MSc Culture and Society

The MSc Culture and Society examines how cultural trends and practices shape and are shaped by society.

Drawing on leading-edge cultural theory and innovative methodologies, you’ll have the freedom to study and research any social processes that fall within our broad understanding of culture. You can delve into topics such as identity and globalisation, gender and sexuality, nature and more-than-human world, or disability and embodiment.

The programme is distinctive for its interdisciplinary and international approach. You’ll be encouraged to think and research globally and draw on our expertise in sociology, anthropology, material culture, media studies and many other disciplines.

The curriculum includes a blend of core and optional courses, allowing you to tailor your studies to suit your interests. You’ll also develop your qualitative research skills,enhancing your professional skills further.

Our students come from diverse backgrounds, including anthropology, history, cultural and media studies, international relations, the arts, design and the humanities. We also welcome numerous mature students with established careers, particularly in the media and cultural industries. Whatever your background, this degree helps you build a strong foundation in sociological approaches to cultural research.

When you graduate, you’ll be well-prepared for a career in academia, the creative industries, research organisations, or policymaking.

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• Appadurai, A. (1990) Disjuncture and Difference in the Global Cultural Economy. Theory, Culture and Society, Vol 7, 295-310
• Bourdieu, P. (1984) Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgment of Taste. London: Routledge.
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• Haraway, D. (2016) Staying with the Trouble: Making Kin in the Chthulucene. Durham: Duke University Press.
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• Jameson, F. (1984) Postmodernism, or the cultural logic of late capitalism. New Left Review 146, 53–92.
• Kafer, A. (2013) Feminist, Queer, Crip. Bloomington: Indiana UP
• Latour, B. (2004) Why Has Critique Run out of Steam? From Matters of Fact to Matters of Concern. Critical Inquiry 30 (Winter 2004), 225–248.
• McRuer, R. (2006) Crip Theory: Cultural Signs of Queerness and Disability. New York: New York University Press.

You take two compulsory courses, and choose courses from a range of options. You also write a dissertation of 10,000 words on an aspect of cultural practice or theory. You'll be advised on your choice of dissertation topic by your academic adviser, and that topic may be empirical or theoretical in its approach. You'll be appointed an individual adviser with a related research interest with whom you can meet regularly during term time.

The Department of Sociology conducts world-class research and teaching on some of the most challenging social and ethical issues facing society today.

Founded in 1904, our academics have contributed to shaping research and thinking in the field nationally and internationally.

We're committed to research and scholarship that is socially and politically relevant. The department’s research is organised into five clusters: economic sociology; politics and human rights; social inequalities; knowledge, culture and technology; and urban sociology. We engage in major debates at the intersection of economics, politics and society on issues such as migration, urban ecology and climate change.

With a thriving research community, we play an active role in several research centres and institutes, including LSE Cities, LSE Human Rights and the LSE International Inequalities Institute. Our research has a global impact, informing decision-making and policy for numerous governments, NGOs and international organisations.

Our research expertise is reflected in our teaching curriculum. The department offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, with 500 students engaged in learning and research at any one time.

We’re a lively department, with a regular programme of events involving workshops, conferences and collaborations with internal and external partners. We’re also home to the British Journal of Sociology, the UK’s leading publication in the field.

We're ranked first in the UK for Sociology in the Guardian University Guide (2026), and third in the Complete University Guide (2026).

Learn more about our programmes and research.

Explore the Department of Sociology

the Department of Sociology

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students. At LSE, we want to recruit students with the best academic merit, potential and motivation, irrespective of background.

We carefully consider each application and take into account all the information included on your application form, such as your:

• academic achievement (including predicted and achieved grades)
• statement of academic purpose
• two academic references
• CV.

See further information on supporting documents.

You may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. See our English language requirements.

Applications for this programme are considered on a rolling basis. This means that applications will close once the programme is full.

There is no fixed deadline. However, if you’d like to be considered for any funding opportunities, you must submit your application (and all supporting documents) by the funding deadline. See the fees and funding section below for more details.

For this programme, the tuition fee is different for home and overseas students depending on their fee status.

For this programme, the tuition fee is different for home and overseas students depending on their fee status.

All taught courses are required to include formative coursework which is unassessed. LSE uses a range of formative assessment, such as essays, problem sets, case studies, reports, quizzes, mock exams and many others. This is designed to help prepare you for summative assessment which counts towards the course mark and to the degree award. The courses are examined through formal written examinations, essays and other assignments. Your dissertation will also contribute to your final grade. An indication of the formative coursework and summative assessment for each course can be found in the relevant course guide.

Graduates have gone on to a diverse range of destinations including doctoral degrees, cultural policy and management jobs, teaching, creative industries (including advertising and marketing), performance arts and more.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

From CV workshops through to careers fairs, LSE offers lots of information and support to help you make that all-important step from education into work.

Many of the UK’s top employers give careers presentations at the School during the year and there are numerous workshops covering topics such as job hunting, managing interviews, writing a cover letter and using LinkedIn.

See LSE Careers for further details.