How does this work for LSE?

I have just finished my A-level exams and I’m going to be taking a gap year to go travelling. I want to apply to LSE for next year, but I’m confused how the application process for them works as someone who has already achieved my exam results.

This is because the grades that I have achieved meet their entry requirements so if they were to make me an offer it would be unconditional, however, on their webpage they say that I need to provide them with proof of my qualifications. And that specifically, I need to provide them with “certified copies of my A-level results”.

I have a couple of questions I hope someone could answer for me:

1) What exactly is meant by “certified copies” and how do these differ from regular copies of certificates? Is it the same as the copy you get sent after Results’ Day or does it need to be signed or stamped by your exam centre? If so, how do you even get that done - it’s so confusing.

2) They say that they want the certified documents to be sent to them “directly from your school/institution”. This is confusing as I won’t be at school next year so how am I meant to get my school to send them these documents and why do they need my school to be involved anyway?

3) They say that you shouldn’t send them the copies by post but by email. So, does this mean they want scans of the certificates?

4) Finally, why do they need to go through all of this trouble? If I declare my UCAS qualifications on my account, couldnt they just check with UCAS to see if I’m right with the grades I declared or does UCAS not hold all that data?

You will receive official certificates for your exams from your exam centre in the coming months and they will want the scanned copies of these. I think because LSE is a fairly prestigious university they will have people trying to fake their exam results in order to get a place so getting the exam centre involved will help to prevent this from happening (UCAS does not hold all the data). There will be a UCAS lead at your school so I would try getting in touch with them ASAP as they will be the person best equipped to help you with all this.

I did my exams at a private test centre and they said that they don’t have any authority to verify certificates.

Recent quals can often be verified by UCAS as part of the application process. If not, LSE will tell you what you need to do.