Overview
Introduction
The MSc Conflict and Culture in a Global Europe programme explores how culture and identity inform contemporary political conflicts, both violent and non-violent, in Europe and beyond.
You'll examine the role of culture, identity and ideology in the causes, manifestations and consequences of different types of conflict. You’ll also investigate how these factors shape approaches to conflict resolution and prevention at local, national, regional and global levels.
While studying Europe as a political and cultural space and as a global actor, you'll take a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach, using methods of investigation from political theory, philosophy, international relations, political science, sociology, history and economics.
A wide range of optional courses will allow you to explore particular types of conflict in greater depth. These might include domestic conflicts arising from identity politics in the context of populism and migration, or violent conflicts within and between states in Europe and beyond. We also offer courses that focus on democracy, multiculturalism, ideology and the state, migration, religion, Europe’s colonial heritage, post-conflict reconstruction and reconciliation, and many others.
Your choice of optional courses will enable you to tailor aspects of your studies to your academic interests and career goals, with opportunities to develop issue-based or regional and country-specific specialisms.
You'll critically examine cultural assumptions, ethical commitments and practical effects of political and normative contestations with culture at the heart of contemporary conflicts. The programme is also designed to develop your skills in academic research, analysis, writing and presentation, while connecting contemporary thinking on conflict with policy analysis and recommendations.
Graduates from this programme have gone on to work in consultancy, government, the public sector and policy, as well as in education, health and social care, and other international organisations. They've worked in organisations such as the European Commission, the UK Civil Service, and various governments around the world. Many of our students also pursue a consultancy career with graduates working at some of the world's largest consultancy firms such as Deloitte and KPMG (based on the HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2018/19 to 2023/24).
Preliminary readings
- Z Bauman Wasted Lives: Modernity and its Outcasts (Wiley, 2003)
- L Colley The Gun, the Ship and the Pen: Warfare, Constitutions and the Making of the Modern World (Profile, 2021)
- S Glendinning Europe: A Philosophical History, Part 1: The Promise of Modernity (Routledge, 2021)
- A Jäger Hyperpolitics: Extreme Politicization without Political Consequences (Verso, 2026)
- D Kostovicova Reconciliation by Stealth: How People Talk about War Crimes (Cornell University Press, 2023)
- A Pagden The Idea of Europe, from Antiquity to the European Union (Woodrow Wilson, 2010)
- R Scruton The West and the Rest, Globalization and the Terrorist Threat (Bloomsbury, 2003)
- N Urbinati Me, the People: How Populism Transforms Democracy (Harvard University Press, 2019).J White In the Long Run: The Future as a Political Idea (Profile, 2024)
- S L Woodward The Ideology of Failed States: Why Intervention Fails (Cambridge University Press, 2017)
Programme content
You'll take two (half-unit) semi-compulsory courses and complete a (one unit) 10,000-word dissertation. You'll also choose courses to the value of two units, from a wide range of options.
You'll take EU410 Interdisciplinary Research Methods and Design to prepare for the dissertation and attend EU450 Engaging with Europe: Professional Skills. EU450 is a programme designed for your professional development which offers additional training sessions, and thematic workshops throughout the year.
Year 1
Courses to the value of two units from a range of options
For the latest list of courses, please go to the relevant School Calendar page.
Why study with us
Discover more about our students and department.
Meet the department
The European Institute is a multidisciplinary centre for the study of European politics, economics and culture.
Founded in 1991, the institute is the UK's leading centre for the study of Europe, offering a range of master’s programmes and an extensive MPhil/PhD programme. Every year, we welcome more than 200 master’s and 30 doctoral students from all regions of the globe.
Our research spans four key themes – political economy, politics and policy, culture and society, and migration. Teaching and research draw on the expertise of staff from many different disciplines across LSE, including politics, economics and sociology.
The institute is outward facing. We run dozens of events each year, with workshops, seminars and presentations, welcoming high-profile speakers, including former presidents, prime ministers, foreign and finance ministers, distinguished scholars and influential commentators.
Internationally, we’ve forged close links with several partner institutions, including Sciences Po (Paris), Bocconi University (Milan), Fudan University (Shanghai), and Columbia University (New York) with whom we run double master’s programmes.
Why LSE
Russell Group University of the Year and 2nd in the UK
Times and The Sunday Times - Good University Guide 20271st in London for the 15th year running
The Complete University Guide - University League Tables 20275th in the world for the study of social sciences and management
QS World University Rankings by Subject 20266th in the world for leading the way in social and environmental sustainability
QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026Fees and funding
The table of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes.
You're charged a fee for your programme. At LSE, your tuition fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It doesn't cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.
Learning and assessment
How you learn
Within your programme you'll take a number of courses, often including half unit courses and full unit courses. In half unit courses, on average, you can expect 20-30 contact hours in total and for full unit courses, on average, you can expect 40-60 contact hours in total. This includes sessions such as lectures, classes, seminars or workshops. Hours vary according to courses and you can view indicative details in the Calendar within the Teaching section of each course guide.
You're also expected to complete independent study outside of class time. This varies depending on the programme, but requires you to manage the majority of your study time yourself, by engaging in activities such as reading, note-taking, thinking and research.
LSE is internationally recognised for its teaching and research, and therefore employs a rich variety of academic staff with a range of experience and status. You can view indicative details for the teacher responsible for each course in the relevant course guide.
Graduate destinations
Overview
The programme will provide you with a strong foundation for a variety of academic and non-academic careers, in the private or public sector at national, European, or global levels; foreign policy; journalism; education; working for activist organisations in the NGO sector; or working in specialised agencies concerned, for example, with migrants or minorities.
Further information on graduate destinations for this programme
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