Master of Public Administration

The skills I gained during the MPA have greatly impacted the way I approach my work. From approaching donors, to designing and implementing new projects and evaluating results, I apply analytical tools and thought processes that help me understand challenges bottom-up and top-down

Anastasia Sikiaridi, MPA Class of 2017

The programme combines methodological discipline and practical application, giving students the opportunity to develop foundation skills in empirical methods, political science and economic analysis. Students will then apply their skills to real-world scenarios through completion of a six-month Capstone Project with an external client.

Graduates will be equipped with the analytical and professional skills to effectively understand and address the challenges of contemporary governance and make an immediate impact for employers in public, private and non-profit organisations around the world.

Key features:

Academic core skills (Year 1) - rigorous empirical training, particularly in micro- and macro-economics, political science and quantitative methods of analysis.
MPA Capstone (Year 2) - an opportunity to work on a real-world policy challenge as part of a six-month consultancy style project hosted by an external client.
A broad curriculum - allows you to identify your key interests and strengths from core-courses and a range of option courses (electives).
Choice of specialism (Year 2)- an opportunity to choose a specialism to be a part of your degree title.
A global outlook – be a part of LSE’s international community as well a network of prestigious policy schools around the world as part of the Global Public Policy Network (GPPN).

Start date	September 2023
Application deadline	None – rolling admissions however we encourage applicants to apply as early as possible. Please also note the funding deadlines
Duration	21 months full-time only
Applications 2021	538
Intake 2021	84
Tuition fee	Year one: £28,512 (2023/24 entry) (Fees are subject to change until 12 December 2022) Year two: £28,512 (2024/25, continuing students)
Financial support	Graduate support scheme (see 'Fees and funding')
Minimum entry requirement	2:1 degree or equivalent in any discipline. There is no formal requirement for previous professional work experience, but students starting the MPA normally have one year of professional experience and many have two or more years of experience.
GRE/GMAT requirement	None
English language requirements	Higher (see 'Assessing your application')
Location	Houghton Street, London and optional study abroad locations

Apply for the MPA by using the online application system. You must also submit your supporting documents via the online application system.
The application code for MPA is L2UN.

As part of the application process you will need to submit:

Two references
Personal statement
Résumé or CV

The MPA attracts a highly diverse range of students from all over the globe. Our current class represent 34 nationalities.

There is no formal work experience requirement to study the MPA, however it is a professional degree with students having an average of three years' working experience. Their combined experience encourages a mature and reflective approach to study that draws on professional skills and experience gained prior to the MPA.

This diversity is a major strength, providing many different national, economic and societal perspectives to problems and solutions of public policy.

View our 2021/2 class profile (year 1 and 2).

Detailed curriculum information can be found in the 'Programme structure and courses' section of the MPA admissions pages.

Preparation

Preparation before your arrival

Prior to your arrival at LSE you will receive details about optional readings and online learning materials which are designed to help you to prepare for the programme.

MPA Welcome & Introductory Teaching

From mid-September (exact date TBC) you will need to attend MPA Welcome events and introductory teaching sessions. These will take place prior to the start of the LSE Michaelmas term dates. The welcome sessions include campus enrolment, a programme introduction and compulsory introductory teaching in mathematics and statistics.

If you have not studied mathematics and statistics for some time, the MPA introductory teaching provides a challenging but accessible introduction to some of the key skills and techniques required for the degree. For other students, it serves as a refresher course.

First year

Compulsory courses

In the first year, you will take three compulsory courses, in micro- and macro-economics, political science for public policy and quantitative approaches and policy analysis. These provide a rigorous foundation to support you in your second year.

Optional courses

In addition to your required core courses, you will take full unit or half-unit option courses (electives). The SPP offers a wide range of courses as options.

You can review this current year’s (2022/23) option list here.

Second year

The two key features of the second year are the MPA Capstone, and the option to choose a specialisation to be a part of your degree title.

You will also choose a range of option courses (electives) from the School of Public Policy (or elsewhere to in LSE).

First year MPA students have the option to apply to complete a dual degree with one of three partner schools from the Global Public Policy Network of top policy schools:

The SPP's dual degree international partner schools and their corresponding programmes are:

The MPP at the Hertie School, Berlin's University of Governance
The MPP at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKY), National University of Singapore
The MPP at the Graduate School of Public Policy (GraSPP) at the University of Tokyo

The application process takes place during Year 1 and further information will be provided during the first term.

Successful applicants will spend their second year of study at one of the above partner institutions and will receive two degrees: one from LSE, and one from the partner institution at which they studied.

Find out more about GPPN dual degree

LSE SPP also offers three double degree programmes with Toronto University, Sciences Po and Columbia SIPA. Applicants for the double degree programmes will need to apply via the standard school admissions process. You can find out more about the double degree programmes and the application process here.

The best part of the SPP was my classmates: smart individuals from all around the world with diverse backgrounds and levels of expertise, each always ready to share with and learn from the rest.

Victoria Suarez Rubio, MPA Class of 2021

Parliamentary Assistant at the Cabinet of MEP Luis Garicano at the European Parliament

Read profile

I gained the confidence to branch out into new areas, and loved doing the research for my dissertation which helped me to discover new interests and possible life paths.

Oluwagbemileke Joy Jegede, MPA Class of 2020

Ecosystems Research Lead for the Government of Sierra Leone in the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation

Read profile

I am now equipped with the necessary theoretical and empirical skills to engage in rigorous analysis of public policies.

Akash Mehta, MPA Class of 2020

Environmental Analyst for the World Bank

Read profile

Studying at the LSE School of Public Policy is an excellent career decision with employers across the globe attracted both to the intellectual rigour and the practical applications of our curriculums.

Throughout your studies and beyond you will have support to navigate your career journey and achieve your goals.

Find out more about LSE Careers and SPP Careers support.

Our graduates go on to pursue careers in a wide range of sectors with popular destinations including; Government and Politics, Consultancy, Financial Services, NGOs & Charities, Data, Research & Think Tanks, International Development and Aid, Public Policy, and International Finance and Trade.

Find out more about our alumni and their career journeys after graduation.

LSE and SPP Speaker Series

LSE's SPP is a hub of global debate which attracts expert guest speakers from around the world. Discover more about our events and podcast series where experts come together to debate some of the world's most pressing policy challenges.

Discover more about SPP's guest speaker series and catch up on past events.