School of Public Policy Careers

SPP students at LSE have access to a range of specialist services and events designed with their career directions in mind.

• Specialist careers seminars, including sessions on CVs and cover letters, career management, networking, interviews and advice specific to particular employment sectors.
• Careers discussions with LSE Careers Consultant for SPP students, Anne Clinton.
• Access to LSE Careerhub, with thousands of short-term and long-term opportunities including internships.

What’s more, all SPP graduates continue to have free access to resources and advice from LSE Careers for up to five years after graduation!

While not relevant for MPP students, or students on our executive programmes, we recommend that MPA students equip themselves with as much practical experience as possible during their degree.

An internship between the first and second years of the programme can provide valuable experience that both guides learning through the second year of the programme, as well as increasing job-related skills and employment opportunities.

MPA students can find internship opportunities on the LSE Careerhub. Previous MPA students have taken internships in a wide range of sectors including:

Public Sector

• Asian Development Bank
• EBRD
• Innovations for Poverty Action
• Intern-American Development Bank
• OECD
• World Health Organisation

Private Sector

• Asia Renewables
• Barclays IBD
• International Chamber of Commerce UK
• Monitor Deloitte
• Oxera

Research

• Cato Institute
• Centre for Economic Performance (LSE)
• Demos
• Public Health Foundation of India

Typically, around 75% of internships are paid or offer a stipend, most do not require similar previous experience or require a new visa.  

The combination of academic rigour and professional application of courses ar the School of Public Policy make them an attractive prospect to employers. 

Although SPP alumni choose a wide variety of careers options, the three main areas of occupational interest are:

• Private sector consultancy:  SPP students are often drawn to the public sector practice of consultancies where they are able deploy both their specialist public policy knowledge and the latest research skills. The annual Consultancy Fair is a great way to meet potential employers in this sector.
• NGOS and international organisations: the annual International Organisations Day is always popular with SPP students. Organisations such the United Nations and the World Bank are drawn to the excellent quantitative skills of SPP students.
• Public sector: There is often a strong connection between what students learn and the modern requirements of public sector organisations (whether this is specialist knowledge of public policy or particular relevant methodologies such as value for money reviews).