How to get into LSE for Accounting and/or Finance BSc

Not only is it competitive to gain a place at LSE, but the Finance course is especially difficult to get into. In 2025, LSE’s Admissions Statistical Report revealed that the acceptance rate for its Accounting and Finance BSc is just 6.1% and 5% for Finance BSc.

If you’d like to get into LSE for Finance or you’re just curious about what it takes to get into one of the most globally acclaimed universities in the UK, then read on. This guide contains everything you need to know – from course entry requirements to insider tips on how to get into Finance at LSE, or to study Accounting as a specific course.

The Profs’ Finance Tutors have first-hand experience with the admissions process and what is required to succeed at each stage. With expert support tailored to any course, we’ve helped hundreds of students secure offers. In fact, 85% of our LSE applicants get into LSE, as a result of leveraging our 10 years of insider knowledge. Our founder is even an LSE alumnus, so you’re learning from those who’ve done it.

What is the Finance course at LSE like?

Why should I study Finance at LSE?

LSE consistently ranks highly for Finance in the UK and worldwide. According to the QS World University Rankings, LSE is frequently listed in the top 10 for economics and finance.

The Department of Finance at LSE is known for its rigorous curriculum and world-class faculty. Academic study is complemented by events, societies, and research seminars.

Students benefit from access to:

• The LSE Library, one of the largest social science libraries in the world.
• Bloomberg terminals and financial databases for hands-on learning with real-time data.
• Leading research centres like the Financial Markets Group and Systemic Risk Centre, which host regular seminars and conferences.

These resources not only build your knowledge, but also sharpen your mind and analytical skills.

Beyond the classroom, LSE’s student body is highly active, with opportunities to join finance-related groups such as:

• LSE Finance Society.
• LSE Investment Society.
• The LSE SU Alternative Investments Conference – the world’s largest student-run hedge fund event.

These platforms give students the chance to network, exchange ideas, and connect with leaders in the finance industry and private equity sector throughout their undergraduate education.

A great way to check out everything for yourself is to attend one of LSE’s open days.

To stand out in your application for this competitive academic degree, work with The Profs’ Undergraduate Admissions Tutors. Through one-to-one sessions, our LSE experts will assess your strengths and weaknesses, build a tailored strategy, and prepare you for every stage of the admissions process.

What is the Finance course like at LSE?

There are two undergraduate Finance courses available at LSE:

BSc Finance

This programme offers an in-depth study of finance, covering financial techniques, financial decision-making, risk management, and the behaviour of financial markets. The curriculum develops analytical thinking and encourages students to evaluate financial issues from multiple perspectives.

LSE’s Finance course is designed to prepare students for a wide range of careers, including:

• Investment banking.
• Sales and trading.
• Investment management.
• Management consulting and start-ups.
• Research and academia.

BSc Accounting and Finance

 The Accounting and Finance programme at LSE focuses on building core financial knowledge while examining how institutions and organisations handle calculation, reporting, and evaluation. It covers:

• Interdependencies between accounting and accountability
• Financial management and risk
• Performance management and sustainability
• Governance and regulation
• Policymaking and change. 

The programme explores the significant roles accounting and finance play in societies, economies, institutions, markets, organisations, and individual behaviours. This interdisciplinary approach ensures that graduates are highly sought-after in fields such as professional accountancy, investment banking and analysis, management consulting, and financial management.

Both courses equip students with strong quantitative skills and financial knowledge. LSE takes advantage of its location in central London, giving students access to the city’s financial districts and valuable links to practitioners, regulators, and policymakers.

The Finance course at LSE is highly competitive, but you don’t have to tackle the application process alone. Connect with The Profs’ expert tutors for London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) students. Our award-winning client success team (“Best Tuition Delivery to Private Clients”, NTA 2023) will personally match you with the perfect tutor.

What does LSE look for in its Finance applicants?

When considering applicants for its Finance programme, LSE looks for students with strong analytical, quantitative, and critical thinking abilities. These skills will be further developed and honed throughout the course and can be applied to a range of career paths, including roles in investment banking, financial analysis, risk management, consulting, and corporate finance.

What are the general entry requirements for the programme?

As LSE is one of the most competitive universities in the world, the entry requirements to study Finance are high. 

If you’re considering the London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), take a look at the table below. It details the entry requirements for both of LSE’s undergraduate Finance courses:

Finance BSc Entry Requirements: A-Levels, IB Diplomas & GCSEs

Accounting and Finance BSc Entry Requirements: A-Levels, IB Diplomas & GCSEs

Please note: For both courses, you need to be proficient in English, so make sure you acquire the correct certification if English is not your first language. 

Dreaming of studying Finance at LSE and want to secure top grades? The Profs’ GCSE Tutors, A-Level Tutors, and IB Tutors can help you exceed expectations with lessons tailored to coursework or final exams for this competitive course. All of our tutors have at least two years of tutoring experience, and as of 2024, 98% hold postgraduate qualifications.

A-Level subject combinations for LSE Accounting and/or Finance

To apply for Accounting and Finance or the Finance BSc at LSE, you’ll need a strong academic foundation. LSE considers Maths essential at A level or IB Higher Level. A-level (United Kingdom) students aiming for the Finance BSc should achieve an A* in Maths or Further Maths. For the Accounting and Finance BSc, an A in Maths is required.

While LSE prefers applicants who have studied Further Maths for the Finance BSc, it makes clear that you won’t be penalised if your school doesn’t offer it. Both Finance courses accept Further Maths as one of your three A levels.

LSE encourages a broad mix of traditional subjects for both courses. Although having studied Accounting can help, LSE does not require it. The university says: “We’re looking for subject combinations that demonstrate your analytical and writing abilities.”

To strengthen your application, aim to include one A level or IB Higher Level in:

• Economics
• Physics
• History
• Chemistry
• Government and Politics

If your A-levels include only Maths and Further Maths, LSE recommends adding an essay-based subject to balance your profile, especially when applying to the Accounting and Finance course.

What admissions tests are there?

Most undergraduate courses at LSE do not require an admissions test.

However, if you come from a non-traditional educational background, you may be invited to take the Undergraduate Admissions Assessment (UGAA). This helps LSE decide whether to offer you a place.

How hard is it to get into Finance at LSE?

Applying for Finance at LSE is no easy feat.

If you’re thinking about applying to LSE, take a look at the table below to get an idea of the competitiveness surrounding this undergraduate degree:

The table is based on the 2024-2025 cycle.

The Profs’ Undergraduate Admissions Tutors can help maximise your chances of getting into LSE to study Finance. Thanks to our network of experienced tutors, many of whom are LSE graduates and ex-admissions officers themselves, we have the very latest and best knowledge on what LSE is looking for in their Finance applications.

What are the fees and funding for Finance at LSE?

The tuition fees in the United Kingdom depend on your fee status — that is, whether you’re classified as a national student (UK) or an overseas student. This classification affects the amount you’ll need to pay in tuition payments each year.

Below is a breakdown of the annual tuition fees for students starting the BSc Finance or BSc Accounting and Finance programmes at LSE for the academic year 2025/26:

You can find out more information about what fees you will pay on LSE’s page for 2025-2026 undergraduate fees. You can also use LSE’s fees and funding page to see the funding options available to you.

4 tips on how to get into Finance at LSE

1. Prepare thoroughly for each stage of the admissions process

When applying to study Finance at LSE, there are many stages of the admissions process to consider. You should prepare for each one thoroughly if you’re set on being offered a place.

Your grades 

Preparation for your LSE application starts from secondary school. Excellent A level grades will put you in good stead to study Finance at LSE, so you should be aiming for AAA-A*AA  as a minimum. Don’t overlook your GCSEs either. Scoring at least a 6 (B) in English and strong results in Maths can also make a difference. At The Profs, we have expert GCSE Tutors and A-Level Tutors  ready to help you attain your target grades. We’ll ensure you feel confident and supported in achieving the results that matter most.

Your UCAS application 

The first official stage of your LSE application is completing your UCAS application online. As well as your grades, this includes your personal statement. This is the first chance you’ll get to showcase your suitability for Finance at LSE and prove that you are interested and committed to the subject areas. Our Personal Statement Tutors will work with you to build a standout application, helping you clearly communicate your goals, achievements, and enthusiasm for the course.

2. Show evidence of your love for Finance

With such a low success rate, it’s important that you do everything you can to make your application stand out from the crowd. Your academic ability might get you on the shortlist, but it’s not what secures your place. LSE particularly looks for applicants with academic ability, potential, and genuine enthusiasm for Finance. There are many ways you can show this, such as:

Read widely beyond your school syllabus

Self-learning demonstrates a desire to learn about Finance at a higher level. Reading about Finance will allow you to draw from a wider bank of knowledge than your standard curriculum. This should demonstrate excellent capability and genuine interest in Finance, which will help you to stand out. Try to delve into something specific and niche e.g. international taxation or regret theory within behavioural finance.

Better yet, research your specific department, and discuss how you would contribute to their existing published research or accomplishments. If you really want to impress LSE, you could study the first 2-3 weeks of a 1st-year module for your chosen course and talk about this in your application to show that you are ahead of the competition.

Our Undergraduate Tutors can help you to understand where the ‘sweet spots’ are and what to read to stand out in your application for LSE’s BSc Accounting and Finance program. Reading as extensively about your subject as possible will help to prove that you’re proactive and engaged and that, most importantly, you would make an outstanding LSE student.

Take on relevant extracurricular activities

With the competition so high, academic excellence is not enough. Stand out by showing initiative and interest beyond your curriculum. For LSE Finance, this could look like being part of your school’s entrepreneurship, charity fundraising events, taking a quantitative course at summer school, or even being a cashier at your local supermarket. Maybe you’ve got a blog on tax evasion cases within the media that you’d like to reference during your interview. It’s also a good idea to express an interest in joining or leading one of LSE’s relevant societies e.g. Accounting, Organisations and Institutions.

Find relevant work experience

Relevant work experience will help you to demonstrate your ambitions and genuine fascination for Finance, as well as your commitment to it. Show that you have the X factor by demonstrating an entrepreneurial spirit. Being able to say that you started your own business, even if it was a small side hustle, will give you an edge.

If you know someone who works at a bank, in stocks, accounting, or something else relevant, ask them if you might be able to help out or shadow for a week or two. It’s great to show you’ve seen finance in practice.

Even if you don’t know anyone, have a look online for local opportunities and reach out. There are lots of quantitative internships available at renowned financial institutions, such as JP Morgan and KPMG.

Consider completing extra qualifications

If you have dropped a few grades in core subjects, such as Maths, it is important to bolster your academic record in other ways during your application, such as skills you demonstrated during your work experience or additional achievements. For example, you might consider taking the TMUA, MOOCs, or UK Maths Challenge to demonstrate your mathematical ability and bolster your application.

3. Have a 5-year plan

Another factor that can set you apart from other applicants is having a 5-year plan – LSE in particular really values forward-thinking students with ambition. You don’t necessarily have to stick to your plan – in fact, it is expected that your interests and ambitions change as your knowledge and experience grow. Having a plan is simply a great way of demonstrating to LSE that you are committed to the subject and that you are motivated to succeed at your degree, and thus would be a valuable LSE student.

The first step to having a plan is to develop an understanding of the industries a Finance degree can lead to and the specific areas you can specialise in. Make sure you outline your future intentions with an LSE Finance degree, whether that includes embarking on a PhD in Finance, working as a financial analyst, or investment banker, or pursuing roles in corporate finance. However, you need to be specific about your goal title and company.

It is good to show your goal as well as prove your motivation to show you are a forward-thinking candidate who is serious about your career. Relating your areas of study, activities and personal passions back to potential careers is essential to presenting a targeted, future-focused candidate profile in just a few sentences.

4. Seek help from an expert undergraduate admissions tutor

If you’ve set your sights on LSE, it’s important to understand just how competitive it is. Meeting the entry requirements for Finance is only the first step; it doesn’t guarantee you an interview. To stand out, you’ll need more.

Yu must perform well across several stages, and many students fall short during the final admissions hurdle. Unfortunately, many schools aren’t equipped to provide the specialist guidance needed to gain places at top UK universities often due to a lack of experience, time, or resources.

That’s where we come in. The Profs’ Undergraduate Admissions Tutors bring years of proven success supporting students through their university journey. We help students:

• Build a strong academic profile.
• Tailor their application to LSE.
• Excel in assessments and interviews.
• Gain the independent study skills and knowledge needed to succeed in a Finance degree at a leading UK university.

In fact, 85% of our students who apply to LSE receive an offer! Contact us today to get into your dream university and achieve life-changing success.