Introduction
Landing a scholarship to study political science at LSE can change your career. LSE sits at the intersection of academics and public life — London’s policymaking networks, international organizations and think tanks feed directly into the student experience. But London is expensive, and global competition is fierce. That’s why fully funded scholarships matter: they remove the financial barrier and let you focus on study, research and networking.
This guide walks you through everything:
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What LSE offers in 2025 for Political Science applicants (including a major LSE Taught Master’s Scholarship with a clear cash value).
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How the No-IELTS option works in practice and what substitutes LSE accepts.
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A step-by-step application roadmap for first-time applicants from Africa and Asia.
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Comparisons, budgeting examples, SOP structure, common mistakes, FAQs, real-world examples and a publisher-friendly breakdown showing AdSense policy compliance.
Read this as a practical playbook: pick the timeline that fits your intake and start checking boxes. The sooner you begin collecting documents (transcripts, MOI letters, references), the better your chance.
Overview — what LSE scholarships look like for political science in 2025
LSE offers several routes to funding for postgraduate students. Two LSE pages are especially important to bookmark:
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the Taught Master’s Scholarship for International Students (2025/26) — this is a named LSE award for high-calibre international applicants (value and eligibility spelled out on the page).
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the English Language Requirements page — this explains tests accepted, minimum scores, and exemptions (including how previous degrees taught in English are handled).
Key point from the 2025 scholarship announcement: LSE’s Taught Master’s Scholarship for International Students includes one award valued at £41,666 towards tuition fees and living costs — a concrete example of a substantial, fully funded package that a political science candidate might win. That’s an unusually specific, high-value award for a single recipient and shows the scale of what LSE can provide in some rounds.
Beyond that one headline award, LSE offers:
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LSE Master’s Awards (LMAs) and the Graduate Support Scheme (GSS) — these provide a portfolio of funding opportunities, including partial or full tuition support for taught master’s students.
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Departmental funds and studentships in the Department of Government and related programmes — these are sometimes smaller but highly targeted.
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External scholarships (Chevening, Commonwealth, national government funds, foundation awards) that can be combined with LSE offers in many cases.
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Country-based awards and partnerships (LSE lists country-specific schemes on its fees & funding pages).
Because different awards serve different aims (tuition vs tuition + maintenance vs research support), plan to combine options if you need full coverage of living costs.
Why Fully Funded LSE Political Science Scholarships 2025 Matter
For students from Africa and Asia, the LSE scholarship opportunity matters for four practical reasons:
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Financial access — a full award removes the two biggest costs: tuition and London living expenses. One award in 2025 was explicitly worth £41,666 toward tuition and living costs, which is near full coverage for a one-year master’s plus a sensible living buffer.
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Credibility and networks — an LSE degree opens doors to international organizations, think tanks, and governments; this matters a lot when you aim to influence policy at home.
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Policy-relevant training — LSE political science programmes emphasize empirical methods and policy translation, skills that are directly employable in regional development, governance, diplomacy and NGOs.
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IELTS flexibility — LSE’s English policy allows well-documented alternatives to formal tests for some applicants (e.g., degrees taught in English or presessional LSE assessments), reducing a common barrier for applicants in regions where tests are costly or unavailable.
Key Importance — what “no IELTS” actually means at LSE
“No IELTS” is shorthand for a few real options — NOT an unconditional pass to ignore English proof. The LSE policy is nuanced and should be read carefully. Main pathways to meet LSE’s English requirement without IELTS include:
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Medium-of-Instruction (MOI) evidence: if you completed an undergraduate (≥3 years) or postgraduate degree (≥1 year) in a majority English-speaking country or your degree was taught and assessed in English, LSE may accept that instead of an IELTS score. You will usually need an official letter from your university registrar confirming the language of instruction.
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Alternative tests: LSE accepts TOEFL, PTE Academic (in-person), Cambridge C1/C2, Trinity ISE and TOEFL iBT scores at specified thresholds. It also accepts LSE Language Centre Presessional programmes as a route.
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Conditional offers: if you apply without a test, LSE can still consider your application; an offer may be conditional on later proof of the required score. The policy explicitly encourages applicants to submit tests where possible, but allows other routes if tests are impractical.
Important: LSE distinguishes by programme (some MPhil/PhD and high-demand masters require higher band scores), and degrees taken at “overseas campuses” of English institutions or shorter foreign programmes may not satisfy the exemption. Always check the English page for your specific programme’s requirement.
Key Insights — (what winning applicants do differently)
From reviewing LSE official guidance and common practice, top applicants do several things consistently:
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Document English early: secure an MOI letter if you were taught in English; that avoids last-minute scramble for test bookings. LSE’s admissions portal gives you space to declare your language evidence and upload documents.
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Apply to multiple funding streams: combine LSE central scholarships (GSS, LMAs) with departmental awards and external funding (home-country funds, Chevening, Commonwealth). Diversify rather than relying on a single “full” scholarship.
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Show policy impact: LSE values applicants who articulate a clear plan to use training for public benefit — describe concrete policy projects you will deliver.
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Contact faculty where relevant: for MPhil/PhD or research-led masters, a supervisor’s informal support strengthens departmental funding cases.
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Use referees strategically: ask referees to comment not only on academic ability but on English communication, leadership, and policy relevance if you rely on a MOI instead of IELTS.
Benefits — what a fully funded LSE year provides (practical details)
A fully funded award that covers tuition and living costs gives you:
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Peace to study — no need to juggle multiple part-time jobs (visa rules in the UK still allow part-time work, but financial help means you can prioritise research and internships).
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Access to LSE facilities — library, LSE IDEAS, LSE Law/European Institute, policy seminars and visiting fellows.
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Money for conferences and data collection — some scholarships include small discretionary funds for research travel or conference attendance. If not, LSE departments sometimes offer travel grants.
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Visa support — scholarship offers and confirmation of funding simplify the immigration/visa stages.
Budget example (illustrative, London 2025):
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Scholarship cash value (example award): £41,666 total (tied to tuition + living).
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Typical monthly living costs (rent + food + transport): £900–£1,600 (rent varies widely by choice of neighbourhood and accommodation type).
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If the award covers tuition (~£20,000–£30,000 for many LSE masters) the remaining amount can be allocated to living and a small research fund.
Comparison table — funding routes & IELTS implications
| Funding Route | Typical Coverage | Monthly Stipend? | IELTS / English test | Practical fit for Africa / Asia applicants |
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| LSE Taught Master’s Scholarship (2025 example) | £41,666 toward tuition & living (one award that year). | Implicit in award (covers living costs) | LSE accepts MOI / TOEFL / PTE / Cambridge tests; conditional offers possible. | Good if you can demonstrate English instruction history or strong profile. |
| LSE Graduate Support Scheme (GSS) / LMAs | Partial tuition support & small bursaries | Varies | Standard LSE rules — tests or MOI | Useful as supplement to external funding. |
| External scholarships (Chevening, Commonwealth, national) | Tuition + monthly living stipend (often) | Yes — monthly allowance included (varies by scheme) | Most external schemes expect strong English evidence — many accept MOI or tests; check each program | Highly relevant — Chevening often funds students from Africa & Asia. |
| Departmental Studentships / Research Grants | May fund tuition + small stipend | Sometimes | Varies | Best for research-led projects and PhD candidates. |
Use the table to plan a combined approach: aim for LSE central + one external or departmental source to reach full coverage.
Step-by-step application guide (for beginners — Africa & Asia focus)
This timeline assumes you intend to start in September 2025. Adjust deadlines if your program has different intake months.
Step 1 — Nine to twelve months before intake (NOW)
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Choose the LSE programme you want (MSc in Political Science, International Relations, Comparative Politics, MPhil/PhD in Government). Read the programme page.
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Check LSE’s Taught Master’s Scholarship eligibility and whether your country is prioritized (the 2025 announcement had specific regional residency notes).
Step 2 — Six to nine months before intake
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Request official transcripts and degree certificates (certified translations where necessary).
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If you studied in English, request a Medium-of-Instruction letter from your registrar that explicitly states the language of teaching and assessment (include dates and programme title). LSE emphasises clear documentary evidence.
Step 3 — Four to six months before intake
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Draft your Statement of Purpose (SOP) — brief, tightly focused on policy impact and LSE fit (SOP structure below).
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Update your CV highlighting leadership, policy internships, publications, and measurable outcomes.
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Contact referees and provide a short briefing packet (CV + SOP draft + one page summary of your goals).
Step 4 — Two to four months before intake
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Complete LSE application: select the programme and upload documents. When you apply, complete the Graduate Financial Support (GFS) form to be considered for central scholarships (GFS also allows LSE to assess you for multiple awards).
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Simultaneously apply to external funding you qualify for (Chevening, Commonwealth, national funds) — note their separate deadlines.
Step 5 — After application
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Prepare for interviews (if shortlisted): practice crisp explanations of your research interests, policy impact plan, and why LSE specifically.
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If you applied without a test, be ready to submit later evidence or attend LSE Language Centre presessional courses if required.
Step 6 — Offer stage & visa
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When you receive a scholarship offer, read the terms (what’s covered, payment timing, any conditions). LSE typically notifies successful GFS applicants between May and July for September entry.
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Accept the offer and follow LSE guidance to apply for your Tier 4 / Student visa (confirmation of funding simplifies the visa process).
Real-world examples (anonymized scenarios)
These examples are illustrative — but realistic — and show how students from Africa and Asia approach LSE scholarships.
Example A — Amina (Kenya), MSc Comparative Politics
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Background: First-class BA in Political Science (English-medium university), internship at a Nairobi policy institute.
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Route: Submitted LSE application with MOI letter and two referees; applied for LSE GSS and national scholarship from a Kenyan foundation.
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Result: Received a partial LSE award + national scholarship that together covered tuition and basic living costs.
Example B — Ravi (India), MSc International Relations
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Background: Excellent honours degree, conference presentations in English and publications.
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Route: Took TOEFL (to meet a departmental higher requirement), supplemented with supervisor contact in London; applied for Chevening in parallel.
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Result: Awarded Chevening (covering tuition + monthly stipend), used LSE departmental funding for conference travel.
Example C — Laila (Bangladesh), MPhil/PhD Government
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Background: Master’s taught in English, several co-authored research papers.
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Route: Used MOI letter + publication PDF to demonstrate academic English. Department invited her to discuss a research project; she gained a departmental studentship (partial stipend) and small LSE bursary.
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Result: Combined funding supported her PhD year 1 and data collection expenses.
Takeaway: successful applicants combine proof of English (MOI or test), clear policy-oriented research goals, and multiple funding routes.
Your Statement of Purpose — a simple, strong structure
A high-impact SOP for LSE political science (aim: 700–900 words):
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Opening (2 lines): Who you are, your current degree, and the exact LSE programme you apply to.
Example: “I am [Name], a graduate of [University] with a BA (Hons) in Political Science (First Class). I am applying for the MSc in Comparative Politics at LSE to research decentralization and service delivery in West Africa.” -
Academic & professional background (1 paragraph): Key projects or thesis, methods you used, any publications.
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Research focus & rationale (2 paragraphs): The question you will answer, why it matters for policy in your region, and the methodology you will use. Be concrete about data, fieldwork or case studies.
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Why LSE (1 paragraph): Name faculty, centres (e.g., LSE IDEAS), datasets, or methods training that make LSE the best place for you. Specificity proves you’ve done your homework.
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Impact & leadership plan (1 paragraph): How will you apply your degree in 3–5 years (policy posts, training, NGO work)? Mention measurable outputs (policy brief, training 50 local officials, pilot program).
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Closing (2 lines): Express readiness and gratitude.
Pro tip: Make sure your SOP aligns with answers on scholarship forms (leadership, impact, financial need if asked). Consistency across documents helps selection panels.
Common Mistakes — and how to avoid them
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Mistake: Applying late or missing GFS — LSE notifies scholarship winners in May–July; complete the Graduate Financial Support form with your application as early as possible.
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Mistake: Weak language evidence — don’t assume your undergrad in English automatically grants a waiver without MOI; secure the official MOI letter in time.
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Mistake: Generic SOP — be specific about topics, methods and LSE faculty.
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Mistake: Relying on a single funding source — combine internal LSE options with external scholarships where possible.
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Mistake: Vague referees — ask academic referees who can speak to your research independence and academic English (if you skip IELTS).
FAQs (concise but useful)
Q: Is LSE offering fully funded Political Science scholarships for 2025?
A: Yes — LSE announced a Taught Master’s Scholarship for 2025/26 that included an award worth £41,666 toward tuition and living costs (one award that year). LSE also runs other awards and country-based schemes; check the Graduate fees & funding pages. LSE
Q: Can I apply without IELTS?
A: LSE accepts alternatives: if your previous degree was taught in English, you can often provide a Medium-of-Instruction letter. LSE also accepts TOEFL, PTE, Cambridge tests and has presessional options — but you must confirm the route for your specific programme. LSE
Q: When are scholarship decisions communicated?
A: LSE notes successful GFS applicants are typically notified during May, June and July for September entry.
Q: Do LSE scholarships include monthly stipends?
A: Some awards include maintenance support as part of the package (see the £41,666 example that explicitly covers tuition and living costs). Many scholarships, however, are tuition-only; always check the award terms.
Q: What if I can’t take a test due to local closures or cost?
A: LSE allows alternative routes (MOI, LSE Language Centre assessments, or extenuating circumstances forms) but these are assessed case-by-case — contact the LSE admissions team early.
Final checklist — what to do in the next 30 days
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Choose your exact LSE programme and read the programme page carefully.
- Request an official MOI letter from your registrar today if you studied in English.
- Draft an SOP and 1-page research summary tied to specific LSE research centres.
- Ask two referees for letters and give them a one-page briefing.
- Complete the LSE application and the Graduate Financial Support (GFS) form before the scholarship deadline.
Conclusion — recap, call to action and quote
Recap: LSE’s 2025 scholarship landscape includes high-value awards (for example, an award worth £41,666 toward tuition and living costs) and a flexible English policy that lets many applicants avoid IELTS if they provide legitimate alternatives (MOI, presessional courses or accepted test alternatives). The path to success is practical: secure documentary proof of English early, apply to multiple funding streams, demonstrate policy impact, and tailor your SOP to LSE’s strengths.
Call to action: If you’re serious about LSE in 2025, start today. Request that MOI letter from your university, draft the SOP, and complete the LSE Graduate Financial Support form when you submit your application. Don’t wait for the test centre — take the documentation route if you qualify.
“Access to education unlocks influence — scholarships are the key, but preparation turns that key.”
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