International Students Guide

Brian’s academic path has never been linear. After leaving high school, he completed a foundation year in sports management at St Mary’s University in Twickenham, drawn by a passion for football and the idea of studying in its birthplace. During his two years of mandatory military service in Singapore, he realised that his interests had evolved beyond sports. Without traditional A-level results, his options were limited – but LIS offered something different: an accessible, forward-thinking education that values curiosity and real-world relevance.

Now studying in London, Brian appreciates the balance LIS provides – no heavy exam culture, plenty of room to think broadly, and a community that encourages exploration. Guided by the idea of ikigai, he sees success as finding the intersection between enjoyment, impact, and financial stability – and believes LIS is helping him get there.

Christian began his journey in Canada, planning to study graphic design abroad. When COVID-19 disrupted his studies and shifted his perspective, he chose not to study in the United States and instead came to London, enrolling at UAL’s London College of Communication. After a year, he realised the traditional art school model wasn’t giving him the challenge or depth he sought.

Since then, he has spent three years building professional experience in printing and independent design work, developing a strong creative voice and broad perspective. Now settled in London, he sees the city as an endless source of inspiration and opportunity. Choosing LIS was about doing education differently – connecting art, systems, and ideas. For Christian, it’s not just about refining his craft, but about learning how to think critically and creatively across different fields and build the confidence to sustain his own practice long term.

Mateo’s path to university has been defined by global transitions and a desire for environments rich in diversity. Born in Cologne, Germany, Mateo spent his teenage years moving across the country and then to Madrid for the International Baccalaureate. Immersion in a high school of 38 nationalities convinced him that internationalism wasn’t just an asset, but a necessity for his next steps. With Madrid’s English-language universities feeling too business-centric, Mateo looked further afield, making several visits to London before deciding the city’s vibrancy was unrivalled.

Arriving in London, Mateo sought more than just a degree – his goal was a learning space that forgoes traditional lecture halls in favour of small, interactive classrooms. What drew Mateo to LIS was its promise of genuine interdisciplinarity and real-world problem focus. He values the unique LIS model, which allows exploration across vastly different interests – whether conservation and eco-tourism or creative industries such as animation. For Mateo, success means making meaningful contributions to biodiversity or breaking into the creative sector, all while building a network as eclectic as the city itself. To him, LIS is the only place with the freedom, flexibility, and sense of community needed to discover these possibilities.

Louisa grew up in Munich, driven by a passion to uncover truths and make an impact through journalism. With practical training and minors in political and ecological studies, she developed a broad, interdisciplinary perspective on complex societal issues. Seeking a university that balances academic quality with real-world relevance, she chose LIS for its project-based learning, critical thinking focus, and supportive community.

London appealed to Louisa for its vibrant journalism scene and diverse culture, offering invaluable networking and professional opportunities. Though challenges like managing family health concerns and adapting to life abroad existed, LIS’s flexibility and personal support helped ease those worries. She aims to use her interdisciplinary education to push journalism towards ethical, data-informed, and socially impactful storytelling, building international networks and mastering skills in data analysis and cross- disciplinary communication.

What made LIS feel like the right fit was its blend of creativity and analytical thinking, start-up atmosphere, and freedom to explore new fields like programming and natural sciences alongside journalistic studies. Louisa values the personal support and diverse student body that enrich her learning experience and help prepare her for making meaningful contributions in the media world.

Gustavo comes from Brazil with a background in psychology, a Master’s in Lacanian psychoanalysis, and five years’ experience as a counsellor. Alongside this, he studied the philosophy of science and learned coding, aiming to transition into data and AI fields. Facing limited options for courses like game design and digital humanities in Brazil, he looked abroad.

He sought a university where technical learning is balanced with critical thinking – avoiding a “shut up and code” culture – and appreciated that LIS offered this without exorbitant fees. Gustavo loves London’s cold weather, big city vibe, and unique mix of arts, science, culture, and multiculturalism. His experience living here has been excellent, enjoying student housing and daily strolls through vibrant Brick Lane.

Post-graduation, Gustavo aspires to pursue a PhD or work as a researcher/data scientist in Europe. At LIS, he has built skills in data science, engaged with interdisciplinary tech and art networks, and accessed unexpected professional connections. What drew him to LIS was its transcending of the “Two Cultures” divide, strong mission in computational social science, and an intellectual, interdisciplinary ethos that equips students to transform thought into action.