FAQs about studying in the department

We currently host one undergraduate degree, eight twelve-month master's degrees and one PhD programme. You can find more information about each degree programme here.

We encourage our students to think critically and independently and the teaching techniques we employ are designed to encourage this. For taught programmes, most courses include both weekly lectures (where an overview of the week's topic and the key issues are outlined) and small seminars/classes where you have the opportunity to discuss your readings, explore issues in more depth and exchange and discuss ideas with your fellow students. Attendance is considered compulsory. Hours vary according to courses and you can view indicative details in the Calendar within the Teaching section of each course guide. Most of our teaching is interactive and requires active student participation and engagement.

MSc Sociology

The MSc Sociology programme provides rigorous and in-depth training in sociological theory, methodology, and key areas of sociological research.

2025/26 Programme Director: Dr Ursula Henz.

MSc City Design and Social Science

The MSc City Design and Social Science programme focuses on the relations between the physical and social organisation of cities and urban environments.

2025/26 Programme Director: Dr David Madden

MSc Culture and Society

The MSc Culture and Society programme gives you the opportunity to develop expertise in the social study of cultural processes. Its ethos emphasises tight integration of leading-edge cultural theory, innovative methodologies and attention to the most significant cultural trends and practices, globally and locally.

2025/26 Programme Director: Professor Sam Friedman

MSc Economy and Society

The MSc Economy and Society programme offers a flexible yet comprehensive introduction to the sociologies of risk and economic life, thereby providing a strong theoretical and methodological foundation for engaging in current discussions on the future of our societies.

2025/26 Programme Director: Dr Rebecca Elliott and Dr David Pinzur

MSc Human Rights

The MSc Human Rights programme is uniquely multidisciplinary and provides a concentrated year-long engagement with the foundations of human rights and key human rights issues.

2025/26 Programme Director: Dr Ayca Cubukcu

MSc Human Rights and Politics

The MSc Human Rights and Politics provides a rigorous year-long academic engagement with critical political issues faced by international human rights today.

2025/26 Programme Director: Dr Sara Salem

MSc Political Sociology

Political sociology is a subject with a long and distinguished history and a thriving contemporary debate. The MSc Political Sociology programme is designed to look beneath the day-to-day controversies of politics in order to explore the underlying forces that either promote or retard political and social change.

2025/26 Programme Director: Dr Robin Archer

MSc Inequalities and Social Science

The MSc Inequalities and Social Science programme is a comprehensive and wide-ranging programme, providing an introduction to a range of interdisciplinary approaches to the social scientific analysis of inequality.

2025/26 Programme Director: Professor Aaron Reeves

Find out more about the MSc Inequalities and Social Science programme and the International Inqualities Institute

Our minimum entry requirements for MPhil/PhD Sociology requires a Merit (65+) in a taught master's degree (or equivalent) in a related discipline and a 2:1 undergraduate degree or equivalent in sociology or another social science. We welcome applications for our research programme that complement the academic interests of members of staff at the School, and we recommend that you investigate staff research interests before applying.

Our students go into a wide variety of professions including teaching, research, politics, public administration, the media, social and health services, advertising, journalism, law, publishing, industry, accounting, marketing, personnel and management. Our LSE Careers service provides information on graduate destinations and you can use their info-graphic here.

Yes, each year LSE awards financial support to students. In addition to LSE's own funds, students may be able to access scholarships and financial support from governments and agencies around the world.

For undergraduate financial support,

For graduate financial support,

BSc: We do not accept applications for part-time study on our BSc programmes.

MSc: We will consider part-time study applications for our MSc programmes, but our programmes are demanding on a student's time, so it is not advisable to work full time whilst studying part-time. Please also be aware that part-time study is only available for students who do not require a student visa.

PhD: LSE’s MPhil/PhD programmes are designed to be followed full time by fully funded students. However, we recognise that certain circumstances, for example employment, health, disability, caring responsibilities, may necessitate your studying part time. If you wish to be considered for part time study, you should mention this in your personal statement, and discuss it in your interview if you are shortlisted. Please see more information .

No, the department will not be able to assist in reading or advising on any applications or statements from prospective students.

If you have not yet submitted your application, and have a question about a programme at LSE, you should contact in the first instance.

If you have applied and have a question about your application, please contact our admissions teams:

You can find more information about LSE’s Residences here.

You can find out more information on visa related advice here.

LSE broadly estimates that students should allow £1,400-£1,500 per month for all living expenses, including accommodation, travel, food, laundry, study costs, and other personal expenses. This will vary depending on your lifestyle and requirements, so it's important you do your own research. You can find more information .

As an LSE student, you will have the opportunity to participate in several extracurricular activities:

LSE Student’s Union (LSESU)

As an LSE student, you are automatically a member of LSESU and are represented within the School by LSE’s democratically elected student officials. LSESU offers many opportunities to immerse yourself in LSE’s student life – be it through 200 + student societies, 40 + sports clubs, affordable student bars and cafés or a multitude of charitable fundraising activities!

Volunteering and Charity

As an LSE student, you can participate in LSE’s rich volunteer culture through several ways:

• LSE Volunteer Centre
  Part of LSE Careers, the LSE Volunteer Centre advertises a range of regular and one-off opportunities within charities and not-for-profit organisations based in London and overseas. Students can also book one-to-one discussions for advice on finding a voluntary role.
• Raising and Giving (LSESU RAG)
  LSESU RAG is the fundraising arm of the Students’ Union and organises a range of activities to raise money for charities and causes that students have voted to support.
• Charitable Societies
  From Amnesty International to Student Action for Refugees to Sustainable Futures, LSESU has a plethora of charitable societies that enable students to raise the profile of global issues on campus.

Public Lectures

As an LSE student, you will have access to LSE’s world-famous public lecture series which features prominent figures from industry, academia and politics. These lectures are free to attend and happen most nights during term time.

Arts and Music

LSE has a vibrant cultural side and there is a wide range of arts activity to enjoy right here on campus. You can enjoy free weekly music concerts in the beautiful Shaw Library. There are also many works of art on campus and in our residences, and we regularly host exhibitions in The Atrium Gallery, on the ground floor of the Old Building.

For more details about getting involved click .

Some lecturers may choose to record their lectures whereas others may not. Lecture recordings are not guaranteed, and attendance is expected at all lectures.

Study abroad opportunities are available to undergraduate students as part of their time at LSE. However, please note tht BSc Sociology students wishing to undertake a study abroad year must take a year out of their programme in the Department of Sociology and any results achieved in the study abroad year will not count towards their final classification. You can find more information here. MSc students do not have the option to undertake a study aboard year as MSc programmes in the Department are only 12 months long.

Check LSE’s guidance on applying for a graduate programme here.

The amount of tuition fees you will need to pay, and any financial support you are eligible for, will depend on whether you are classified as a Home or Overseas student. For more guidance click .

You can find information regarding LSE’s open days here.

Students in the Department of Sociology are not required to complete any compulsory readings before the start of their programme. Offer holders may occasionaly receive recommended readings over the summer in case they wish to read some background materials.However, these are not compulsory or required to start the programme.

BSc Sociology students can take a langugae as their outside option in each of their three years. For those BSc Sociology students that undertake the same language each year, and take progressively harder levels each year, it is possible to graduate with a language specialism. For example, BSc Sociology with French.
We do not currently offer the opportunity for MSc students to take a language within their degree programme. However, the Language Centre does run non-degree language courses that both BSc and MSc students can take outside of their degree programme, and more information can be found here.