The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) accepts TOEFL iBT for English language proficiency. LSE operates a two-tier system — a standard requirement for most programmes and a higher requirement for select language-intensive courses.
Does LSE Accept TOEFL?
Yes. LSE accepts TOEFL iBT alongside IELTS Academic. Both tests are treated equally.
TOEFL MyBest: LSE does not accept TOEFL MyBest. A score from a single valid sitting is required.
LSE TOEFL Requirement Levels
| LSE Level | Min TOEFL | Min Writing | Min Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 92 | 24 | 20 |
| Higher | 107 | 25 | 22 |
Most LSE programmes use the Standard level (TOEFL 92, Writing 24, Speaking 20). Select programmes use the Higher level (TOEFL 107, Writing 25, Speaking 22).
LSE TOEFL Requirements — Undergraduate
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum TOEFL | 92 iBT |
| Per-section minimum | Writing 24, Speaking 20 |
| Competitive score | 104–120 |
LSE TOEFL Requirements — Graduate
Standard-Requirement Programmes (TOEFL 92)
Most LSE graduate programmes require TOEFL 92:
| Department | Programmes |
|---|---|
| Department of Economics | MSc Economics, MSc Econometrics, PhD Economics |
| Government and International Relations | MSc Political Science, MSc IR, MSc Global Politics, MSc Public Policy |
| Sociology | MSc Sociology, MSc Race and Post-colonial Studies |
| Social Psychology | MSc Organisational Psychology, MSc Social Psychology |
| Statistics and Data Science | MSc Statistics, MSc Data Science |
| Geography and Environment | MSc Environment and Development, MSc Real Estate |
For all Standard programmes: TOEFL 92 iBT minimum, Writing 24, Speaking 20.
Higher-Requirement Programmes (TOEFL 107)
The following LSE programmes require TOEFL 107 iBT, Writing 25, Speaking 22:
| Programme | Notes |
|---|---|
| MSc Media and Communications | Writing-intensive communications analysis |
| MSc Global Media and Communications (USC joint) | Same higher requirement |
| Select LLM specialisations | Language-intensive legal tracks |
LSE Law School (LLM)
| Programme | Min TOEFL | Min Per-Section | Competitive Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLM (standard) | 92 | Writing 24, Speaking 20 | 104–120 |
| LLM (select specialisations) | 107 | Writing 25, Speaking 22 | 107–120 |
| MPhil/PhD in Law | 92 | Writing 24, Speaking 20 | 104–120 |
LSE TOEFL — Summary Table
| Programme Area | Min TOEFL | Min Writing | Min Speaking | Competitive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 92 | 24 | 20 | 104–120 |
| Graduate (standard programmes) | 92 | 24 | 20 | 104–115 |
| LSE Law (LLM, standard) | 92 | 24 | 20 | 104–120 |
| Media and Communications MSc | 107 | 25 | 22 | 107–120 |
| Select LLM specialisations | 107 | 25 | 22 | 107–120 |
| PhD (all disciplines) | 92 | 24 | 20 | 104–120 |
Per-Section Strategy for LSE TOEFL
Writing (target 24–30)
LSE's standard requirement specifies Writing 24 as a per-section minimum. For Higher-requirement programmes, Writing 25 is the floor. A Writing score below 24 will block your application regardless of overall score.
Target: Writing 24 (standard); Writing 25 (Higher programmes); Writing 26+ for competitive applications.
Speaking (target 20–30)
LSE's standard requires Speaking 20 — the most accessible per-section floor among UK top universities. However, LSE's seminar culture requires confident verbal participation. Competitive applicants score Speaking 24+.
Reading and Listening (target 24–30)
No formal per-section floor for Reading and Listening below the overall minimum. Scores below 22 would be a concern in a competitive application.
TOEFL vs. IELTS at LSE
| LSE Level | TOEFL iBT | IELTS Academic |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 92, Writing 24, Speaking 20 | 7.0, no skill below 6.5 |
| Higher | 107, Writing 25, Speaking 22 | 8.0, no skill below 7.5 |
Score Validity at LSE
TOEFL scores are valid for two years. LSE requires scores valid at the time of application. LSE graduate deadlines run from October to May for most programmes.
Common Mistakes LSE TOEFL Applicants Make
Applying to Media or select LLM programmes with only 92. The Higher requirement of 107 is mandatory for these programmes — a 92 will not be accepted.
Writing below 24. This is the most common per-section failure among LSE TOEFL applicants. A 92 overall with Writing 20 falls below LSE's specified per-section minimum.
Relying on TOEFL MyBest. LSE does not accept superscored results. A single-sitting score is required.
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