FAQs

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The key dates to remember are:

• Mid October - Applications will open for applicants for 2027 entry. (sign up to be notified when applications open)
• 25 January 2027 - Early applications deadline for MPA, MPP, MPA-DSPP programmes. You must submit a complete application for admission (including references, documents and application fee) by this date for consideration for SPP scholarships
• 8 February 2027 - Deadline to submit a GFSA form for consideration for SPP scholarships
• 22 April 2027 - Deadline to submit GFSA form for consideration for LSE Graduate Support Scheme (GSS) funding

The key admissions phases, as noted in the above image, are:

• October - January - Submit your application for admission. We accept applications on a rolling basis and applications will close once programmes are full. We receive the peak of our applications in January, so early applications are encouraged. Our double degree programmes have specific application deadlines, check our programme pages for more details.
• January - May - Submit documents to Graduate Admissions Office.
• February - July - Apply for LSE accommodation.
• April - June - Offer holder virtual events.
• May - Respond to your offer - We ask that you complete your admissions steps, make your deposit payment and respond to your offer to confirm whether you will be joining the programme by 31 May 2027 and let us know your circumstances if you require an extension for your decision.
• May - CAS issuing begins - from May onwards, full-time, unconditional offer holders who have accepted their offer, paid their deposit and completed the Financial Undertaking Form (FUF) will begin to receive their CAS.
• June - August - Online pre-arrival preparation materials available for all full-time SPP students. Additional online preparation classes for MPP students begin late August (details TBC).
• September - Programme starts.

You can find the answers to most admissions queries in the Graduate Admissions Knowledge base.

If your query is not answered on our webpages or on the GA knowledge base you can contact our SPP admissions team at spp.admissions@lse.ac.ukor schedule a zoom call. Please quote your LSE ID number and nature of your query in your e mail or booking.

You can find more information about our programmes and curriculum on our study pages.

Our programmes welcome students from a diverse range of academic and professional backgrounds including finance, law, international relations, economics, social sciences, NGOs, business and management.

We expect applicants to our programmes to have some professional experience or an interest in working in public policy. Applicants for our MPA can join without professional experience, although ideally they would have 1 year experience to benefit.

Applicants for our Master of Public Policy programme should have a minimum of five years of policy relevant professional experience.

If applicants have slightly less experience than specified we can consider their application, particularly if their professional experience is highly relevant.

We assess applications holistically, so professional experience will be assessed alongside the strength of the statement of academic purpose, academic background, and references.

You can view the entry requirements for each of our programmes by searching the specific programme on the webpage here.

The LSE School of Public Policy offers seven open-enrolment postgraduate degree programmes:

• Master of Public Administration (MPA)
• Master of Public Policy (MPP)
• Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA)
• Master of Public Administration in Data Science for Public Policy (MPA-DSPP)
• MPA/MGA Double Degree with University of Toronto, Munk School of Global Affairs
• MPA/MGA Double Degree with Columbia University, SIPA
• MPP/MPA Double Degree with Science Po, School of Public Affairs

Our programmes are designed with a particular emphasis on economics and focus on both theory and practical application. LSE is a world renowned social sciences institution with a leading School of Public Policy. Our individual programme pages provide all the information you need to compare programmes and decide which is right for you. We recommend you read the programme format, curriculum information, class profiles and student/alumni stories to get a better sense of the differences. These can all be accessed via our SPP study page.

Please see here a comparison between the degrees we’re offering: Compare Our Degrees

A wide range of professional, voluntary and intern experience can be relevant. The list below is a non-exhaustive, merely indicative list of some of the work and organisations that might be considered:

• Work for government agencies
• NGOs/non-profit organisations/some charity work
• Consulting/advisory roles
• Think tanks/lobbying/special-interest organisations
• Civil service roles
• Regulatory/legal/compliance work
• Economist roles
• Analyst roles
• Urban planning
• Education
• Development
• Some finance roles, especially those concerned with central banking, regulation or compliance
• Health services
• Defence
• Transportation
• Environment
• Many business or other private-sector roles can also, of course, be policy-relevant

Please don't be discouraged if your own experience does not feature in the list above. Selectors are open-minded, so make the case for its relevance in your statement of academic purpose.

Regretfully, we cannot give advice on whether your particular experience counts as relevant before you apply. Please be assured that the selection process is holistic, and Selectors are receptive to a very wide range of experience and professional preparedness for the study of public policy.

Please see here a comparison between the degrees we’re offering: Compare Our Degrees. We would also encourage you to view our student profiles and attend our upcoming information sessions to find out more about each of our programmes.

The entry requirements for each programme can be found on the respective programme pages: MPA / MPP / MPA Data Science / LSE-Toronto Double Master of Public Administration / LSE-Columbia Double Master of Public Administration / LSE-Sciences Po Double Master of Public Administration / Executive Master of Public Administration

You’re welcome to reach out to the SPP Admissions Team at spp.admissions@lse.ac.uk for further support, however, please note that we’re unable to pre-assess applications. If you have any particular concerns, we can advise on general matters; we won’t be able to advise on the likelihood of receiving an offer.

We welcome applications from individuals from a range of academic disciplines and professional backgrounds who can demonstrate a passion for public policy and making a positive impact. If you’re slightly below the entry requirements, we would still encourage you to apply. Your application will be considered holistically.

Please ensure you put together a strong application with a statement of academic purpose that follows the guidelines and appropriate referees. You can also submit an additional document in which you can explain the lower grades and any reasons for these, if appropriate.

Applications for our MPA, MPP, MPA in Data Science for Public Policy and LSE/University of Toronto, Munk School MPA/MGA double degree programmes have an early application deadline of 25 January 2027. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, meaning we will accept applications after this date and the programme will close once it becomes full. We receive a high number of applications early in the admissions cycle (from October to February).

In addition, to be considered for any SPP funding opportunity, you must have submitted your complete application, including all supporting documents and completed references by the funding deadline.

Applications for our MPA double degree with Sciences Po have a closing date of 7 February 2027. Any applications for this programme need to be made via Sciences Po admissions.

Applications for our MPA double degree with Columbia SIPA have a closing date of 17 March 2027, however we encourage early applications. Applications for this programme need to be made via LSE admissions and will need to be complete applications including all supporting documents and completed references.

You must submit an application online: How to apply. The Applicant Portal can be found here: LSE Online Application System

The application assessment fee is £95 and you can apply for up to two programmes at the same time.

As a minimum, you will need the following:

• transcripts/certificates for all your completed academic degrees or interim documents for the in-progress degrees
• two references (academic/professional, as appropriate)
• Statement of academic purpose
• CV

More information about supporting documents can be found here: Supporting documents

Yes. We normally prefer two academic references; however, it’s up to you to nominate the most suitable referees who are able to make the relevant comments about you. It is also not uncommon to submit professional references if you’ve been out of academia for five or more years. Please note that the Admissions Panel may ask for additional references if they deem this necessary.

Yes, they can use a personal email to begin with, however, should you receive a conditional offer, we will have to receive their letter again from a verifiable email address.

Even if you are required to take a test, this doesn’t have to be received with your application. Should you receive an offer, we will ask for a test at that time. To assess whether you need to take a test or not, please see the following website: English language requirements

If a test is required, for SPP, the B.Higher level must be reached. Individual scores can be found at the link above.

Yes. Please read the information on the following page and complete the form to be considered for a fee waiver: Administrative fee waiver

The waiting time is usually 8 weeks once your application is received as complete (submitted and all supporting documents provided, references included). Please note that at the beginning of the cycle, we don’t normally send decisions out until January, even if this is more than 8 weeks since you submitted your application.

Although we are not able to guarantee that a decision can be made early, please email us at spp.admissions@lse.ac.uk to provide us with more details about your situation.

The MPA double degree with Columbia SIPA has an application deadline of 17 March 2027 for the September 2027 intake. Applications should be made via LSE admissions. Applicants should submit a complete application including supporting documents and completed references by the deadline.

The MPA/MGA double degree with University of Toronto has a rolling application deadline, however we encourage applicants to apply as early as possible as there are limited spaces. Applications should be made via LSE.

The MPP/MPA double degree with Sciences Po has a deadline of 7 February 2027 for September 2027 intake at Sciences Po. Applications should be made via Sciences Po.

No. If you want to apply for our double degree programmes with Columbia SIPA, University of Toronto or Sciences Po, you will need to apply directly by selecting the relevant double degree programme title on your application form.

You cannot be considered for the Columbia SIPA, University of Toronto or Sciences Po double degree programmes by submitting an application to the LSE Master of Public Administration (MPA) programme.

To apply for the Sciences Po double degree programme, you will need to apply via Sciences Po application process.

Please not that as there is a fixed application deadline for the Columbia SIPA double degree programme, applicants will only be able to select this programme as their first choice on their application form.

LSE School of Public Policy also offers three Global Public Policy Network (GPPN) dual degree programmes which MPA students can apply for during their first year of study. The process is outlined on our GPPN dual degree webpages. Our GPPN dual degree partner schools and 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

Yes. Our double degree students will receive two degrees, one from each institution.

Yes. Our double degree students will receive invitations for graduation ceremonies from both universities.

Applications to double degrees are assessed on a monthly basis by a joint panel from both institutions. These programmes have a final deadline at which point no further applications will be accepted, but you should apply as early as possible to receive a timely decision. If you are unsuccessful, your second-choice programme will then automatically be considered by LSE and a decision issued within 8 weeks.

We offer three double degree programmes with partner universities Columbia SIPA, Munk School University of Toronto and Sciences Po. Applicants for these programmes will need to apply for these programmes at the point of application/admission.

We also offers three Global Public Policy Network (GPPN) dual degree programmes which MPA students can apply for during their first year of study. The process is outlined on our GPPN dual degree webpages. Our GPPN dual degree partner schools and 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

Note: Only MPA students are eligible to apply for the dual degrees. MPA DSPP and MPA double degree students are not eligible to apply for the dual degrees.

We have a range of student financial support reserved especially for SPP students in particular regions and are continuing to grow our scholarship offerings. You can find further details about eligibility and the application process on our SPP financial aid page.

LSE also offer a range of school-wide funding options. The main source of funding is the Graduate Support Scheme (GSS), which is also available for you to apply for by completing the Graduate Financial Support Application (GFSA) on the Graduate Applicant Portal (GAP). You should do so as early as possible (and in advance of the 22 April 2027 deadline).

Applicants that complete a GFSA application will automatically be considered for other (non-SPP specific) financial awards in the late Spring/early Summer.

You can find out more about LSE funding on . Information on how to apply can be found .

All applicants who would like to be considered for any of the SPP scholarship schemes must submit a complete programme application by 25 January 2027.

If you are eligible for an SPP scholarship and want to apply, you must complete the Graduate Financial Support Application (GFSA) by 8 February 2027.

We aim to communicate decisions regarding SPP scholarships by April 2027.

No. Applicants are only eligible to apply for the SPP scholarship awards at the point of admission to the programmes and are not eligible to apply once they are an enrolled student on the programme.

If you are unable to find the GFSA on your applicant portal, try following these steps:

1. Go to the page called "My Programme Choices"
2. Select to view your first choice (e.g. Master of Public Policy)
3. Scroll down to under the "My Documents" section and the form link should be there. It is titled "Graduate Support Scheme".

It would be up to the individual student to decide whether they can fit in working alongside a full-time programme, as well as noting any visa restrictions on the number of hours you can work.

You may also find some useful information about part-time working opportunities at LSE from this recent webinar and from LSE student blogs.

If you are interested in research assistant roles, there are no regular research assistant opportunities available at LSE, although occasionally academic staff might advertise short-term opportunities to students but this would depend on the academic staff member’s need for a research assistant at a particular time. We do sometimes receive details of short-term or summer opportunities and we have a weekly SPP Careers newsletter which is circulated to all students during term time.

LSE Careers also has an online vacancies board which all current LSE students can access but there aren’t regular employment opportunities on the programme or within the School of Public Policy.

Those who wish to continue to work alongside their studies and have over five years professional experience may wish to consider the Executive MPA programme which is taught in a modular part-time format.

Many of our students are happy to share their experience and connect with prospective students to talk about their experience. You can find out more about our students via our student profiles. You can also view interviews with our recent graduates and students on our YouTube channel.

We usually ask students guests to attend our online programme information sessions to discuss their student experience. Through the year we also hope to be running online student Q&A sessions for prospective students to hear more from our community and ask any questions. To find out more about upcoming information sessions please sign up for our mailing list.

If you have more general questions about student life at LSE or country specific queries, you can connect with the wider LSE student community via Unibuddy.

Please note that timetables, teaching and other programme activities vary across different academic departments and Schools at LSE, so students will only be able to provide advice based on their own experience. For specific programme, visa or admissions queries please attend the information sessions or contact the relevant support team at LSE.

You can find out more about our SPP student groups including the Association of Public Policy Students (APPS), the Womxn's Network and the Public Sphere Journal as well as our external networks including GPPN and MIINT on our Student Community page.

LSE also has a huge amount of opportunities for students including SU societies. You can find out more about life at LSE here.

You can find our more about student life in London here.

All information and useful links are available on our offer holder webpage. We will also be sending regular newsletters which will include opportunities to connect with us. Please mark us as a safe sender (spp@lse.ac.uk) to receive our emails.

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We encourage all offer holders to send your documents at the earliest point that you can and ideally by May to allow adequate processing time. CAS will be issued in May to full-time, unconditional offer holders who have accepted their offer and completed the Financial Undertaking Form (FUF).

You should keep track of your application status online, using your Graduate Applicant Portal. Your Graduate Applicant Portal is updated in real time to exactly match the information we hold in our database so that you can always see the current status of your application and any conditions or tasks for you to complete.

Common tasks are listed on page 8 of your Graduate Offer pack.

Your offer letter will include details about how and when you should accept your offer. We ask that you respond to your offer and make your deposit payment within six weeks from the date the offer is made. Find out more about Tuition Deposits and the process.

SPP asks that all offer holders confirm their final decision or notify the department of their circumstances for requiring an extension (e.g. time needed to confirm arrangements with your employer or funders) by 31 May.

However it is important that all offer holders confirm their offer conditions and final decision as soon as possible so that we can plan for pre-arrival preparation materials and welcome arrangements. Our offer holder engagement activities will commence from April.

You must meet the English conditions stated on your offer letter before you are allowed to register. If you fail to meet the minimum requirements, you should book another test and try to improve your scores.

If you are unable to take an alternative test, or you believe you can provide sufficient alternative evidence that you already hold the required level of English language ability, you may submit a request to the English language condition. These will be considered individually and you may still be asked to retake another test unless you are able to provide evidence of exceptional circumstances that will prevent you from fulfilling the condition in time.

We advise offer holders to book tests and submit waivers as soon as possible to avoid delay.

Yes you can join our SPP offer holder LinkedIn group to connect with fellow offer holders. We will also be hosting virtual events to connect our offer holders in due course.

Details will be shared with SPP offer holders from January 2027.

All offer holders will receive optional reading lists as part of their May offer holder news. These are not mandatory, but are a list of useful readings compiled by faculty for those offer holders who may like to do a bit of extra preparation.

All offer holders will be sent the self-directed online maths and statistics modulevia email around mid-June, and further details will be provided in the June SPP offer holder newsletter. The additional module is a recommendation for applicants with a less quantitative background and is also a useful refresher for all offer holders to help them to prepare for their studies.

Please note- the module is not a condition of your offer. Yo do not need to send any documents to us or upload any documents for this in the Graduate Application Portal (GAP).

Master of Public Policy - Introduction to Maths and Statistics

The course will begin in late August and run for five weeks.

The first three weeks will be online and the final two weeks will be in person at LSE as part of your welcome weeks on campus.

Information about your specific campus enrolment and programme start dates will be shared on your offer letter.

SPP programmes will have an on-campus enrolment and start date in early-mid September 2027. Please note that SPP enrolment and welcome period begins before LSE’s welcome period.

Our MPA DSPP programme will usually have a start date in early September and include a programming bootcamp as part of welcome activities.

You can find out about LSE term dates and closures here.

A conditional offer at LSE means that you must complete an academic condition and/or provide us with an English Language Test. An unconditional offer means that you don’t have to complete an academic condition or provide us with an English Test. You may, however, still have other tasks to complete, such as providing us with verifiable academic documents.

: For us to consider an academic document as verified, we need to receive it in one of the following formats:

- Directly from your institution, via email. We need a copy of your Transcript and Certificate to be sent to graduate.documents@lse.ac.uk directly from a verifiable institutional email address at your university.

- Via a verifiable digital service your university uses (e.g. HEAR, Parchment, etc). Please note that not all universities provide this service.

- Via QR code. Some Transcripts/Certificates have a verifiable QR code that we can access.

- If none of the above options is possible, please contact us at spp.admissions@lse.ac.uk to explain your situation.