AFSEE is a fully funded, inequalities-focused fellowship at the International Inequalities Institute at LSE for mid-career social-change leaders — policymakers, activists, practitioners, researchers, artists and movement-builders from around the world. Residential Fellows spend one year in London doing the MSc in Inequalities and Social Science plus four bespoke fellowship modules; Non-Residential Fellows stay in their home countries and work contexts, complete a practice-based project, and join the modules online and in person.
Why it is notable: An 11th-cohort programme (launched 2016; over 160 change-makers from 60 countries in the first ten cohorts) with a Non-Residential track that explicitly welcomes applicants WITHOUT an undergraduate degree — one of very few fully funded global fellowships open to non-traditional, practice-based social-change leaders. Preference for candidates from the Global South and marginalised/underrepresented communities.
Funding at a glance
What it covers
Residential track: full tuition fees for the LSE MSc in Inequalities and Social Science
Residential track: living-cost stipend while in London (official site describes the track as fully funded; the 2027–28 stipend figure is NOT published on official pages — marked UNVERIFIED; reconfirm before publishing)
Travel to and from London at the beginning and end of the active fellowship year
Any visa and immigration-related costs reimbursed
Four bespoke fellowship modules (foundations of social and economic inequalities; policy for equity; challenging and transforming inequality; debates around inequality) with contributions from academics, practitioners, campaigners and civil society professionals
Non-Residential track: funded fellowship participation including travel to and from London/Cape Town for each module, accommodation and related costs during modules, reimbursement of visa fees, dedicated mentorship
Dedicated LSE academic mentor for Residential Fellows; monthly meetings and regular check-ins with the AFSEE Academic Lead
Lifelong membership of the Senior Fellow community (global Atlantic Fellows network) after the active year
Eligibility criteria
Qualification Required
Graduationfor Masters
This fellowship is offered for a one-year MSc at LSE (Residential track) and for practice-based social-change professionals (Non-Residential track).
Who can apply
Open globally — policymakers, researchers, activists, practitioners, artists and movement-builders from around the world; preference for candidates from the Global South and from marginalised or underrepresented communities. No nationality is excluded.
Experience
At least 7 years of experience challenging inequalities (courage, care, leadership and commitment in advancing equitable solutions to inequality). This is a mid-career programme.
Language Certificate
Must be able to meet LSE's English Language Requirements (Residential track: Higher; applicants are NOT required to sit an English-language test before submitting the application).
Other Certificates
Residential track: degree certificates/transcripts for MSc admission (2:1 or equivalent, any discipline). Non-Residential track: no degree documents required.
Age Limit
No Age Limit
Check your eligibility
Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.
1
Country checker
All nationalities eligible; explicit preference (not quota) for Global South candidates and marginalised/underrepresented communities. No country is excluded.
2
Last degree checker
Choose your highest completed qualification to see which degree level may fit.
3
Course checker
Pick a course to see whether it falls inside this scholarship's scope.
Complete all three checks
Your combined result will appear here.
Based on published eligibility — always confirm on the official page before applying.
Application essentials
Requirements
Review each requirement before you begin the application.
01
Qualification
Residential: qualify for LSE MSc in Inequalities and Social Science admission (2:1 or equivalent, any discipline). Non-Residential: no degree required — non-traditional applicants explicitly welcome.
02
Experience
at least 7 years of experience demonstrating courage, care, leadership and commitment in advancing equitable solutions to inequality (both tracks).
03
Language
meet LSE's English Language Requirements; no English test needed before submitting the application.
04
Essays/answers
give a clear idea of who you are, your values and your work — experience challenging inequalities; clarity of vision and future impact; commitment and readiness to learn from and contribute to the AFSEE community.
05
References
provide references as requested in the application (type and timing stated inside the official application system).
06
Fee
application fee not published on official pages — reconfirm before publishing.
Document checklist
01Completed online application via the official LSE application system (evision.lse.ac.uk)
02References as requested by the application (exact reference requirements are stated inside the official application — not published on the public pages)
03Residential track: evidence of qualifications for MSc admission (degree transcripts; 2:1 or equivalent, any discipline) per LSE admissions requirements
04Evidence of meeting LSE's English Language Requirements where applicable NOTE: the exact document checklist is stated inside the official application system — verify the full list there before publish
Application fee
No application fee is published on the official pages (the official FAQ list includes "Is there an application fee for t
Visa, kept concise: Study visa type for this destination: United Kingdom Student visa (Residential track — one year in London).
Application Procedure
10 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.
01
Check the 7-years-of-experience rule and whether you
meet LSE's English Language Requirements (you do NOT need to sit an English test before applying).
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02
Decide your track
Residential (one year in London, MSc at LSE — needs 2:1 or equivalent) or Non-Residential (stay in your home country/work context, practice-based project).
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03
Review the eligibility & selection guidance and
consider attending an AFSEE information webinar or applicant Q&A session (Oct–Nov 2026).
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06
Submit by 11 January 2027
5:00pm UK time — late applications are not accepted.
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05
Complete the application (experience challenging inequalities
clarity of vision and future impact, commitment to the AFSEE community) and provide references as requested.
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04
Start your application via the official AFSEE
apply page → the LSE application system (evision.lse.ac.uk).
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07
Interview invitations: mid-March 2027. Final decisions
Can I apply if I don't have an undergraduate degree? / A: Yes — for the Non-Residential track the programme explicitly welcomes applicants without an undergraduate degree (as well as those with a 2:2 Do I need an English-language test before I apply? / A: No — applicants are not required to sit an English-language test before submitting the application, though you must ultimately be able to meet LWhat kind of references do I need to provide, and when? / A: The reference requirements are stated in the application — check the official application for the current-cycle details.What will happen after the fellowship year? / A: Fellows become lifelong members of the Senior Fellow community with ongoing opportunities to learn, collaborate and connect in the global Atlantic FellIs there an application fee for this fellowship? / A: No fee is published on the official pages — reconfirm the current-cycle answer before publishing.How many modules are there? / A: Four bespoke fellowship modules across the year (foundations of inequality; policy for equity; challenging and transforming inequality; debates around inequality).Can late applications be accepted? / A: No — the programme explicitly states late applications will not be accepted (deadline 11 January 2027, 5:00pm UK time).
Need document or attestation help?
Detailed attestation guidance stays in Opplore's standalone Guides section, not inside this scholarship page.
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