Can I get into LSE Economics with 38 IB points?

For a standard application, 38 points is below the currently published requirement of 39 points for BSc Economics. LSE publishes a contextual requirement of 38 points, but only eligible applicants may be considered under that route. Contextual applicants must still achieve 766 at Higher Level with a 7 in Mathematics. LSE may use contextual information when assessing an applicant predicted marginally below the standard threshold, but this does not guarantee an offer. If you are not contextually eligible, applying with 38 predicted points would place you below the stated academic requirement.

Does LSE require a 7 in IB Mathematics for Economics?

Yes, the published BSc Economics requirement includes a 7 in Higher Level Mathematics. This condition applies to both the standard and contextual offers currently shown by LSE. An overall score above 39 does not compensate for a 6 in Mathematics because the subject-specific condition is assessed separately. Mathematics AA HL is preferred or desirable, although LSE's current general guidance says both HL mathematics streams are considered for BSc Economics. Standard Level Mathematics does not meet the published requirement.

Is Mathematics AI HL accepted for LSE Economics?

LSE's current IB guidance says that both Higher Level mathematics streams are considered for BSc Economics. However, Mathematics AA HL is explicitly preferred or desirable, making it the safer choice where available. An AI HL applicant must still be predicted or achieve a 7 in Mathematics and satisfy the full 766 Higher Level condition. Because BSc Economics is mathematically demanding, AA HL also provides more direct preparation for calculus and formal mathematical reasoning. Students should recheck this policy for their own entry year because programme requirements can change.

Do I need IB Economics HL to apply for LSE Economics?

No, LSE does not currently require applicants to have studied Economics before entering the BSc Economics programme. IB Economics HL can nevertheless be useful because it develops economic analysis, evaluation and structured writing. It cannot replace the compulsory 7 in Higher Level Mathematics. Applicants without Economics should use their academic application to demonstrate informed engagement with economic ideas through reading, lectures, research or other super-curricular work. The strongest subject combination is one that satisfies LSE's mathematics requirement while supporting excellent overall and Higher Level grades.

Will 40 or more IB points guarantee an LSE Economics offer?

No IB score guarantees admission to LSE Economics. A score above 39 can strengthen your academic profile, but LSE assesses applicants comparatively and receives many applications from students who meet or exceed its requirements. You must still satisfy the Higher Level pattern, achieve a 7 in Mathematics and complete the mandatory TMUA for entry years where it is required. LSE also considers your subject combination, personal statement, reference and educational circumstances. Treat a score of 40 or above as strong academic evidence, not as an automatic offer.

Is the TMUA compulsory for IB applicants to LSE Economics?

For September 2027 entry, the TMUA is mandatory for every applicant to LSE BSc Economics, including IB students. A strong Mathematics HL grade does not exempt you from taking the test. The TMUA assesses mathematical application and reasoning through two timed, non-calculator multiple-choice papers. Applicants must register separately and follow the deadlines published for their admissions cycle. Because testing policies can change, anyone applying in a later year should verify the requirement directly on LSE's current programme and TMUA pages.

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What IB Score Do You Need for LSE Economics?

IB Positioning IB Economics Study Guides

• 19 Sept 2026•11

What IB Score Do You Need for LSE Economics?

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What IB Score Do You Need for LSE Economics? | RevisionDojo

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What IB Score Do You Need for LSE Economics?

IB Positioning IB Economics Study Guides

• 19 Sept 2026•11

The published IB score for LSE Economics is 39 points overall, with 766 across your three Higher Level subjects and a 7 in Higher Level Mathematics. Eligible contextual applicants currently have a published requirement of 38 points overall, with 766 at Higher Level and a 7 in Mathematics.

These requirements apply to LSE's BSc Economics programme for September 2027 entry. Meeting them makes you academically eligible, but it does not guarantee admission. LSE also considers your subject combination, academic record, personal statement, reference, educational context and mandatory admissions test.

LSE IB requirements for BSc Economics

The official LSE BSc Economics page lists these requirements:

Requirement	Standard applicant	Eligible contextual applicant
Overall IB Diploma score	39 points	38 points
Higher Level grades	766	766
Mathematics grade	7 at Higher Level	7 at Higher Level
TMUA	Mandatory for September 2027 entry	Mandatory for September 2027 entry

The overall total includes your six subject grades and additional points from Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay. Core points cannot compensate for a missing Higher Level condition. A student with 39 points but a 6 in HL Mathematics would not meet the published requirement.

The notation 766 at Higher Level means your three HL grades must include one 7 and two 6s. Because Mathematics must be the grade 7, the practical target is:

7 in HL Mathematics
6 in one other HL subject
6 in the third HL subject
39 points overall, or 38 under the contextual requirement

For example, 7 in Mathematics HL, 6 in Economics HL and 6 in History HL satisfies the HL condition. You would still need sufficient Standard Level and Diploma core points to reach the overall total.

Is 39 points enough for LSE Economics?

A predicted or achieved score of 39 with 766 at Higher Level meets the standard published threshold, but it does not guarantee an offer. LSE receives applications from many students who meet or exceed its entry requirements, so admissions decisions are comparative.

There is no official rule saying every competitive applicant needs 40, 42 or 45 points. A higher prediction may strengthen your academic profile, but it cannot correct an unsuitable Mathematics course, a missing HL 7, a weak TMUA result or an unconvincing academic application.

Treat 39 with 766 and a 7 in Mathematics as the required academic starting point rather than an offer formula. LSE's general undergraduate entry requirements explain that predicted and achieved grades are considered alongside the complete UCAS application.

Which IB Mathematics course does LSE require?

LSE requires Higher Level Mathematics for BSc Economics. Its current IB guidance indicates that Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL is preferred or desirable, although both Higher Level mathematics streams are considered.

This creates an important distinction:

Mathematics AA HL offers the strongest preparation and is LSE's preferred option.
Mathematics AI HL is currently considered, but applicants still need a 7.
Mathematics AA SL and Mathematics AI SL do not satisfy the HL Mathematics requirement.

University economics involves calculus, optimisation, statistics, mathematical modelling and econometrics. AA HL provides more direct preparation for algebraic reasoning and calculus, which explains LSE's preference.

Students selecting Diploma subjects should therefore choose AA HL if it is available and realistically manageable. RevisionDojo's guidance on an appropriate IB subject combination for LSE Economics explains how Mathematics, Economics and a suitable third HL can create a balanced profile.

Do you need IB Economics at Higher Level?

IB Economics is not compulsory for LSE BSc Economics. Prior study of Economics is not required, although the subject can help you develop diagrammatic analysis, policy evaluation and structured argument.

Possible HL combinations include:

Mathematics AA HL, Economics HL and History HL
Mathematics AA HL, Economics HL and Physics HL
Mathematics AA HL, English HL and Chemistry HL
Mathematics AI HL, Economics HL and History HL, although AA HL is preferred

Economics HL cannot replace the Mathematics requirement and does not create an automatic admissions advantage. Choose a third HL that demonstrates useful academic skills while giving you a realistic chance of achieving the required 766.

How contextual offers work

LSE's published contextual requirement is 38 points overall with 766 at Higher Level, including 7 in Mathematics. It applies only to applicants who satisfy LSE's contextual eligibility criteria.

According to LSE's contextual admissions guidance, contextual information is normally added through UCAS. Factors can include care experience, free school meal eligibility, postcode information, school performance and participation in specified widening participation programmes.

Contextual eligibility does not guarantee admission. It allows achievements to be assessed in light of educational circumstances, but the 7 in HL Mathematics remains unchanged.

The TMUA requirement for LSE Economics

For September 2027 entry, every BSc Economics applicant must take the Test of Mathematics for University Admission, or TMUA. It is mandatory rather than an optional opportunity to strengthen the application.

LSE's official TMUA guidance describes a 2 hour 30 minute, non-calculator test:

Part	Focus	Format
Part 1	Applying mathematical knowledge in unfamiliar situations	20 multiple-choice questions in 75 minutes
Part 2	Mathematical reasoning and elementary logic	20 multiple-choice questions in 75 minutes

A 7 in IB Mathematics does not provide an exemption. Your IB grade reflects achievement across a full course, while the TMUA assesses application and reasoning under strict time limits.

IB Mathematics revision remains valuable, but TMUA preparation should include timed non-calculator questions and unfamiliar reasoning problems. Applicants for later entry years should recheck LSE's pages because testing policies can change.

What else does LSE assess?

LSE does not normally interview undergraduate applicants, so the UCAS application carries substantial weight. Its assessment can include:

Predicted and achieved grades
Subject suitability and combination
The personal statement
The teacher reference
Educational circumstances
The required TMUA result

LSE's personal statement guidance recommends that at least 80% focus on academic interest, critical engagement and relevant super-curricular activity. For Economics, explain what you learned from books, lectures, research, data or economic debates instead of simply listing them.

For example, rather than stating that you studied minimum wages, explain how empirical evidence challenged assumptions in a competitive labour market model. This demonstrates reflection, intellectual curiosity and an ability to evaluate economic arguments.

What should you aim for in your IB predictions?

Your immediate priorities should be to:

Secure a predicted 7 in HL Mathematics.
Build a stable 766 or stronger HL profile.
Reach at least 39 overall, unless contextually eligible.
Prepare separately for the TMUA.
Develop clear evidence of academic engagement with economics.

Do not concentrate on raising your total from 39 to 40 while Mathematics remains at 6. The subject condition is separate and cannot be replaced by additional Standard Level or core points.

Use recent timed work to identify where improvement is most realistic. The RevisionDojo IB grade predictor guide can help you combine paper performance, coursework and core points into a realistic projection.

For preparation, use IB Mathematics AA resources for syllabus revision while keeping dedicated TMUA practice separate. For Economics, revise concepts through the IB Economics resource hub, then complete targeted problems in the Economics Questionbank.

LSE should remain an ambitious UCAS choice even if you meet every condition. Compare requirements across your other options using the RevisionDojo guide to UK university admissions.

Conclusion

The standard IB score for LSE Economics is 39 points with 766 at Higher Level and a 7 in HL Mathematics. Eligible contextual applicants may be considered with 38 points, while retaining the same HL and Mathematics conditions. Mathematics AA HL is preferred, although both HL streams are currently considered.

Grades are necessary but not sufficient. LSE also assesses the TMUA, subject choices, academic engagement, personal statement, reference and educational context. RevisionDojo's Study Notes, Questionbank, Jojo AI and Grade Predictor can help you convert these requirements into a focused academic plan.

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