Overview
Introduction
Designed for mid-career professionals with more than five years experience, this intensive nine-month programme brings together a global cohort to develop new perspectives and explore approaches to policy through theory and practical training.
With an emphasis on developing an understanding of the components which form the craft of government, you’ll delve into topics such as policy analysis, economics and political science, drawing on world-leading expertise from across LSE. You’ll also develop your understanding of the public management profession, and the tools and approaches needed to enhance and reform public service provision. The broad-ranging curriculum gives you the flexibility to specialise in your chosen area of interest.
The Master of Public Policy (MPP) attracts students from many different nationalities and professional backgrounds. So, you’ll study alongside peers with diverse policy experience – providing a rich learning experience to develop a truly global perspective on policy.
You’ll also benefit from the School of Public Policy (SPP)’s emphasis on placing policy in practice through our regular seminar events with policy practitioners, and our Professional Skills Accelerator as well as SPP alumni career Q&As and mentorship scheme. This enables you to apply your learning to real-world scenarios and extend your professional network.
Our graduates return to their professions equipped and confident to take on complex policy challenges in government, NGOs, think tanks and international organisations.
LSE is rated number one in the UK for Social Policy (Good University Guide 2024). We were also awarded the highest UK ranking for research in the field of social policy in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (2021). So, you’ll be studying in a vibrant, highly rated research environment.
Entry requirements
- Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in any discipline.
- Applicants must have at least five years of policy-relevant experience, though exceptions may be granted for outstanding candidates with slightly less experience.
Please select your country from the dropdown list below to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.
Who should apply?
We welcome applications from individuals from a range of academic disciplines and professional backgrounds (with at least five years experience) who can demonstrate a passion for public policy and making a positive impact.
Excellent candidates will possess a strong academic record and be able to demonstrate a commitment to public service as well as a clear understanding of the MPP and how they'll benefit from the programme.
Whilst the MPP programme is designed to provide rigorous training in areas of econometrics and quantitative methods, there will be opportunities for individuals with less experience in these areas to develop or refresh their skills via online learning materials prior to the programme starting.
Overseas
English language requirements
The English language requirement for this programme is Higher. Read more about our English language requirements.
Competition for places at LSE is strong. So, even if you meet the minimum entry requirements, this does not guarantee you an offer of a place.
However, please don’t feel deterred from applying – we want to hear from all suitably qualified students. Think carefully about how you can put together the strongest possible application to help you stand out from other students.
Programme content
Curriculum overview
The MPP has a core curriculum of economics, political science, quantitative methods and philosophy for public policy, combined with an in-depth review of contemporary theories and practice for the management of public organisations. It's these skills and competencies that you will need to take you to the next step in your career in public policy.
The core courses of the programme all apply leading scholarship to policy-making, thus ensuring your immersion in the richest and most innovative research in the field. The MPP has been developed to harness LSE's expertise across these disciplines and fields central to public policy.
This degree will provide you with a unique understanding of the complex challenges of contemporary governance, providing a real-world context to the policy-making skills you will develop.
Preparation before your arrival
Prior to your arrival at LSE you'll receive details about optional readings and online learning materials which are designed to help you to prepare for the programme. These will be particularly helpful for individuals who want to develop or refresh their quantitative skills prior to starting the programme.
Welcome and Introductory Teaching
From mid-September (exact date TBC) you'll need to attend MPP Welcome events and introductory teaching sessions. These will take place prior to the start of the LSE Autumn Term dates. The welcome sessions include campus enrolment, a programme introduction, and various introductory and practical sessions covering different opportunities and available support for your time at LSE.
Year 1
The programme consists of four units in total – including three units of core courses, listed below, and a further one unit of options courses from a range of courses from within the School of Public Policy. This combines a fundamental grounding in core disciplines that are central to public policy, and allows you to tailor your options to your own interests and career goals. Some of the option courses will require prior study in economics, and would require the permission of the Course Convenor. Indicative options are listed below.
View the programme structure (image)
Political Science for Public Policy: on this course you'll learn how to understand and analyse empirically the political context of policymaking. This will include how political behaviour (such as voting behaviour, elections and lobbying), interacts with political institutions (such as electoral systems, different models of government or central banks) to create political outcomes (such as economic policies, development aid and ethnic conflict).
Quantitative Methods for Public Policy: this course will introduce you to some of the key principles and tools of quantitative evaluations which underpin policy interventions and outcomes. The emphasis is on the practical application of these tools to real-life situations, including the difference between correlation and causality, the use of randomised experiments, and understanding of how and when difference-in-differences regressions can be effectively used.
Public Management: this course offers an intensive introduction into key literatures and themes in the study of public management. Applied to both developed and lesser developed world contexts, you will learn about public sector reform, coordination and collaboration, bureaucracies, professionalism and motivation, performance management, crisis management, leadership, institutional capacity building, cutback management and organisational learning. Your teaching will be paired with insights to the success, or otherwise, of different models and approaches.
Economics for Public Policy: on this course, you'll learn the key principles of economic policy-making. Both micro- and macro-economics will be covered, including price theory, understanding markets, externalities, public goods, principal-agent problems, economic growth, inflation business cycles, unemployment, and fiscal and monetary policies.
Public Policy Applications: this course will introduce students to the application of social science literatures to concrete policy issues. The course will be organised around topics which are being actively discussed in both the policy and academic spheres/realms/domains. This course will emphasis illustrating how different theoretical and disciplinary approaches analyse a particular policy topic and problem. The precise policy topics will be decided each year, depending on the academic and practitioner availability. We attract from either the cutting edge of a particular research topic or those who are working directly on a topic area.
Philosophy for Public Policy: this course has been designed to help you develop the skills and insight to apply philosophical reasoning to your understanding and practice of the "craft of government". It includes a strong grounding in moral and political philosophical principles and emphasises their application in modern policy-making toolkit. You'll study a range of philosophical theories and concepts, then discuss and learn to evaluate them by focusing on specific policy proposals. Taught by leading LSE philosophers, the emphasis is on applying theory and concept in practical and policy-relevant ways.
Option courses (electives)
You'll also select courses to the value of one unit from a range of options.
Select courses to the value of one unit from a range of options
Why study with us
Discover more about our students and department.
Meet the department
The School of Public Policy aims to equip the next generation of policy and political leaders with the skills needed to improve people’s lives and transform societies.
The School is at the heart of LSE – ranked the top university in London and sixth in the world for social science and management subjects. Situated in the centre of a global city, LSE is the perfect place to study and contribute to public policy debates.
Our programmes enable students to develop rigorous and empirical skills underpinning evidence-based policymaking. Students learn how to apply these skills to real-world problems and contexts.
We have an inclusive, diverse community, open to enquiring minds. From small beginnings, the School of Public Policy now has a thriving community of more than 400 students taking a wide range of degrees.
Public policy and public service are the founding missions of LSE – which was created in 1895 “to understand the causes of things and for the betterment of society”. This perfectly captures the mission of the School of Public Policy more than 100 years later.
Connnect with us
Find out more about SPP activities, faculty news, upcoming events and student life by connecting with us on social media:
- Linkedin: LSE School of Public Policy
- Instagram: @lsepublicpolicy
- X/Twitter: @lsepublicpolicy
Why LSE
University of the Year 2025 and 1st in the UK
Times and The Sunday Times - Good University Guide 20251st in London for the 13th year running
The Complete University Guide - University League Tables 20256th In the world
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
Carbon Neutral In 2021, LSE became the first Carbon Neutral verified university in the UK
Your application
Overview
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 references
- CV.
See further information on supporting documents.
You may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. See our English language requirements.
Information Events
- SPP Information Sessions
Throughout the year we'll be hosting online SPP programme information sessions for prospective students. These sessions provide an opportunity for prospective students to interact with our faculty and students to find out more about a specific SPP programme. Details of upcoming sessions can be found on our website and we also encourage you to register your interest to hear more about our upcoming sessions.
- LSE information events and videos
LSE also have a number of webinars, videos, student blogs and student video diaries which will help you gain an insight into what it's like to study more broadly at LSE
LSE representatives also travel around the world to meet with prospective students at information fairs and events
Find details on LSE's upcoming visits
- Visit LSE
Come on a guided campus tour, attend an undergraduate open day, drop into our office or go on a self-guided tour.
Find out about opportunities to visit LSE.
Contact us
- Admissions: LSE Graduate Admissions Knowledge Base (An online resource for quick answers) - spp.admissions@lse.ac.uk
- Programme queries: mpp@lse.ac.uk
- Fees and Funding queries: Visit SE Financial Support Office webpages
- Visa queries: Visit LSE Student Advice and Engagement webpages
Who attends
The MPP attracts a highly diverse range of students from all over the globe. Our 2022 cohort of 89 students represented 31 nationalities and a range of professional backgrounds.
Our MPP students have a range of professional backgrounds and experience and have an average of seven and a half years' working experience.
We welcome students from wide-ranging areas of expertise including economics, law, social sciences, political science, business, engineering and international relations.
Their combined experience encourages a mature and reflective approach to study that draws on professional skills and experience gained prior to the MPP.
This diversity is a major strength, providing many different national, economic and societal perspectives to problems and solutions of public policy.
When to apply
Our early application deadline is 20 January 2025. We encourage all applicants to apply by this date. All applicants who want to be considered for a SPP scholarship will need to submit an application for admission by this date in order to be eligible for consideration.
Whilst we will consider applications for admission after this date, our applications will close once spaces are full.
Fees 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
How you're assessed
You can view indicative details of hours, teaching staff, and assessment in the Calendar within each course guide.
Graduate destinations
Overview
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.
Alumni connections and support
The SPP boasts of a strong global community of over 2,000 alumni. Our international network of alumni not only transforms the world around them by designing policy to tackle some of the world’s leading problems in the top levels of government, international organisations, and NGOs – but also makes our community a vibrant and supportive one long after graduation.
Our alumni community stay connected with our students throughout their studies and share their expertise through networking events, our student mentoring scheme and our career Q&A series.
As part of LSE SPP’s alumni engagement programme our alumni also stay connected with us via in-person and virtual professional development and social events throughout the year.
LSE alumni
As well as belonging to LSE School of Public Policy’s alumni network, SPP students will also belong to LSE’s prestigious alumni network of over 220,000 alumni across the world.
Find out more about our alumni and their career journeys after graduation.
Further information on graduate destinations for this programme
Career support
At the heart of the SPP is an emphasis on helping our students shape and enhance their future careers in policy-related fields. SPP students come to LSE from very diverse professional backgrounds, and it is our priority to support each of you as you move to the next stage of your career.
LSE Careers offers students a programme of support throughout their studies and after graduation.
In particular, students at LSE SPP have access to:
- one-to-one coaching in all aspects of career planning and professional development careers discussions with the School of Public Policy's Careers Consultant
- a weekly SPP Careers newsletter, compiled by a student employee, with relevant short-term and long-term opportunities
- Q&A events with alumni working in particular sectors of interest
- SPP-only discussions to employers including through visits to offices to discuss career options and learn about different employment sectors
- access to LSE Careerhub, listing hundreds of opportunities, from short-term volunteering and internships to full-time positions for experienced professionals
- Careers Impact Sessions which takes place early in year 1, followed by a networking evening with employers in relevant sectors
- specialist careers seminars run by LSE Careers, including sessions on CVs and cover letters, career management, networking, interviews and advice specific to particular employment sectors
Many leading organisations give careers presentations at the School during the year. LSE Careers has a wide range of resources available to assist students in their job search. Find out more about the support available.
SPP Professional Skills Accelerator
The SPP also offers an extensive and tailored programme of Professional Skills for Public Policy which is especially designed to complement the skills and insights that you gain as part of your programme curriculum and equip you with the necessary skills for the next step in your career.
You'll benefit from a series of training workshops with experienced practitioners and experts in key areas of professional development such as leadership, negotiation and persuasive communication.