Information for final year undergraduate students

During your final year as an undergraduate at LSE you will start to focus in further on areas that interest you as well as consolidate your understanding of your discipline. Many students will undertake a dissertation or independent research project.

This year will go quickly and can feel high pressured, but your Academic Mentor and services such as LSE LIFE and LSE Careers are here to help you leave with the best chance of securing the job or further study you are aiming for. 

To help you to make the most of your year and look forward to what's coming up here is a summary of a typical final year.

What happens in Autumn Term?

September

In your final Welcome Week as an LSE undergraduate, you may have volunteered to help new students or might be representing your Club or Society recruiting new members. You may be taking part in the events and activities on campus or you might have had enough after the first two years! Even if you didn't join any Clubs, Societies or volunteering programmes in your first years here, you can still do so now.

You may have sorted your accommodation over the summer, but if not the LSESU Advice team and University of London Housing Services (ULHS) can give you advice and answer any questions you might have. ULHS can do contract checks and have a bank of available properties to search through. 

Opportunities for paid work are available all over London. The School and Students' Union will also recruit for student staff in Autumn Term.

If you have a disability and haven't done so already, get in touch with the Disability and Mental Health Service to discuss adjustments and plans for your study in your final year. If you have been in touch, make sure they're up to date with any new information.

Graduate internship applications open at various times through the year, so you if you're hoping to join an internship programme after you graduate, you should take some time to find out when the companies you want to apply to open their processes so you can plan applications into your schedule.

October, November, December

You should now have a full timetable and understand the deadlines for any work you'll be asked to submit.

You'll meet with your Academic Mentor and can book appointments with any of LSE's services if you're interested in extra support in building your skills. LSE LIFE and LSE Careers  run full programmes and it's likely your department will also have extra curricular activities you can attend. Your teachers will run Office Hours.

If you are undertaking a dissertation or research project, you should start planning your time early and understand your department's deadlines and available support as soon as you can.

You may decide to run as your course's Course Rep, and if elected, you'll attend training during this period. The first Staff Student Liasion Committee meetings of the year will take place in this period.

If you're taking January exams, you'll receive your timetable as soon as it's ready and can start planning your revision timetable and plans for the break. Even if you have revision or assignments to do during the break, remember to schedule in time to relax, catch up with friends and family and reflect on your first term at LSE. 

You may feel like the reading, assignments and studying should (and could) take up all of your time, but there's still plenty of time left at LSE for you to explore which activities benefit you, and which ones don't. Remember though, you can't do everything all the time. You don't need to feel pressured to get involved with things just because your peers are doing them.

What happens in Winter Term?

January

You may return straight to January exams or due assignments, or you might arrive with the chance to get ahead on your reading for your final set of courses. As in Autumn Term, LSE LIFELSE Careers and your department will offer a range of extra curricular activities throughout Winter Term. 

You should receive dates for assignments and know what your timetable for Winter Term will look like. 

You may wish to get in touch with your Academic Mentor to check in or ask any questions, particularly if you are considering further study.

February, March, April

Classes will continue and you'll be busy with reading, assignments and study. You should take time out each week to focus on other areas of your life, as well as making sure you stay on top of your notes.

You'll receive feedback and marks from assignments and exams. To make the most of this, you should arrange to meet with your Mentor or the course tutor to clarify what you can do to improve moving fowards.

You'll also get the chance to feedback on your experience through Staff Student Liaison Committees, either as a Course Rep, or by contacting your Course Rep ahead of the meetings.

Most teaching will finish before the Easter break, so you should make sure you understand concepts and attend any Office Hours where you're not sure or want to discuss a topic further.

What happens in Spring Term?

May and June

You'll need to make a plan for your revision, attending any revision sessions with your department or LSE LIFE that you think will help you. There's plenty of stress-busting activity and support on campus during this period, but you also need to be aware of your stress levels and look after yourself.

Attend and sit your exams. If for any reason you feel you're not fit to sit the exam, speak to the Student Services Centre as soon as possible to understand your options. If you cannot attend an exam, call the Student Services Centre as soon as possible on +44 (0)20 7955 6167.

July and August

If you've passed and graduated, you can attend graduation with your peers to celebrate your achievement. Dates and details of arrangements will be released as soon as possible.

If you've been living in a private rented home, you might be happy and able to renew your tenancy. Communicating with your landlord or lettings agent early on will help you to plan. Alternatively, you may be considering moving home or looking for new flatmates. The LSESU Advice team, the University of London Housing Services (ULHS) can give you advice and answer any questions you might have even in your final year of study. Remember, many students become eligible for Council Tax as soon as their course finishes so you might need to budget for paying that over the summer. Your local council, or either of the services above can help you understand your rights and obligations in this area.

You may have any number of things planned for the summer- a proper break, travelling, visiting family or friends or going straight into an internship or a temporary or permanent job. Whatever you decide to do, you'll remain part of LSE as you become a valued member of our alumni community. LSE Careers remains open to you for five years and there are ongoing events and opportunities to network and contribute.

If you've been studying on a visa, make sure you understand the terms it outlines after you graduate. If you need any support, contact the International Student Visa Advice Team.

Quick checklists for the year

This year I will:

  • Continue to build on my specialist knowledge
  • Continue to meet new members of the LSE community
  • Complete assignments and exams
  • Receive feedback and plan how to improve work in the future, at LSE and beyond
  • Think about my future after my Undergraduate degree

This year I could:

  • Attend Office Hours to discuss theories and ideas and raise any questions I have
  • Join clubs, societies or volunteer groups
  • Attend LSE LIFELSE Careers and departmental extra curricular activities
  • Apply for further study, at LSE or beyond
  • Apply for graduate internships or paid work
  • Consider running as an LSESU Sabbatical Officer
  • Look for private rented accommodation if I'm planning to live there next year, including moving out of a previous property