London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE)

London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE)

Age: 116

History: LSE was founded in 1895 by four Fabians: Beatrice and Sidney Webb, Graham Wallas and George Bernard Shaw, for 'the betterment of society' through the study of poverty and inequality. In 1902 the school moved formally to its present site, and in May 1920 King George V laid the foundation stone of the Old Building.

Address: In the heart of London, between the Strand and the beginning of Fleet Street.

Ambience: Forget the cramped site, feel the intellectual buzz. LSE is an international powerhouse. Where there were cruddy buildings, you will now find a fantastic new Foster-designed £30m library, a new research laboratory, a student services centre and the new Plaza café. LSE's eco-friendly £71m academic building was opened by The Queen in 2008. It provides state-of-the-art teaching facilities, including four lecture theatres, classrooms and academic offices spread over eight floors.

Vital statistics: Around 4,000 full-time undergrads and 4,400 postgraduates. Nearly half come from outside Europe.

Added value: Academics interact with the worlds of politics, business and industry. Houses more than 30 research centres and institutes, including the Grantham Research Institute on climate change economics and policy headed by Lord Nicholas Stern, and the new International Growth Centre which helps developing countries strengthen their economies.

Easy to get into? No: LSE does not use the UCAS points system but only the top grades will be accepted, and it is very particular about which subjects are studied at A-level. Particularly difficult for law, economics, accounting and finance, government, international relations and management. but new effort is being made to recruit disadvantaged youths from state schools in London through Saturday, winter and summer school schemes with help from external funds.

Glittering alumni: 31 members of today's House of Commons and 42 members of the House of Lords; 34 current or former heads of state, including John F. Kennedy; 16 Nobel Prize winners; Lord Saatchi, advertising baron; Mick Jagger; DJ Judge Jules.

Transport links: Excellent. London is an international hub, and LSE is right in the centre.

Who's the boss? Professor Judith Rees CBE is director.

Teaching: 78th out of 116 in the Complete University Guide.

Research: 3rd out of 115 in the Research Assessment Exercise.

Overall ranking: Came 4th out of 116 in the Complete University Guide.

Nightlife: Has the Peacock theatre, a cinema and several clubs. Pubs include the Underground for its Friday night discos and the popular Three Tuns, which does a weekly comedy night.

How green is it? Good – joint 22nd out of 138 universities graded by People and Planet for their 'Green League 2011'.

Any accommodation? Yes, in a big way. More than 3,400 students can be housed but weekly costs start at £110 for a single room.

Cheap to live there? Nope – it's London. Private rents start from around £100 per week.

Sports Ranking: 63rd in the BUCS league table.

Fees: £3,375 per year for full-time home udnergrads starting in 2011. LSE plans on charging the maximum tuition fee of £8,500 as of 2012.

Bursaries: A bursary of up to £2,500 per year is available to students from low-income families.

Prospectus: 020 7955 6613; www.lse.ac.uk

UCAS code: L72