How to Apply

Sitting in the room, I feel I am able to draw from a wealth of experience and knowledge from different professions and from across the world.

The Executive MSc in Cities welcomes applications from experienced working professionals based in any location who are committed to leading large-scale change in cities.

Our alumni include senior city officials, architects, politicians, entrepreneurs, property developers, urban designers, city planners and academics. However, we will consider applications from all experienced professionals who want to understand and deliver change in cities.

Competition for places at LSE is strong. So, even if you meet the minimum entry requirements, this does not guarantee you an offer of a place. However, please don’t feel deterred from applying – we want to hear from all suitably qualified students.

When to apply?

While we operate a rolling admissions process throughout the year, we encourage applicants to work towards our soft deadlines to help plan their application. Please note that the programme will close once it is full, so we strongly recommend applying early to avoid disappointment.

If you wish to be considered for a scholarship, your programme application must be submitted by the relevant deadline:

Round 1: 31 January 2026

Round 2 (Full Scholarship*): 1 April 2026

Round 3 (Partial Scholarship*): 1 June 2026

Round 4: 1 August 2026

*Please ensure you have also submitted a scholarship application by this date. Visit our page on Fees & Funding for more information.

A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in an urban related public/private/third sector, or another sector is required. We will also consider applicants with a similar level of experience who wish to move into the urban sector.
Upper second class honours (2:1) first degree or equivalent in any discipline or equivalent professional qualification.
You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency. LSE requires a higher level of English language proficiency than for standard graduate programmes. Although you don't need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE.

Please note that the Executive MSc in Cities does not have a GRE/GMAT requirement.

If you are unsure whether or not you meet these requirements, please get in touch. Email us your CV or your LinkedIn profile to emc.lsecities@lse.ac.uk.

All applications to the programme are made through the LSE Online Application System. We carefully consider each application and consider all the information included on your application form. In addition to the form, you will need to provide:

University transcript and degree certificate: You will need to provide a degree transcript and certificate for each degree you list on the application form.
Personal statement: This should provide a brief overview of your background and outline your reasons for joining the programme. Please keep it to two pages or less.
Names and contact details for two references: either both professional, or one professional and one academic.
CV or resume: outlining your professional experience to date in chronological order

See further information on supporting documents.

There is a non-refundable £95 application fee payable at the time of submission via credit or debit card.

After you've submitted

Graduate Admissions typically processes applications within 5–10 working days.
The programme team aims to make a decision within four weeks of receiving your application.
While you wait to hear from us, you’ll receive an email to activate your LSE For You account, where you can track your application status and view offer conditions in the Graduate Application Portal.

This section provides key guidance to help you navigate the application process efficiently:

Scanned copies of your degree certificate(s) and transcripts showing marks will suffice for your application. However, if you are made an offer, you will need to provide official versions for each degree you listed on your application. This will involve asking the awarding institution to send copies of your transcripts directly to the LSE Admissions Team.
You do not need an English Language Test score for your application. However, you may be asked to provide one if you are made an offer.
The personal statement is referred to as a Statement of Academic Purpose on the LSE application form and is a vital part of your application. It gives programme selectors a sense of who you are beyond your CV and helps us understand your motivations for applying. We recognise that many applicants may not have engaged in academic writing for some time, and that’s absolutely fine. Use the statement to tell us about your professional experience, the challenges or opportunities you’ve encountered in your work, and what has led you to pursue the Executive MSc in Cities. You should also explain how you hope to apply what you learn, whether to advance your career, contribute to your organisation, or drive change in your city or region. Think of the statement as a narrative that connects your experience with your future goals. Be honest, specific, and reflective. There’s no need to use academic jargon, just focus on clearly communicating your story and aspirations. Be sure to keep the statement to two pages or less.
Follow up with your referees to ensure they respond promptly to reference requests. Your application cannot be processed until both references are recieved.
Your referees will need to be verified if you are made an offer. Ask your referees for their work email addresses (e.g. name@company.com) for faster verification.
Be sure to click submit.
If you plan on applying for a Scholarship, you must have submitted your programme application by the respective deadlines. The deadline for a full scholarship is 1 April. The deadline for our partial scholarships is 1 June.