Academic Programmes in East Asia

LSE has developed a range of academic programmes in East Asia, through collaborations with institutions at both the degree and non-degree level. The School has academic links and programmes in China, Japan, and Singapore.

There is also the facillity for student exchange and visits, through CEMS, between LSE's Department of Management and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; Keio University, Japan; and Korea University.

The School's strategy on academic links in East Asia is part of a broader strategy on internationalisation and partnerships managed by LSE Academic Partnerships.

Academic Programmes in China 

LSE has joined forces with a number of universities in China to offer a variety of collaborative teaching and research activities comprising Double Degree Programmes, joint research projects, PhD exchanges, teaching and training programmes, as well as conferences and workshops.

Peking University (PKU)

LSE-PKU Double Master Degree in International Affairs

This double degree programme was launched in 2005 with the first cohort starting their studies in September 2006. It offers an outstanding opportunity for graduate students and young professionals to gain a degree from both universities in a period of two years. The first year is spent at the School of International Studies at Peking University, studying the international relations of China and the Asia Pacific region. The second year is spent at the LSE, studying the theory and history of global international relations.

LSE-PKU Double Master Degree in Government and Public Administration

The first cohort of students began their studies on this programme in September 2011. The first year of the programme is spent in Beijing studying Chinese politics and various aspects of policy-making in China. The second year, in London, focuses on public policy, public administration, public management and comparative public policy. 

LSE-Peking University Summer School

The LSE-PKU Summer School started in 2004, with 61 students from 15 countries. In 2012 the programme had over 410 students from 50 countries, with the single largest number of students from China. The programme is modelled on the very successful summer school programme at LSE, with specific China and Asia related courses on the Beijing programme.

Executive Public Policy Training Programme (EPPTP)

The EPPTP was launched in 2006, as a partnership between LSE, Peking University, Columbia University, and Sciences Po, Paris. The programme is specifically developed for senior Chinese government officials, to develop their understanding and skill-set in public policy and policy making.

Each year around 50 officials from around China participate in the programme in Beijing, taught by academics from the four institutions.

PhD Exchanges

Since 2011 Peking University has participated in LSE's PhD mobility network, allowing for an exchange of PhD students between the 2 institutions. LSE students can apply for a bursary to cover some of their costs during a 2-3 months period of  PhD study at PKU.

Some LSE academic departments have departmental exchange PhD exchange agreements in place with their counterparts at PKU:

  • LSE Department of Government and the School of Government at PKU. For further details at LSE contact Prof. Paul Kelly.
  • LSE IDEAS (Diplomacy and Strategy @ LSE) and the School of International Studies at Peking University. For further details at LSE contact Dr. Svetozar Rajak

Fudan University

LSE-Fudan Double Master Degree in Global Media and Communications

The LSE-Fudan Double Masters in Global Media and Communications is a two year programme, which commenced in 2007-08. The first year of the programme is based at LSE's Department of Media and Communications, and the second year at Fudan University's School of Journalism.

Students who successfully complete the programme graduate with two master's degrees, one from each university. Students on the double degree programme also have the opportunity to study Chinese in London in their first year. During the second year at Fudan all academic courses are taught in English, and there are further courses on Chinese language and civilisation.

LSE-Fudan Summer Language Programme

The LSE Language Centre and Fudan University's School of International Cultural Exchange organised the first tailored Mandarin programme for LSE students in Summer 2012. The annual programme usually takes place from late July to mid-September, with 8 weeks of highly intensive Chinese language teaching. LSE students of Mandarin interested in this programme should contact Dr. Catherine Xiang at LSE's Language Centre.

Tsinghua University

Confucius Institute for Business in London (CIBL)

 In 2006, LSE launched the Confucius Institute for Business London, in partnership with Tsinghua University, Beijing. For further details on CIBL.

Academic Programmes in Japan

LSE works closely with a small number of leading universities in Japan on degree and non-degree programmes, and collaborative research. The examples below refer to institutional and department level programmes, rather than individual academic links and visits.

University of Tokyo

Dual Masters in Public Administration

From September 2015, the University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Public Policy became part of of the dual degree programme of the Global Public Policy Network, which includes LSE, Sciences Po, Hertie, National University of Singapore; and SIPA, Columbia. LSE and Tokyo students can spend up to one year at each other’s respective institution on the dual degree.

PhD Exchange

The LSE Department of Economic History is the lead department on a PhD exchange in economic history, economics and economic related themes with the Graduate School of Economics at the University of Tokyo. Up to two students per year can study, for up to one year, at the host university on a fee waiver basis. Interested LSE students should contact Prof. Janet Hunter or Dr. Brendan Smith.

Waseda University

PhD Exchange

Developed, from 2011 onwards, betweeen LSE's Department of International Relations and Waseda University's Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies, the fee-waiver programme allows up to 2 students to travel in either direction in a single year, for up to one year study. Interested LSE students should contact Prof. Chris Hughes or Dr. Brendan Smith.

Hitotsubashi University

LSE-Hitotsubashi Seminar Series

This institutional level seminar series takes place when respective academics are visiting London and Tokyo. Further details from Prof. Janet Hunter.

PhD Mobility

As part of an ESRC DTC funded PhD training programme LSE students have travel bursaries to go on research fieldtrips overseas, including to Hitotsubashi, while students from the latter can visit LSE (with a fee waiver) for a 3 month period.