MG4J5      One Unit
Dissertation: Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship

This information is for the 2025/26 session.

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The dissertation gives an opportunity to deepen, apply and/or integrate the knowledge, insights and skills that the students have learned in the master's programme, by selecting one of two dissertation tracks: 1) an academic dissertation in which students develop a novel theoretical contribution to better understand an important empirical phenomenon in the domain of social innovation and enterprise, or 2) an applied capstone project, applying the knowledge, insights and skills students have learned in the programme to analyse – and develop compelling recommendations regarding a real world social problem for an existing organisation or enterprise or through the design of a new social enterprise. Each track will be anchored in theory and methodology/evidence to meet academic standards.

7 hours of seminars and 15 hours of lectures in the Autumn Term.
6 hours of workshops in the Spring Term.
15 hours of lectures in the Winter Term.

For each of the two tracks: A dissertation workshop (mandatory for all participants of the track) at the start of the Spring Term; 6 hours (maximum) depending on the number of theses in the track. Projects will be guided by a pool of dedicated supervisors for these dissertations. 

In its Ethics Code, LSE upholds a commitment to intellectual freedom. This means we will protect the freedom of expression of our students and staff and the right to engage in healthy debate in the classroom.

Students will be expected to produce – before the dissertation workshop – a dissertation proposal outlining the core question of the thesis (with sub-questions), a review/synthesis of relevant academic literature, the methodology for the study (qualitative or quantitative, sample selection, type of analysis, etc.). This proposal will be presented and discussed during the workshop. It will also serve as formative course work.

Core reading: Skovdal, M. & Cornish, F. Qualitative research for Development (currently students already study several chapters of this book as part of MG4G1). Additional readings will be announced before the start of the Winter term.

Dissertation (100%, 10000 words)

Dissertation topics are expected to be related to the broad subject area of the programme. 

For detailed assessment information, including all deadlines and timings, please see the relevant course Moodle page. Assessment timings will be available at the start of each term.