- Overview
- Location and Housing
- Academics
- Pricing and Dates
- Program Staff
- Application Instructions
- Additional Information
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) will give a you the opportunity to study at one of the most prestigious departments of Economics in the United Kingdom through their General Course option. In late September, you will engage in the British tutorial system, allowing you to study a wide range of topics alongside British peers. The abroadSELECT program is extremely competitive and admission will be highly selective.
In addition to courses in the Department of Economics, you can take up to 2 courses in other departments, giving you the flexibility to fulfill requirements for multiple majors or minors while still taking advantage of a world-class Economics education.
Students must have completed two years of university level studies prior to participation, per the host institution. Please know that this does not include Advanced Placement credit transfered into Pitt.
As an active and engaged participant on this program, you will have the opportunity to develop:
- the ability to succeed independently in a foreign education environment.
- non-US based perspectives on your field of study and/or future career path.
- a global network of peer in similar fields of study and connections with faculty in the United Kingdom.
If your first thoughts of London are the Royal Family and Downton Abbey, prepare to be blown away. English history and culture are juxtaposed against streets lined with Indian restaurants and Chinese New Year celebrations. The birthplace of the English language is now home to speakers of more than 30 other languages – not counting the variety of English accents you will hear. Skyscrapers tower over 17th-century buildings while Big Ben overlooks the River Thames. Study abroad in London and you find yourself constantly surprised by what you discover in one of the world’s most diverse and global cities.
Part of the experience is to live like a Londoner. The overwhelming majority of students choose to live in shared apartments – the English call them flats – spread across the city. You will be one of as many as eight students living in a flat, which includes shared bedrooms and bathrooms, living space, and access to laundry facilities, all in a secure building. The flats also come with an equipped kitchen; note meals are not included in the program fee. Apartments are as varied as the city itself; no two flats are alike.
Housing is guaranteed by LSE since you will be studying there for a full academic year. Once you've accepted your offer to study at LSE, you will be sent more information about accommodation. Pitt students are advised to select Catered accomodation through LSE and should apply by the end of May. Find the specific application deadline and more here.
LSE Module |
Pitt Equivalent |
EC100 Economics A and EC102 Economics B |
Econ 0100 and 0110 |
EC201 Microeconomic Principles I and EC202 Microeconomic Principles II |
Econ 1100 |
EC210 Macroeconomic Principles |
Econ 1110 |
EC220 Introduction to Econometrics |
Econ 1150 |
EC221 Principles of Econometrics |
Econ 1000 |
EC230 Economics in Public Policy |
Econ 1000 |
EC301 Advanced Economic Analysis |
Econ 1000 |
EC302 Political Economy |
Econ 1000 |
EC307 Development Economics |
Econ 1530 |
EC309 Econometric Theory |
Econ 1000 |
EC311 History of Economics: How Theories Change |
Econ 1000 |
EC313 Industrial Economics |
Econ 1470 |
EC315 International Economics |
Econ 1500 |
EC317 Labour Economics |
Econ 1420 |
EC319 Games and Economic Behaviour |
Econ 1200 |
EC321 Monetary Economics |
Econ 1280 |
EC325 Public Economics |
Econ 1230 |
EC333 Problems of Applied Econometrics |
Econ 1000 |
EH101 The Internationalisation of Economic Growth, 1870 to the present day |
Econ 0000 |
EH102 Pre-industrial Economic History |
Econ 0000 |
EH204 Money and Finance: From the Middle Ages to Modernity |
Econ 0000 |
EH207 The Making of an Economic Superpower: China since 1850 |
Econ 0000 |
EH208 Economic History Lab: Cities, Economy and Society, 1550-1750 |
Econ 0000 |
EH211 Africa and the World Economy, 1500-2000 |
Econ 0000 |
EH225 Latin America and the International Economy |
Econ 0000 |
EH238 The Origins of Growth |
Econ 0000 |
EH240 Business and Economic Performance since 1945: Britain in International Context |
Econ 0000 |
EH309 Slavery from Ancient Greece to the Gulag |
Econ 0000 |
EH311 Atlantic World Slavery |
Econ 0000 |
Unlike Pitt, LSE’s grading scale assigns numerical values between 0 – 100, with 100 representing the highest grade achievable. It is important to understand that few students in the British system receive grades higher than 70. Participation on this Partner Program means that Pitt students will earn actual letter grades, and therefore grades earned through this program will affect the Pitt GPA, and appear on the Pitt transcript.
Pitt will utilize the following grade scale to determine the letter grades:
Items Billed by Pitt |
||
---|---|---|
In-State | Out-of-State | |
Tuition | $9,880 | $17,982 |
Housing/Other | $8,319 | $8,319 |
Study Abroad Fee | $400 | $400 |
Total Billed by Pitt | $18,599 | $26,701 |
- Tuition for 12-18 credits
- Housing
- Orientation in London
- Health Insurance
Remember that your lifestyle and spending choices can greatly affect the amount of money you'll need while abroad. Visit our Budgeting page for more information.
Estimated Additional Out-of-Pocket Costs |
||
---|---|---|
Travel Expenses: Airfare, Passport, Visa, Resident Permit | $2,000 | |
Food | $3,000 - 5,000 | |
Personal Expenses | $1,000 - 5,000 |
Keep in mind that you are also responsible for the following:
- Program Deposit ($350, to be credited to your program bill)
- Textbooks ($200)
- Local Cell Phone ($100)
Pitt students enroll at LSE for a full academic year (two full semesters). LSE's academic calendars may differ from Pitt's normal fall (August through December) and spring (January through April) semesters, so Pitt students should check the academic calendar at the partner university. Like Pitt, LSE’s academic calendar follows a Fall-Spring progression, meaning Fall is the first semester followed by the Spring semester as the second. The dates listed above are estimated and therefore subject to change according to the host university’s schedule.
Bryan Schultz

Greetings! I am the Director of International Progarms at the College of Business. I've been at Pitt since 2011 and during this time served in the Study Abroad Office, Swanson School of Engineering, Frederick Honors College and the College of Business Administration. My portfolio of responsibilities includes expanding global and experiential opportunities for Pitt Honors students. Prior to joining Pitt my career focused on providing executive-level leadership and consulting to nonprofit organizations in Colorado and Washington DC.
I graduated from Kalamazoo College (MI) with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and earned a Master of Nonprofit Management degree from Regis University (CO). During my free tine I enjoy long backpacking trips, following Detroit-based professional sports, painting, going to concerts, and exploring new places - especially those overseas.
Schedule an appointment
Email me at bryan.schultz@pitt.edu to schedule an appointment.
Pitt sends a limited number of students per semester to LSE. In addition to applying to the Pitt Study Abroad application above, be sure to review LSE's website regarding their application requirements for incoming exchange students. A formal nomination from Pitt Study Abroad is required for Pitt students to be recognized as a study abroad student at LSE. Therefore, Pitt students must complete all necessary Pitt Study Abroad steps in addition to LSE's requirements. In other words, acceptance by Pitt Study Abroad does not guarantee acceptance by the partner university.
The partner university may require the following to be submitted through an online application. Requirements may include but are not limited to the following:
- Application Form
- Copy of Valid Passport
- Official Pitt Transcript
- Official Pitt Verification of Enrollment
- Statement of Intent or Purpose
- Resume or CV
- Official Language Evaluation
- Up to 2 instructor letters of recommendations
- Up to 2 passport photos
Language Requirements: Non-native English speakers will be required to show evidence of English proficiency either through the IELTS or the TOEFL. Please check with LSE regarding these requirements.
Students studying abroad through Pitt Study Abroad are automatically provided health insurance coverage during the official program dates. However, the United Kingdom may require Pitt students to purchase additional coverage through their national health plans, depending on the length of the exchange. See the details here.
In order to study as a student in specific countries, a visa is required. A visa is formal endorsement by the host country to grant permission for an individual to enter, live or stay in that country for a specific purpose and period. In addition to a visa, some host countries may require a residency permit upon arrival.
As part of your study abroad program in the UK, you may be required to apply for a student visa. Please be aware that UK visa processing times may be delayed due to ongoing impacts of the global pandemic. Obtaining a visa a solely your responsibility and is a very detailed process. You should be prepared to do the following:
- Begin your visa application process as soon as you receive the detailed instructions and guidance from your host institution or program manager
- Follow the instructions carefully, checking for mistakes
- Respond promptly to any requests for follow-up or additional information related to your visa application
- Check to ensure that your returned passport has the appropriate visa stamp prior to departing the U.S.
Failure to follow the visa instructions fully may result in additional cost beyond the visa application fee or visa denial.
For those without British nationality, students must obtain a Tier 4 Visa to study for a full academic year in the United Kingdom. For an overview regarding the visa process, please review LSE's website. Also, check the British Embassy or consulate closest to you for additional information. LSE will provide general direction after formal admission on how to apply for either the visa and/or residency permit. Pitt students should also research the visa and/or permit process through the specified country consulate website. In general visa and/or permit application requirements include but are not limited to the following requirements:
- Visa application
- Valid Passport
- Verification of acceptance from sponsoring university (exchange university)
- Financial Documents, such as bank statements, tax documents or pay statements.
- Passport photos
- Application fee
- Medical/physical examination (likely to require a doctor's appointment so plan accordingly)