LSE Summer School:

Practical Information

based on own experience in 2009.07-08

Author:

Tomasz Kubik

tom.kubik@gmail.com
+48 606 222 139

2010.05
Kraków
Studying at London School of Economics

There are over 50 courses available during the Summer School, pertaining to various subjects
(finance, management, economy, political science). Full list should be available here.

Personally, I took Principles of Accounting (it is focused on financial accounting) by Professor Joanne
Horton.

Course advantages:
+ great lecturer (ex-Big 4 auditor), seamlessly blending theory with practice
+ broad range of topics we covered
+ the course met its goals (i.e. an overview of financial accounting)

Course disadvantages:
– uneven level of classes (lectures and classes taught by different people)

I liked both the content and the form in which it was delivered.
As for the content, the course encompasses the following subjects: general accounting principles,
T-accounts, assets/liabilities/equity analysis, efficiency ratios, international accounting standards,
consolidation of financial statements.
The course is taught through lectures (largely interactive – discussions, Q&A sessions) and classes
(working on case studies/exercises together). Self-study also plays an important part (reading course
materials, doing homework).
A slight disadvantage (from my point of view) was that we spent a lot of time covering fairly basic
issues. On the other hand, the course is designed to be “for everyone”, so it was only natural.

Having spoken to other students, I have learned that course quality greatly depends on the teacher
(as was to be expected).
In 2009 prof. Joanne Horton also taught “Business Analysis and Valuation”. I spoke to two students
who took it, and they were quite happy.
I want to stress this again – course quality greatly depends on the teacher. The title and description is
not enough. Plus, teachers can change – „Principles of Accounting” or "Business Analysis and
Valuation" could be taught by someone else this year.

Subjective info/reco on studying:

 after you shortlist a few courses of your interest, do learn about the teachers (their
knowledge and attitude greatly influence course quality)
 most people teaching at LSE have a very open attitude towards students – do take advantage
of this fact. Use their knowledge to the fullest by asking questions during lectures/teacher
hours

LSE Summer School – practical information Tomasz Kubik tom.kubik@gmail.com +48 606 222 139 2
Course completion

Specific rules are set out in course description. Usually, there would be two exams, and both their
results are taken into account:
 mid-term – half-way through the course
 final – at the end

There are usually two ways to complete a course:

a) taking the final exam
b) without taking the final exam

You get the certificate in both cases – but its content is different:

ad. a)
This is to certify that [name and surname] attended LSE Summer School in the courses set out below
and was awarded the grade shown, Course: [title] Grade: [...]" – this is what my certificate reads
(I took the exam; once you do, you get the certificate with the grade you received, whether you want
this or not).

ad. b)
If you waive the final exam, the certificate is issued basing on your attendance. I do not know what
exactly the certificate reads then, but you do get it.

The certificate is printed on ornamented paper, with LSE logo embossed on top of it.

Accommodation

LSE dorm
LSE offers rooms in 9 student houses, all in the vicinity of the main campus. The detailed offer should
be here. Prices start from 600 GBP (single room for 20 nights) – that is around 200 GBP per week.
This is as low as the fare will go. The amount of rooms offered at this price is limited. Average prices
in dorms are 700 GBP – 800 GBP (and more). These prices are rather high for London standards (by
my reckoning). Advantages of dorms are: proximity to LSE campus (10 – 25 minutes on foot) and an
opportunity to “integrate” with international students.

Non-LSE dorm
With London being “vast and infinite”, you have a broad range of choices. The prices can be
3x – 4x lower than LSE dorms.
Myself, I lived in Acton (Acton Town => [Piccadilly Line] => Holborn).

LSE Summer School – practical information Tomasz Kubik tom.kubik@gmail.com +48 606 222 139 3
Internet Access on Campus

On premises
There are over 600 computers accessible to students on campus (I have only listed rooms that are
open during Summer School):

location number of computers opening hours

Mon-Fri: 09.00 – 00.00

Clare Market 105
Sat-Sun: 10.00 – 22.00

478 Mon-Fri: 09.00 – 20.00

Biblioteka Sat: 10.00 – 20.00
+ 198 laptop connection points Sun: closed

Mon-Fri: 08.00 – 20.00

New Academic Building (NAB) 26
Sat-Sun: closed

Mon-Fri: 09.00 – 00.00

Old Building 36
Sat-Sun: 10.00 – 22.00

Wireless
According to LSE web site, there is wireless access for students on campus. I was not able to verify it.

IT Infrastructure
Detailed info about IT services for students should be here
A guide for new students about IT services In PDF should be here

Campus

Campus map in PDF should be here

Subjective info/reco about campus:

 in the library, you can find „study rooms” – spaces that you can book for group study, doing
homework together, etc. => quite valuable
 getting from the campus to main underground hubs takes 7 – 15 minutes on foot (depending
on the station). Between 1600 – 1700 all stations are crowded (people returning from work)
– bear this in mind when commuting
 campus cafeteria ‘The Garrick’ is accessible exclusively to LSE students – doors open only
with a student card, which you should carry around at all times
 ‘The Garrick’ offers (among other treats) great coffee (also takeaway), which is by the way
the cheapest in the vicinity (and 2x cheaper than Starbucks)

LSE Summer School – practical information Tomasz Kubik tom.kubik@gmail.com +48 606 222 139 4
Campus Vicinity
LSE is located in City of London, so there is a lot to see there. Below, a subjective list of highlights
within “walking distance” from the campus:
 St. Paul’s Cathedral – one of the most famous churches in London. You know, the one you
often see in postcards 
 Millennium Bridge – yet another monument featured in postcards; modern architecture
 Paternoster Square – modern style, beautiful mosaic
 London Stock Exchange – no comment necessary 
 Bank of England – a.k.a. 'the old lady of Threadneedle Street'
 Lincoln’s Inn Fields – the largest square in London => great for relax between classes

Living in London
Ample resources pertaining to the subject are available online (forums, PDF guides...). The last thing
on my mind is rivalling it.

Rather, I would like to give you just a few thoughts:

 it is best to buy fresh food/vegetables in open-air markets (a.k.a. farmers’ markets). In most
boroughs, they take place at least once a week (e.g. Acton Town main square turns into one
Thursday through Saturday)
 private labels in UK supermarkets are of decent quality, thus being a viable & cheap
alternative to brand products
 if you find yourself looking for cheap books in English – be sure to check out “charity shops”

Running in London
I am keen on running, and London is a great place to do it:
 many parks
 great things to see along the way
 friendly weather (summer being not-too-hot, with brisk evenings)

You will do best setting your route yourself, depending on where you live.
On my part, I recommend those two “picturesque” routs along River Thames:

1. City of London panorama + Docklands (beautifully lit at night):

Victoria Embankment – Blackfriars – Millennium Bridge – Bankside – London Bridge – King William
Street – Poultry – Cheapside – Holborn (ca. 8 km)

2. „Secret service” route for James Bond fans (MI-6 headquarters along the way), „Spooks”
watchers (MI-5 HQ) and anyone interested in British history:
Pimlico – St. George’s Square – Grosvenor Road – Millbank – Vauxhall Bridge – Albert Embankment –
Lambeth Road – Victoria Tower Gardens – Westminster Abbey – Charing Cross (ca. 6 km)

LSE Summer School – practical information Tomasz Kubik tom.kubik@gmail.com +48 606 222 139 5
Post scriptum

I did my best for all the hyperlinks in this text to be up-to-date. If, however, they do not work (e.g.
web page address has been changed)...
...Use the Force! (e.g. search engine)

LSE Summer School – practical information Tomasz Kubik tom.kubik@gmail.com +48 606 222 139 6