This is a decisive moment for humankind and our planet. Together, we can Shape the World we all need.
Since 1895, LSE has shaped history and driven change across the world. Many of the world’s most influential leaders have studied here – shaping governments, economies, and institutions across the globe. But our impact is more than who walked through our halls – it's the ideas they carried forward. Because at LSE, impact isn’t history. It’s the future we’re building together, as a community of people and ideas.
With the largest number of social scientists in one single location anywhere in the world, and our ranks of brilliant LSE alumni shaping every level of society around the world, no other university is better positioned to lead and deliver impact on critical global challenges than LSE.
Building a campus to support LSE's mission
LSE opened its doors in 1895 with three rooms, 200 students, and a vision for “a community of people and ideas, founded to understand the causes of things, for the betterment of society”. Today our mission is the same but we are reinvigorating our campus to improve our ability to achieve. In just the last 10 years, we have acquired and renovated a whole series of landmark buildings. Supported by the generosity of our community, we have created a vibrant ‘university quarter’ right in the heart of central London — a campus worthy of our global standing.
To get the most from brilliant faculty and bright young minds we need spaces suited for the kind of teaching and research and collaborating they do. The days when all you needed was a desk and maybe a blackboard are long past. Today’s programmes call for new forms of working, new technologies, and new ways of teaming up and working in groups.
130 years of transformative philanthropy
From a single legacy gift in 1895 to transformative investments shaping our future, philanthropy has been central to LSE’s story. Explore our interactive timeline on how your giving has shaped LSE's campus and intellectual life.
How your generosity is transforming LSE's campus
We need spaces designed, in the best traditions of our School, to encourage people to think and act differently and to break through received wisdom, conventional boundaries, and limiting assumptions.
Thanks to you - our global community of alumni, friends and partners - those physical and virtual spaces are taking shape across our campus.
I hope the Firoz Lalji Global Hub will embody the spirit of curiosity and enquiry, bringing together a place for the complex challenges facing our world and how we address them. LSE’s commitment to the social sciences, its international stature, outlook and willingness to tackle the most pressing challenges of our time are as important today as they’ve ever been.
If you would like to discuss how you could partner with us as we transform our campus, contact us at shapingtheworld@lse.ac.uk.
News and updates
Celebrating the topping out ceremony at the Firoz Lalji Global Hub
The Global Hub is creating new spaces for research, teaching, collaboration and debate which will drastically scale LSE’s activity and impact
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Feix&Merlin and Alison Brooks Architects selected to redevelop 61 Aldwych
A fundraising campaign is underway to transform this building and unlock extraordinary new opportunities for teaching, learning and public engagement across the School.
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Wolfson Foundation helps bring Global Hub vision to life
The Wolfson Foundation has provided LSE with a £1 million award to support state-of-the-art teaching and learning spaces in the Firoz Lalji Global Hub.
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Winning design for the Firoz Lalji Hub revealed
Our new Global Hub for leaders, innovators and changemakers will provide space and opportunities to drastically scale LSE’s activity and impact.
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A gift to strengthen LSE’s financial future
In 2023 LSE renamed the New Academic Building the Cheng Kin Ku Building, in honour of the late father of alumnus and benefactor, Vincent Cheng.
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LSE’s new Marshall Building opens its doors
The building is home to the Marshall Institute, teaching, learning and convening spaces, alongside sports facilities to enrich student life.
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Shaping the world needs you
Breakthroughs are made when we all rise to the challenge.