There is no minimum grade requirement for applications to the programme, but applicants should be prepared to actively participate in a rigorous, intensive academic programme run by two leading research and teaching universities. It is expected that participants will engage with the extensive reading list as required by their course and contribute fully to class discussions.

We also welcome students and professionals on all levels of courses. Students who complete their High School studies in 2018 and hold a confirmed offer to begin university in 2018 (or in 2019 after a gap year) may also apply.

Some LSE-PKU Summer School courses at 200- or 300- level have specific prerequisites listed in the course descriptions, whilst others suggest (but do not require) particular academic backgrounds. Applicants for a course where prerequisites are in place should ensure that the documentation they provide with their application clearly indicates how their previous study or experience meets this requirement.

As the LSE-PKU Summer School is delivered in English, it is essential that all participants have a good standard of English language to enable them to fully participate in the programme and interact with their classmates. Students for whom English is not their first language must provide evidence of language proficiency.

We appreciate that applicants may show their English ability in a range of ways, such as:

• Being of a nationality where English is the first language.

• Having studied at university level in English (not learning English language), as shown on a transcript.

• Having studied English at school, not as a foreign language (eg, GCSE, iGCSE, O-Level, A-Level, International Baccalaureate) and received a good passing grade.

• Having taken an approved English Language test and met one of the standards below:

If you have any queries about whether your proof of English Language is suitable, please contact the LSE-PKU Summer School office.

Before you can apply online you need to pay an application fee of 450 CNY by credit or debit card online through LSE's Online Store. The application fee must be paid before an application can be processed.

Important: The application fee is not refundable in the event of an unsuccessful application or a decision to withdraw or decline an offered place.

Once you have paid your application fee, you can start your online application and submit your supporting documents.

If you are experiencing any problems with this, please complete the Word document version of our application and send it to us via email, along with your supporting documentation.

If you also wish to apply to our Pre-sessional Mandarin Course you will able to do so as part of this process.

If you are based in China you may wish to apply through our Beijing office.

Receipt of your application will be acknowledged within five working days. A decision will normally be made on fully completed applications within ten working days, but at particularly busy times, or during university closure dates, such as Christmas or Easter, these timescales may be extended.

You will need to provide:

1) Documentation to show that you satisfy the entry requirements of your course, such as a university transcript.

2) Proof of meeting the English language requirements (if relevant).

3) Preferably also a copy of your passport (but only if it will be valid for the duration of the Summer School). If you do not currently have a passport that will be valid during the Summer School, we will ask you to send us a copy of your new passport before the programme begins.

Fraud prevention

We take active steps to scrutinise and verify documents received during the application process. If we are unable to verify independently the accuracy of information supplied, your application may be cancelled and any offer withdrawn.

Once you have received an offer you must confirm your acceptance within four weeks by paying your tuition fees in full and uploading a passport style photo. Full instructions on how to pay your tuition fee and photo guidelines will be included in your acceptance letter.

If you will not have turned 18 by the start of the LSE-PKU Summer School, you will also need to provide a signed letter from your parent/ guardian confirming their permission for your attendance.

Places on the LSE-PKU Summer School are limited and if your place is not confirmed within for weeks of receipt, it may be offered to another applicant.

If you have decided not to accept the place, please contact us within two weeks, to enable us to release your place for another applicant.

The tuition fee can be found under Fees and Payments section.  

The tuition fee covers the cost of the tuition, the course reading pack, and a variety of extracurricular and social events. You will need to cover the costs of travel, accommodation and living expenses separately.

An application fee must be paid by all applicants via the secure LSE Online Store before an application can be processed. Once you have been made an offer, you will be provided with full instructions about how to pay your tuition fee.

If you experience any problems paying via the Online Store, or are being sponsored by an organisation or employer for example, please contact us to arrange an invoice.

We are delighted to offer a 15% 'Early Bird' discount for all fully completed applications received by 31st March 2020.

Professional participants who are no longer in full-time education but who are alumni of LSE or PKU (including alumni of the LSE-PKU Summer School), are also able to take advantage of the early bird professional standard rate, regardless of when they apply.

Unfortunately we do not offer any scholarships or bursaries.