Undergraduate · LSE Economics
LSE's BSc Economics asks for an A* in Mathematics, makes the TMUA compulsory and does not interview applicants, so the application and the test carry the whole case. This guide is written for families planning 2028 entry. Everything cycle-specific in it was last verified for 2027 entry, because LSE has not yet published its 2028-entry requirements or dates; it explains what to prepare now and what to check when LSE publishes them.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
Taken from LSE's course page, TMUA page and How to apply page, last verified on 20 October 2026. For a normal 2028-entry application, made in 2027, every requirement and date below is last verified for the previous cycle and may change; LSE's 2028-entry requirements, test sittings and dates are awaiting publication.
The standard A-level offer is A*AA with an A* in Mathematics; the contextual offer is A*AB. IB applicants need 39 points with 766 at Higher Level and 7 in Mathematics; the contextual IB offer is 38 points. LSE also asks for GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade B (6).
A-level Mathematics is required. Further Mathematics is desirable, but applicants whose schools do not offer it are not disadvantaged.
Every applicant must take the Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA); it is mandatory for BSc Economics. In the 2027-entry cycle LSE accepted either sitting, 12–16 October 2026 or 4–8 January 2027, with no advantage to either, and counted only the first sitting in an admissions cycle.
For 2027 entry, LSE's last date for applications to qualify for full and equal consideration was 13 January 2027 at 6pm UK time (GMT). The course starts in September 2027 and lasts three years. LSE's 2028-entry dates are awaiting publication.
Official sources
Last verified on 20 October 2026 for 2027 entry. Course code L101. The statements about the TMUA sittings and about interviews come from LSE's own TMUA and How to apply pages.
The programme
BSc Economics (UCAS code L101) is taught by LSE's Department of Economics over three years. The entry requirements say a great deal about the course: an A* in Mathematics is part of the standard A-level offer, a 7 in Mathematics is part of the standard IB offer, and the TMUA is compulsory. Applicants with a weaker mathematics record should read these requirements as a clear signal of the course's emphasis.
Reading the offer
LSE publishes its entry standard in several parts, and each is worth reading on its own.
A*AA with an A* in Mathematics. The A* in Mathematics is specified separately from the overall grades.
39 points with 766 at Higher Level and 7 in Mathematics, so the Mathematics grade is again specified separately from the total.
LSE publishes lower contextual offers: A*AB at A-level and 38 points in the IB. Whether you are eligible is for LSE to decide, so read its own guidance on contextual admissions rather than assuming.
LSE asks for GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade B (6). If you did not take GCSEs, check what LSE accepts as equivalent for your qualification.
Subjects
A-level Mathematics is required and Further Mathematics is desirable, with no disadvantage where a school does not offer it. If you are still choosing subjects, give Mathematics the strongest footing your school allows, because the A* in Mathematics is specified separately from the other grades.
The TMUA
The TMUA is mandatory for this course. These are the rules LSE published for the 2027-entry cycle; they are the best guide to how the test will work for 2028 entry, which LSE has not yet confirmed.
For 2027 entry LSE accepted a sitting in October or January and said there was no advantage to either, while strongly encouraging the first sitting where possible because it gives the widest choice of time slots and locations.
LSE accepts only the result of your first sitting in an admissions cycle, even if you sit the test twice, so the first attempt is the one to prepare for.
LSE tells applicants to register and book a time well in advance of the test, and says registering to sit the test is separate from creating an account with the test provider.
Several UK universities use the TMUA, and a candidate applying to more than one needs to take the test only once. Each university sets its own requirement, so read each course page rather than assuming that dates or rules carry across.
Interview
LSE states that it does not interview applicants for any of its programmes, and that applicants cannot request an interview with the Admissions Selector. For this course, then, the UCAS application and the TMUA are the evidence LSE has, and any advice that treats an LSE Economics interview as part of the process should be approached with caution.
Planning for 2028 entry
Applying for 2028 entry means applying in 2027, under rules LSE has not yet published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means LSE published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means LSE has not yet published it.
The A* in Mathematics, the IB 7 in Mathematics, the contextual offers, the compulsory TMUA and the one-result rule are the best guide to what to prepare. LSE has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
LSE has not yet published these. Check LSE's course page and TMUA page, and the test provider's key dates, for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
Build the Mathematics record first, because the A* in Mathematics and the TMUA both depend on it. Decide whether Further Mathematics is available to you, and plan to take the first TMUA sitting rather than rely on the second.
Comparing courses
Applicants often compare LSE with other economics and mathematics courses. The comparison is only useful course by course. Cambridge's Economics BA, for example, also required the TMUA from every applicant in the 2027-entry cycle, but it set a higher minimum offer and added an interview. Read each course page for what it requires, and avoid carrying one university's rule over to another.
Support
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with LSE and is not an LSE-appointed agent or representative. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor work within one advisory plan that shapes course choice, written work and admissions tests. Support is tailored to the student, and no outcome is promised.
Questions
Yes. LSE states that the TMUA is mandatory for BSc Economics. That was LSE's rule for 2027 entry; LSE has not yet published its 2028-entry requirements.
For 2027 entry LSE accepted either the October or the January sitting, with no advantage to either, but strongly encouraged the first sitting where possible. LSE has not yet published its 2028-entry sittings.
No. LSE states that it does not interview applicants for any of its programmes, and applicants cannot request an interview.
Further Mathematics is desirable but not required. LSE says applicants are not disadvantaged where their schools do not offer it.
LSE publishes lower offers for eligible applicants: A*AB at A-level, or 38 points at IB, in the 2027-entry cycle. LSE decides eligibility, so check its guidance.
LSE has not yet published it. For 2027 entry the last date for full and equal consideration was 13 January 2027 at 6pm UK time. Check LSE's course page for the 2028-entry date when it appears.
Students and families
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their Mathematics and Further Mathematics, the intended year of entry and whether the TMUA has been considered. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.
