A three-year BSc, LL42
Delivered by the Department of Social Policy; LSE says it is a major/minor programme with politics as the minor component.
Undergraduate · LSE Social and Public Policy with Politics
LSE Social and Public Policy with Politics: policy first, political analysis beside it
The degree is titled International Social and Public Policy with Politics: social policy is the major and politics the minor, taught across the Department of Social Policy and government courses. It asks for AAB at A level, a lower standard than the Economics variant, and sets no required subject. The decision for an applicant is whether political theory and institutions should sit beside social policy, and how that compares with the plain degree or the version with Economics.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What LSE asks for in International Social and Public Policy with Politics
Taken from LSE's BSc International Social and Public Policy with Politics 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.
AAB at A level, or IB 37
The A-level standard is AAB and the contextual offer ABB. The IB standard is 37 points with 666 at higher level; the contextual offer is 36 points with 665.
No set subject combination
At least two traditional academic subjects are preferred, and LSE considers your combination as well as your grades.
Political science and theory in year one
Introduction to Political Science and Introduction to Political Theory sit beside two social policy courses and LSE100.
A third-year dissertation
The degree culminates in independent research on a theme you choose.
Official sources
Read on 1 November 2026 on LSE's BSc International Social and Public Policy with 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
Social policy with politics as the minor
LSE says the programme examines the principles behind current and past social policies and how governments, politicians, organisations and voters propose, implement and sometimes block them. It draws on social, political, demographic and economic perspectives. Year one combines two social policy courses with Introduction to Political Science and Introduction to Political Theory; later years add comparative and international social policy, research methods, government options and a dissertation. The preliminary readings the page lists span social policy, political science, political thought and political institutions.
Is it the right degree?
With Politics beside the plain degree and the Economics variant
The three share a department and a focus on social policy; they differ in the minor component.
Choose the version with Politics if
you want political theory, institutions and analysis built in to the study of policy.
Choose the plain degree if
you want a broader mix of options with no minor. Avandy's LSE International Social and Public Policy guide covers it.
Choose the version with Economics if
you want economic analysis built in. Avandy's LSE International Social and Public Policy with Economics guide covers it.
Entry rules
AAB, no named subject and no test
The A-level standard is AAB and the contextual offer is ABB. LSE says there is no set subject combination, although at least two traditional academic subjects are preferred, and it asks for GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade B (6) or higher. The IB standard is 37 points overall with 666 at higher level; the contextual offer is 36 points with 665. The page lists no additional test or interview. This page states no scores or probabilities.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not LSE's.
Is political analysis a tool for policy, or the goal?
Politics is the minor component here; Avandy's LSE Politics guide covers a politics-led degree.
Do you want social policy first?
It is the major, delivered by the Department of Social Policy.
Is a broad subject mix realistic for you?
LSE prefers at least two traditional 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 International Social and Public Policy with Politics require?
AAB at A level, or 37 IB points with 666 at higher level, in LSE's wording for 2027 entry.
What is the programme's official title?
BSc International Social and Public Policy with Politics, UCAS code LL42, in LSE's page title.
Which subject is the major?
Social policy; LSE says politics is the minor component.
Are there required A-level subjects?
LSE says there is no set subject combination, although at least two traditional academic subjects are preferred.
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 Social and Public Policy with Politics
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their subject mix, their interest in political institutions and how this degree compares with the plain social policy degree and the Economics variant, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.