A three-year BSc, FK84
Delivered by the Department of Geography and Environment, with 12 units over three years plus LSE100.
Undergraduate · LSE Environment and Development
LSE Environment and Sustainable Development: policy, not only science
LSE's BSc Environment and Sustainable Development asks how economic development and environmental protection can be reconciled, and explores it from a social sciences as well as a natural sciences perspective. It is taught in the Department of Geography and Environment, asks for AAA or 38 IB points with 766 at higher level and includes a second-year field trip, usually overseas. The decision for an applicant is whether a policy-and-analysis degree fits better than a Geography degree.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What LSE asks for in Environment and Sustainable Development
Taken from LSE's BSc Environment and Sustainable Development programme page and read on 31 October 2026. For a normal 2028-entry application, made in 2027, every requirement below is last verified for the previous cycle and may change; LSE's 2028-entry requirements and dates are awaiting publication.
AAA, or IB 38 with 766
The standard A-level requirement is AAA and the IB requirement is 38 points including 766 at higher level.
Social and natural sciences
LSE says the programme explores environmental and development issues from both perspectives.
A field trip
Students can take part in a field trip, usually overseas, in the second year.
A research option
The final year has geography and environment options that can include an independent research project.
Official sources
Read on 31 October 2026 on LSE's BSc Environment and Sustainable Development programme page, which describes 2027 entry. LSE's general entry requirements, the fees pages, the course lists and the 2028-entry values were not read, and the page lists no additional admissions test or interview so none is stated and are not stated.
The degree
Development and environment studied together
LSE says students examine the nature, drivers and politics of sustainable and unsustainable development, the relationship between environmental change and human wellbeing, and develop skills for environment and development policy and analysis. The first year has two courses on the natural environment, global environmental change and sustainable development and one on contemporary geographical issues; the final year takes options worth four units. This guide did not read the course lists.
Is it the right degree?
Environment and Sustainable Development or Geography
LSE offers neighbouring degrees. Avandy's comparison is general.
Choose this degree if
you want environmental policy and development analysed through social sciences as well as natural sciences.
Choose Geography if
you want a broader geographical degree. Avandy's LSE Geography guide covers it.
Choose the version with Economics if
you want quantitative economics built in. Avandy's LSE Environment and Sustainable Development with Economics guide covers it.
Entry rules
AAA and a broad mix
The standard A-level requirement is AAA and the IB requirement is 38 points including 766 at higher level. LSE says a broad mix of traditional academic subjects is the best preparation and that Mathematics, Further Mathematics and one other subject may be considered less competitive than a broader mix. This page states no test scores.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not LSE's.
Do you want policy and analysis rather than field science?
LSE frames the programme around environment and development policy.
Is a field trip attractive?
It is usually overseas, in the second year.
Which side of the sciences interests you?
The programme draws on both social and natural sciences.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
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.
Grades, subject requirements and the subject-mix guidance: last verified for 2027 entry
These are the best guide to what to prepare. LSE has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
The UCAS deadline and the 2028-entry requirements: awaiting publication for 2028 entry
Check LSE's programme page for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
What to do now
Confirm the required subjects, read the programme's course structure and plan your preparation around it.
Support
Independent support with course choice and preparation
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with the London School of Economics and Political Science or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here means course-fit advice, subject mentoring and ethical preparation; Avandy gives no scores or probabilities and does not write applications. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
What does LSE Environment and Sustainable Development require?
AAA at A level, or IB 38 points including 766 at higher level, in LSE's wording for 2027 entry.
Is there a field trip?
LSE says students can take part in a field trip, usually overseas, in the second year.
Is there a research project?
The final-year options can include an independent research project (dissertation).
Which department teaches it?
The Department of Geography and Environment.
Is there an admissions test or interview?
The page lists none, so this guide states none.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are LSE's wording for the 2027 application cycle. Check the programme page again when LSE publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about LSE Environment and Sustainable Development
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their interest in environmental policy, their subject mix and how this degree compares with Geography, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.