LSE – PKU Double MSc Degree in International Affairs

About the MSc programme

Organised jointly by LSE and Peking University, this double MSc degree offers an outstanding opportunity for graduate students and young professionals. 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 LSE, studying the theory and history of global international relations. It offers the following benefits:

• gaining an insight into international affairs through studying at the best universities in the social sciences in China and in Europe
• while at LSE, courses in the Departments of International History and International Relations
• combining an empirical and a theoretical approach to contemporary international affairs
• engaging at an advanced level with the latest academic research and undertaking your own research-based term work and dissertation

Programme details

At Peking University, students take a core course on Chinese Politics and Diplomacy and can select other courses among the wide variety on offer in the School of International Studies. Students can choose among courses taught in English and in Chinese. They complete the first year programme by writing and defending a dissertation on a topic relevant to their studies. The dissertation can be written in English or in Chinese.

At LSE, students take core courses in both the Departments of International History and International Relations, take a third course from the wide range of options offered by the two Departments, and complete the programme with a dissertation on a relevant topic in international history.

Course assessment is by assessed coursework (in some courses) and by a final exam.

Year one: PKU

Students are required to achieve 22 credits plus finish and defend a dissertation while studying at Peking University in the first year. Please note: The PKU dissertation does not count towards any credits at PKU but it is compulsory. Students cannot progress to year two at LSE without successfully completing year one at PKU.

Compulsory courses

• Chinese Politics and Diplomacy
• Dissertation and Oral Defence (the dissertation can be written either in Chinese or English)
• Chinese language (for international students)
• Applied English for Chinese students

Students will be expected to choose five courses from a range of options.

Year two: LSE

Course choice and acceptance into specific courses depends on the availability of courses in a given year, staffing resources, the number of seminars offered for a particular course and student demand.

Compulsory courses

• Crisis Decision-Making in War and Peace 1914-2003 examines the history of international relations from the First World War to the Iraq War.
• Dissertation.

Students will be expected to choose courses to the value of two units from a range of options.

You can find the most up-to-date list of optional courses for LSE-PKU Double MSc Degree in International Affairs in the Programme Regulations section of the current School Calendar.

You must note however that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, some circumstances may cause the School to subsequently change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to circumstances outside of its control. You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee places on its courses. You should visit the School's Calendar, or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the Updated graduate course and programme information page.

Graduate destinations

The programme provides an excellent preparation for careers in academia, business or consulting, government or international agencies, the media, politics and law.