Applicants and General Enquiries
1. When should I send my application?
2. How can I check on the progress of my application?
3. Do I have to send two academic references? Can I send a work one instead?
4. What is the difference between doing a full-time and a part-time degree?
5. Do you offer distance-learning / online courses / evening and weekend study?
6. What are the fees?
7. Is there a "required" academic background or standard?
8. Do you interview students?
9. What do people do after doing a degree with you?
10. How is the academic year structured?
11. Does the European Institute have reading weeks?
12. How are the courses structured?
13. Where can I get more information on individual courses?
14. How many hours of study are involved?
15. What about supervision?
16. How big are classes?
17. What about accommodation?
18. Where is the department located?
19. Is there a separate study space for European Institute students?
20. I have more questions, what should I do?
Offer Holders
21. Do you hold orientation events?
22. How and when do I choose my course options?
23. Is there any reading I should do before I arrive?
24. Can I work/pursue an internship while studying full time?
Applicants and General Enquiries
When should I send my application?
We do not have a deadline for receiving applications, although once we have reached our target, the programme will be closed. Applications open in October for MSc and November for PhD, both for admission in the following September. You should send your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Make sure that you send your application to Graduate Admissions - do NOT send your application to the department as this will delay it. You may check to see which programmes still have places by visiting the Available Programmes page. Visit the Graduate Admissions webpage for further information on how to apply
How can I check on the progress of my application?
See Track Your Application.
Do I have to send two academic references? Can I send a work one instead?
If you graduated in the last five years you MUST supply two academic references. If you wish you may also submit a further professional reference. If you graduated more than five years ago you may supply one academic and one professional reference. Applicants who graduated more than ten years ago may supply two professional references if no academic ones are available.
What is the difference between doing a full-time and a part-time degree?
If you do the degree full-time, it will take 12 months and you will do courses to the value of four units (from October to September). If you do the degree part-time it will take 24 months as you will take courses to the value of two units each year (from October in academic year one to September in academic year two).
Do you offer distance-learning / online courses / evening and weekend study?
Distance learning is not an option we offer. Lectures and seminars will all take place on campus during the daytime Monday-Friday.
What are the fees?
Full details of fees information are available on the Table of Fees website.
Is there a "required" academic background or standard?
We have students from very different backgrounds - no specific subject is required. See Entry Requirements on the Graduate Prospectus website. If your first language is not English and if your previous degree has not been taught entirely in English, you will be required to provide evidence of your English language ability
Do you interview students?
No.
What do people do after doing a degree with you?
All sorts of things! Please see Career Prospects for information. Individual careers profiles of alumni can also be found under each Programme page.
How is the academic year structured?
The year is divided into three terms: Michaelmas (October to December), Lent (January to March) and Summer (April to July). For MSc students, a full unit course will run over Michaelmas AND Lent terms. A half-unit course will only run for one term (please note that half-unit courses are only available in one or the other term - they are NOT available during both terms). In the Summer Term there are usually revision classes in the first week, dissertation workshops in the second week and examinations usually take place in June. The dissertation is due at the end of August. Full term dates are available at Term Dates.
Does the European Institute have reading weeks?
Week 6 of both the Michaelmas and Lent terms will be classed as mixed reading weeks within the department, which means that while some courses will be holding pure reading weeks, other courses will be using the time to hold additional learning activities, such as research methods workshops.
How are the courses structured?
Usually each course will consist of one lecture and one seminar each week. These are usually between 90-120 minutes long and are spread throughout the week.
Where can I get more information on individual courses?
See Taught Masters on the LSE Calendar for rules and regulations for each degree, and Graduate Course Guides for further information on individual courses.
How many hours of study are involved?
Overall, if you are studying full time, you should expect to spend approximately 30 hours a week in academic study (this includes attending lectures, seminars and independent study), although that number will fluctuate according to course requirements.
What about supervision?
Each student will be allocated an Academic Adviser at the beginning of the year. This may change from term to term, depending on staff availability. Students are free to, and encouraged to, approach any member of academic staff for discussion. You will be allocated a Dissertation Supervisor suited to your chosen dissertation topic during Lent Term. This may be a different person to your Academic Advisor. You will have until the end of Summer Term to discuss your Dissertation with your Supervisor. There will be no supervision once Summer Term ends.
How big are classes?
Although lectures can be very large as all students taking the course attend these, classes or seminars are usually held to a maximum of 20 people.
What about accommodation?
Full details are available at Accommodation.
Where is the department located?
The European Institute is based in Cowdray House, on Portugal Street. Lectures and seminars take place in various locations around the campus. A campus map can be found here.
Is there a separate study space for European Institute students?
The department has access to two European Institute only study rooms, one for MSc students and one for PhD students.
I have more questions - what should I do?
Please email europeaninstitute@lse.ac.uk if you have a general question that has not been covered here.
Further questions about the application process and requirements can be answered at Admissions Enquiries.
Offer Holders
Do you hold orientation events?
Welcome Week takes place the week before week 1 of Michelmas Term. Events are held across the LSE and Student Union as well as within the department for MSc and PhD students. Details are circulated to offer holders in the weeks running up to the start of term and can also be found here. It is highly recommended that you attend as many Welcome Week events as possible so that you can gain a good understanding of what to expect from your studies, as well as meet your fellow students and the academic staff.
Is there any reading I should do before I arrive?
Preliminary reading lists are circulated to all offer holders in the month preceding the start of term. It is up to you how you access these books. If you have received an offer letter from LSE you can arrange temporary access to the LSE Library.
How and when do I choose my course options?
During Welcome Week you will attend a Course Options Fair where you will be given the opportunity to speak to each of the Course Convenors personally. At the beginning of the year you are encouraged to attend all those courses that you are interested in. You have three weeks to make your final decision and register for your final choice. You are recommended to discuss your course choices with your Academic Advisor. The process is repeated at the beginning of Lent Term for courses that run then.
Can I work/pursue an internship while studying full time?
Please see the school recommendations regarding working while studying.