FAQs

• Applications open in October for MSc programmes and November for our MPhil/PhD in European Studies, both for admission in the following September.
• We do not have a deadline for receiving applications, although once we have reached our target, the programme will be closed.
• 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.

• See Track Your Application.

• For the most current information on references, please visit the Graduate Admissions Knowledge Base.

• Full details of fees information are available on the Table of Fees website.

• Week 6 of both Autumn and Winter 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.

• Full details are available at Accommodation.

• The European Institute is based in Centre Building, on Houghton Street. Lectures and seminars take place in various locations around the campus. A campus map can be found here.

• The department has access to two European Institute only study rooms, one for MSc students and one for PhD students.

• Check out LSE Careers' Graduate Outcomes tool where you can find out early career information about our graduates by programme of study.
• You can also explore our collection of Alumni in Focus blogs to learn more about our incredible graduates' journeys at the European Institute and beyond.

• 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

• For more information about our programmes, please check out the "Programme Content" tab of your programme of interest.
• You can explore course options by viewing the 2025/26 programme regulations for taught master's programmes - Please note these are subject to change for your year of entry.

• You can check out our programme videos featuring MSc Programme Directors and alumni, as well as additional student stories on our Study at the European Institute playlist.
• We also strongly encourage you to watch the student vlogs produced by our EI Student Content Creators on our Experience the European Institute playlist and on Instagram and TikTok for a true insight into what it's like to study at the European Institute – from life at LSE and London, to career development opportunities and more!
• We've also just launched a monthly LinkedIn newsletter, the EI Dispatch, featuring highlights across our research, education, and public engagement which will give you insight into the activities of our department.

• Visit our Supporting Documents page for information on what you will need to include with your application, including references, and your Statement of Academic Purpose.
• Check out the Graduate Admissions Knowledge Base for any questions regarding eligibility, transcripts, visas, etc.

Below are links to the key funding options available to our students:

• Graduate Support Scheme
• European Institute Master's Scholarships
• School-wide funding opportunities

• No.

• The year is divided into three terms: Autumn Term (October to December), Winter Term (January to March) and Spring Term (April to August).
• For MSc students, a full unit course will run over Autumn AND Winter 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).
• Please find the official Term Dates on our website. You can also learn more about Student Life in the European Institute specifically.

• 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.
• 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.

• If you do the master's 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 master's 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). Students also have the option to take up to 2.5 units in one of the years.

• See Taught Masters on the LSE Calendar for rules and regulations for each degree (or our Course Selection page), and Graduate Course Guides for further information on individual courses.

• Although lectures can be very large as all students taking the course attend these, seminars are usually held to a maximum of 17 people.

• Distance learning is not an option we offer. Lectures and seminars will all take place on campus during the daytime Monday-Friday.

• Each student will be allocated an Academic Mentor 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 Winter Term. This may be a different person to your Academic Advisor. You will have until the end of Spring Term to discuss your Dissertation with your Supervisor. There will be no supervision once Spring Term ends.
• For more information about student support, please visit our Student Life page.

• Explore our list of potential PhD supervisors and postdoctoral fellowship mentors at the European Institute.
• For more information the European Institute's research themes and academics, please visit our Research page.

• We encourage you to check out the Graduate Admissions Knowledge Base for any questions regarding eligibility, references, and research proposals, as well as our programme video which features tips and insights from our Doctoral Programme Director and students.

• We receive on average about 50 applications and generally offer 3-4 places per year for our Studentships and ESRC Fellows, depending on funding.
• We also welcome applications from students who self fund, or who have secured their own funding independently.
• We have a community of around 20 PhD students enrolled overall each year who sit together in our dedicated PhD study area/office.

• Yes, you can apply while still doing your master's degree. However, since the deadline for securing funding is in January of your master's degree before you are likely to have completed your dissertation, most students choose to apply the year following their master's degree to be able to inform their research proposal with the research and findings from their thesis.

• Most of our PhD students are either on:

1. An LSE Studentship, which is tenable for four years and covers full fees and an annual stipend, which for 2025 entry was £22,780.
2. Or the ESRC Fellowship, which covers full fees (for overseas students, LSE will cover the difference between UK and overseas fees) and an annual stipend, which for 2024/25 entry was £21,237.

• Please visit our website for more information on scholarships, studentships, loans, and tuition fees.
• Please note that the application deadline for guaranteed consideration for LSE PhD Studentships and ESRC funding is 14 January 2026.

• Yes, there are opportunities within LSE to work as a class teacher, as a research assistant, or in administration.
• Opportunities are varied and made available to students as they arise. Some of our PhD student do outside work, as well.

• Yes, students can switch to part-time studies after the first year if they need to. It's a good idea to give some thought to this before you apply, but if you do need to switch, then that is an option.
• Students may also be admitted as part-time while they work, but they do need to be based in the UK at the start of their studies.

• Discover the research and career destinations of our recent European institute PhD graduates here.