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Academics

Fields of Study: Social Sciences, Humanities

The summer London School of Economics (LSE) program offers an extensive range of courses taught by world-renowned faculty across the breadth of the social sciences. Courses range from core economics, accounting, and finance, to contemporary politics and management theory and practice. The program consists of regular undergraduate courses taught to the same standards by leading LSE faculty.

Unique study opportunities

  • Examine the politics of America as a world power from an international perspective.
  • Gain the tools to understand what it takes to be a leader across a variety of business models and organizations.
  • Analyze international law standards and current debates in human rights, justice, and freedom.

Language

Language of Instruction: English

Language Study: None

Courses and credit

REQUIREMENTS WHILE ABROAD

To successfully complete this program:

SESSION ONE:

  • One course for 5.5 quarter/3.7 semester UC units.
  • Take the course for a letter grade.
  • Take the final exam. 

SESSION ONE AND TWO and SESSION TWO AND THREE:

  • Two courses for 11 quarter/7.3 semester UC units.
  • Take all courses for a letter grade.
  • Take the final exam for both courses. 

CURRENT PROGRAM COURSES

The LSE Summer School offers some 90 courses across its three sessions. Courses are drawn from across the university, and are divided into the following subject areas:

Courses in Accounting, Finance, and Economics require strong mathematical skills. If, for example, a course requires calculus, you should be comfortable using it. For courses in Accounting and Finance, Economics, and Management, Level I courses will generally be lower division, while Level II and III courses will generally translate to upper-division UC coursework. For courses in International Relations, Government and Society, and Law, many Level I courses will also appear as upper-division UC coursework, as should Level II and III courses. UCEAP staff in London can help you determine if an LSE course will be an upper or lower-division course.

Catalogs and resources

  • LSE Summer School courses: View full course listings as well as information on readings, assessments, prerequisites (if any), and pre-course reading (which may be required for certain courses). ​
  • UCEAP Course Catalog: See a list of courses students have taken on this program. 
  • Campus Credit Abroad: Learn the types of credit (major, minor, general education, elective) students from your campus received at this location.

Academic culture

LSE Summer School courses combine lectures (three hours per day) and seminars (one and a half hour per day). Large group lectures are usually presented by an academic (the course leader or leaders), and are mainly a listening and note-taking exercise, as is the norm in the UK university system. You will be assigned into smaller groups with 15 to 18 students for 1.5-hour seminars, which normally take place in the afternoon. In other universities these sessions may be known as tutorials.

Due to the intensive nature of the program, you are expected to spend full days on campus and attend all lectures, which take place either in the morning or afternoon at the same time each day. Lectures are supplemented by small 1.5-hour classes, during the following afternoon or morning. These are an opportunity to work through problem sets or case studies, or present and discuss seminar papers. In addition, we recommend devoting 2-3 hours per day to self-guided study. Timetables are issued at the beginning of the program​.

There is more emphasis on writing at the London School of Economics than at UC. Significant emphasis is placed on literacy not only in the humanities and social sciences but also in the sciences. It is the norm that British students have excellent writing abilities, and marking down for poor writing, spelling, and grammar is common. Tip: Change your laptop setting to “English (UK)” and use the Spelling and Grammar function.

You may also encounter a different style of essay writing. British instructors often expect more outside (secondary) sources to be evident in essays than at UC. Strive to insert your essay into the critical discourse on the topic rather than expressing personal thoughts. Research your topics thoroughly and use that research in your essays. Clear, elegant, and simple writing is highly valued.

Grades

You will earn direct UC credit and grades for all coursework. Grades for all packages for this program are usually available early to mid-October. 

Tip: If you intend to put yourself on your campus degree list for graduation while on UCEAP, consult your campus advisors before departure about possible delays in the degree verification process.