A four-year BSc, L2T1
Taught in the Centre for Language Studies with International Relations; LSE lists the full-time duration as four years.
Undergraduate · LSE International Relations and Chinese
LSE International Relations and Chinese: IR with Mandarin and Fudan
LSE's BSc International Relations and Chinese is a four-year joint degree taught with the Centre for Language Studies. It combines international relations with Mandarin and a particular emphasis on China's role in the international community, and includes study abroad at Fudan University in Shanghai. The decision for an applicant is whether to commit to a language and a country alongside the subject, rather than study International Relations on its own.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What LSE asks for in International Relations and Chinese
Taken from LSE's BSc International Relations and Chinese programme page and read on 1 November 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; LSE says there is no set subject combination and a modern-language GCSE is expected.
IB 38 with 766
The IB requirement is 38 points overall including 766 at higher level.
Mandarin from beginner level
The language element is designed for students from beginner level through to GCSE or A-level standard.
Two periods at Fudan University
LSE describes study abroad at Fudan University in Shanghai, with an intensive summer programme for beginners.
Official sources
Read on 1 November 2026 on LSE's BSc International Relations and Chinese 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
International relations, Mandarin and China
LSE says the programme combines theoretical and applied learning with a particular emphasis on China's role in the international community, and that students become proficient in Mandarin and learn to negotiate diplomatic relations in Chinese and other international settings. Students study 12 units plus LSE100, divide their time between International Relations and Mandarin, and spend two periods at Fudan University: an intensive summer programme for beginners and the third year abroad. The fourth year returns to LSE for a dissertation or options.
Is it the right degree?
International Relations and Chinese against the single-subject degree
LSE offers International Relations on its own. The differences are the language and the year abroad.
Choose International Relations and Chinese if
you want Mandarin and a year in Shanghai as part of the degree.
Choose BSc International Relations if
you want the subject without a language and an extra year. Avandy's LSE International Relations guide covers it.
Check your language starting point
LSE designs the language element for beginners up to GCSE or A-level, but not higher.
Entry rules
AAA, IB 38 and a modern-language GCSE
A-level applicants need AAA, with no set subject combination. IB applicants need 38 points overall including 766 at higher level. LSE also asks for a good set of GCSE grades, including at least grade B or 6 in English Language and Mathematics, and a modern-language GCSE at grade B or 6 or equivalent. 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 to learn Mandarin from the start or continue it?
The language element is designed for beginners through to GCSE or A-level level.
Are you ready for a four-year degree with time abroad?
LSE lists four years and two periods at Fudan University.
Do you have a modern-language GCSE?
LSE expects one at grade B or 6 or equivalent.
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 International Relations and Chinese require?
AAA at A level with no set subject combination, and a modern-language GCSE at grade B or 6, in LSE's wording for 2027 entry.
How long is the degree?
LSE lists home and overseas full-time study as four years.
Do I need Mandarin already?
No. The language element is designed for anyone from beginner level through to GCSE or A-level equivalent in Mandarin but not higher.
Where do students study abroad?
LSE describes periods at Fudan University in Shanghai.
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 International Relations and Chinese
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their essay-writing subjects, any Mandarin they already have and how this degree compares with single-subject International Relations, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.