SP403
Academic & Professional Skills Development for Social Policy
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Timothy Hildebrandt
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in Criminal Justice Policy, MSc in International Social and Public Policy, MSc in International Social and Public Policy (Development), MSc in International Social and Public Policy (Education), MSc in International Social and Public Policy (LSE and Fudan), MSc in International Social and Public Policy (Migration), MSc in International Social and Public Policy (Non-Governmental Organisations) and MSc in International Social and Public Policy (Research). This course is not available as an outside option to students on other programmes. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
Please note that this non-credit bearing course is only open to Social Policy students. All Social Policy Students are encouraged to choose this course as an option.
Available only to students on Social Policy Programmes.
Course content
The course will consist of a number of workshops in the AT focusing on the development of academic skills (e.g effective academic reading; academic writing; networking skills; time management); and in the WT focusing on the development of professional skills, and working in the Social Policy sector.
The course will complement students' academic studies and support them to get the most out of their courses and Programme; while also helping them to make the link between the skills and knowledge they develop during their time at LSE and the opportunities and requirements of a range of careers in Social Policy. The course is co-taught by the Department of Social Policy, LSE Life, the LSE Careers' Service and other relevant outside experts.
Teaching
15 hours of workshops in the Autumn Term.
15 hours of workshops in the Winter Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn and Winter Term.
The course will be delivered through a series of workshops, and may include associated tasks assigned to students' peer groups (assigned at the start of the academic year).
The course will be delivered in AT & WT
Assessment
This course is non-credit bearing, and there is no formal assessment. The course will complement students' other courses and support their assessments for those courses through academic skills development.
Key facts
Department: Social Policy
Course Study Period: Autumn and Winter Term
Unit value: Non-credit bearing
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 147
Average class size 2024/25: Unavailable
Controlled access 2024/25: NoCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Team working
- Communication