A three-year BSc, LV21
Taught across the Government and International History departments, with 12 units plus LSE100.
Undergraduate · LSE History and Politics
LSE History and Politics: political ideas tested against historical change
LSE's BSc History and Politics is taught across the Departments of Government and International History. It examines the links between politics and historical and social change, with a wide choice of courses by region and period. Its entry standard is AAA, and there is no Mathematics requirement. The decision is whether you want a joint degree rather than Politics alone.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What LSE asks for in History and Politics
Taken from LSE's BSc History and Politics 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, with no set subject combination
The standard A-level requirement is AAA; the contextual offer is AAB.
IB 38 with 766
The IB requirement is 38 points overall, including 766 at higher level.
Two departments
LSE says the Government and International History departments are both world-renowned.
A dissertation option
In the final year one advanced course is assessed by a dissertation.
Official sources
Read on 31 October 2026 on LSE's BSc History and Politics programme page, which describes 2027 entry. LSE's general entry requirements, the fees pages 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
Politics and history in each other's company
LSE says students delve into political concepts and theories, compare political phenomena in different cultures and countries and address theoretical questions about the political landscape, past and present. A huge range of courses covers virtually every region and period, and students learn to analyse complex evidence from varied sources.
Is it the right degree?
History and Politics against Politics and international degrees
The history strand and the entry standard are the differences.
Choose History and Politics if
you want history as a full strand of your politics degree.
Choose Politics if
you want political science without the history strand. Avandy's LSE Politics guide covers it.
Compare Oxford History and Politics if
you are weighing universities. Avandy's Oxford History and Politics guide records its own rules.
Entry rules
AAA and a strong essay-writing profile
A-level applicants need AAA. IB applicants need 38 points overall including 766 at higher level. The page lists no additional test or interview. This page states no scores.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not LSE's.
Do you want history as half of your degree?
Two departments teach it.
Do you like analysing varied evidence?
That skill is stressed in the description.
Are essay subjects your strength?
LSE expects a broad mix of academic subjects.
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 BSc History and Politics require?
AAA at A level, in LSE's wording for 2027 entry.
Which departments teach it?
Government and International History.
Is there a dissertation?
In the final year, one advanced course is assessed by a dissertation.
How long is it?
Three years: 12 units plus LSE100.
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 History and Politics
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their essay-writing subjects, their interest in how politics and history interact and how this degree compares with Politics alone, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.