Dual MPA Degrees

This page is designed to provide you with up-to-date information on LSEs Dual MPA Degrees. You can also find information on these Programmes by visiting the websites of our partner institutions; SIPA, Sciences Po, Hertie and Lee Kuan Yew.

The Dual Degree involves studying for one academic year in London, on the LSE MPA degree, and for one academic year on one of the following four programmes:

•     the MPA at the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA),
      Columbia University, New York
•     the MPA at the Fondation Nationale des Sciences Politiques (Sciences Po), Paris
•     the MPP at the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin
•     the MPP at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKY),
      National University of Singapore (NUS)

How does the Dual MPA Degree admissions process work?

There is no direct entry into the Dual Degree Programme for prospective applicants to the MPA. To be eligible to apply for the LSE Dual MPA Degree Programme you need to apply, be accepted onto and commence studying at one of the Dual MPA Degree partner institutions.

For example, if you are accepted and commence your MPA studies at LSE, you will be given the opportunity early in your first academic year at LSE, to apply to spend your second academic year abroad at one of our MPA partner institutions, leading to graduation with the LSE Dual MPA Degree.

The application process is competitive and decisions on acceptance onto the Dual Degree Programme are made by the institution where students apply to spend their second year. While a high proportion of LSE MPA first year students who apply to spend their second year abroad are accepted, there can be no guarantee of a place at a particular partner institution.

Students who start at LSE

Students accepted onto and commencing studies on any stream of the LSE MPA (MPA Public and Economic Policy, MPA Public Policy and Management, MPA International Development, MPA European Public and Economic Policy) are eligible to apply to spend their second year abroad at any of our partner institutions.

As part of your application to the LSE MPA, you are encouraged, though not required, to articulate your interest in the Dual Degree Programme as part of your Statement of Purpose.

For information on how to apply to the LSE MPA Programme visit our FAQ's page.

Students who start abroad

Students accepted and commencing studies on the MPA at SIPA or Sciences Po are eligible to apply to enter the second year of the LSE MPA in Public and Economic Policy, the LSE MPA in Public Policy and Management, the LSE MPA in International Development or the LSE MPA in European Public and Economic Policy.

Students accepted and commencing studies on the MPP at Hertie are eligible to apply to enter the second year of the LSE MPA in Public Policy and Management or the LSE MPA in European Public and Economic Policy.

Students accepted and commencing studies on the MPP at Lee Kuan Yew are eligible to apply to enter the second year of the LSE MPA in Public Policy and Management.

For more information on how to apply to commence studies at our partner institutions, go to: SIPA, Sciences Po, Hertie and Lee Kuan Yew.

How many students are accepted onto the Dual Degree Programmes each year?

The number of students accepted to undertake the Dual Degree varies from year to year, depending on the level of interest from students at each institution. In 2010, 12-15 students are expected to go abroad to one of our partner institutions, having spent their first academic year at LSE. We expect a similar number to come in to the LSE MPA second year, having spent their first year abroad.

What happens if I apply to the Dual Degree programmes, and I am not accepted?

If you are admitted to LSE your offer will be for the 21 month programme. You are therefore automatically guaranteed a place in the LSE second year if you are not accepted onto the Dual Degree Programme.

Tuition fees

If you apply and matriculate through LSE, you will pay LSE fees in year 1 and the fees/tuition of SIPA, Sciences Po, Hertie or Singapore in year 2.  If any changes are made to this arrangement they will be communicated as soon as they are confirmed.

Current annual tuition fees: these are guideline figures only. For detailed fee information please visit our partner institution websites.

LSE MPA:  £16,920 (2010-11 figures)

Columbia MPA (tuition only):  $38,272 (2009-10 figures)

Sciences Po MPA:  €22,880 (2009-10 figures)

Hertie: €12,500 (2010-11 figures)

LKY Singapore: S$6,000 (2009-10 figures)

What are the differences in the curricula of the Programmes?

Most of the differences in the curricula can be seen in the second year of the programmes. All programmes have a capstone or equivalent professionally focused course, but these vary considerably between institutions. See The MPA Capstone Project  for further information on LSE’s MPA capstone, and visit the websites listed above for detailed information on the second year curricula of our partner institutions. LSE also requires Dual MPA Degree students who spend their second year at LSE, to complete the MPA 10,000 word dissertation.
 
See MPA Programme Structure for detailed information on LSE MPA curricula.

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