a half course. A few courses are also assessed by coursework. Detailed information for each course can be found in the Economics, Management, Finance and the Social Sciences (EMFSS) Online Taught Programme Regulations (updated annually).

Read more about examinations of the University of London website.

There are two exam sessions per year, commencing in May and October/November. Courses studied in August and November can be first examined in the next May session. Courses studied in February and May can be first examined in the next November session. 

Yes, there is a short study break ahead of each examination period (approximately 1.5 to 2 weeks in duration).

This is dependent on the course, however examinations typically involve questions in different forms such as multiple choice questions, essays, as well as short and long written questions.