LSE undergraduate English requirement
From LSE's undergraduate English language requirements. You only need to provide proof if you receive an offer, and then before LSE's July deadline. Scores must come from one sitting, and IELTS, TOEFL and Trinity results must be from within two years before 1 September of your entry year.
| Test | Requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic (including online version) | 7.0 overall and 7.0 in each component |
| PTE Academic (in person only) | 70 overall with 70 in all components |
| TOEFL iBT (incl. Home and Paper) | 100, with W 27 · R 25 · L 24 · S 24 |
| TOEFL iBT updated scale (from Jan 2026) | 5.5, with 5 in each skill |
| C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency | 185 overall, 185 in each component |
| Trinity ISE | Level III with distinction in each component |
LSE graduate English requirement (2027/28 entry)
From LSE's graduate English language requirements. Each programme page names its tier. Tests must be less than two years old on 1 October 2027. LSE accepts IELTS Academic, IELTS online and IELTS for UKVI; PTE Academic counts only if taken in person.
| Tier | IELTS (overall; R / L / W / S) | PTE in person (overall; R / L / W / S) | TOEFL iBT (overall; R / L / W / S) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A. Standard | 7.0; 6.5 / 6.5 / 6.5 / 6.5 | 70; 62 / 62 / 62 / 62 | 100; 23 / 22 / 24 / 22 |
| B. Higher | 7.0; 7.0 / 6.5 / 6.5 / 6.5 | 70; 70 / 62 / 62 / 62 | 100; 25 / 22 / 24 / 22 |
| C. Research (MPhil/PhD, except Law and Statistics) | 7.0; 7.0 / 6.5 / 7.0 / 6.5 | 70; 70 / 62 / 70 / 62 | 100; 25 / 22 / 27 / 22 |
| D. Law (all Law Department programmes) | 7.5; 7.0 / 7.0 / 7.0 / 6.5 | 78; 70 / 70 / 70 / 62 | 109; 25 / 24 / 27 / 22 |
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For graduate study, LSE expects the score in one sitting but may accept IELTS One Skill Retake at the selectors' discretion. Its undergraduate page says it will not combine component scores from different tests.
Duolingo is not a preferred test. Graduate applicants who cannot take a listed test may ask, through the extenuating circumstances form, to use Duolingo or IELTS Indicator plus the LSE Language Centre Assessment. Places are limited.
Graduate applicants with an English condition may be able to take a pre-sessional course at the LSE Language Centre. LSE also says it will never accept scores below UKVI's Student visa requirements, because it could not issue a CAS.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your LSE programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Frequently asked questions
Does LSE accept PTE?+
Yes, but only when taken in person. Undergraduates need 70 overall with 70 in all components; graduate Standard programmes need 70 with 62 in each skill.
Is One Skill Retake accepted at LSE?+
For graduate programmes, possibly: LSE may accept it at the selectors' discretion. The undergraduate page requires scores from one sitting.
Do I need IELTS for UKVI for LSE?+
No. LSE accepts IELTS Academic, its online version and IELTS for UKVI at the same scores.
What IELTS do I need for a master's at LSE?+
7.0 overall with 6.5 in each component for Standard programmes, 7.0 in reading for Higher, and 7.5 overall for all Law programmes.
Does LSE accept Duolingo?+
Not as a standard test. Graduate applicants who cannot sit a listed test may request to combine Duolingo with the LSE Language Centre Assessment.
Keep reading
Related
- King's College London IELTS requirement
- Warwick IELTS requirement
- TOEFL to IELTS converter
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
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Verified against the linked official sources on 4 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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