Overview
Introduction
The Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) is ideal if you’re looking to develop your career in public service, in private sector organisations impacted by government regulation, in organisations bridging the public – private divide, or transition from the private to public sector. The programme provides skills to navigate an increasingly challenging global policy environment, and in doing so achieve more senior positions.
Taught in intensive blocks over 22 months, the programme combines academic study with practical learning. You’ll develop your knowledge in policy analysis, economics, and political science and build skills to tackle professional policy challenges in different settings and geographic regions. The programme's flexible format means you can instantly apply your learning to your daily work, making you potentially a more effective, productive, and valuable employee.
You’ll be taught by LSE’s world-class faculty and hear from senior policymakers and learn how they’ve approached some of the most challenging policy issues of our time. This degree shares classes with the Executive Master of Public Policy (EMPP) – which is only open to experienced members of the UK Civil Service Policy Profession. Senior practitioner insights and professional experience are key elements of the EMPA.
Central to the EMPA is a friendly, experienced, and diverse cohort of high-calibre students with wide range of professional backgrounds. Since the programme started, we have recruited students representing 77 different nationalities with an average of 12 years of professional experience. The EMPA’s deliberately interactive teaching style ensures you learn not only from faculty but from your fellow students.
The flexible format ensures location is never a barrier to study. About 80% of EMPA students live and work outside of the UK, travelling to London for modules before returning home. Our dedicated programme team and online resources ensure you feel well supported between trips to LSE.
Our alumni have described the EMPA experience as transformational. You’ll leave LSE with an evidence-based toolkit to help you develop and implement policies, tackle complex challenges, and be better placed to help lead your organisation to new levels of success.
Entry requirements
While we welcome experience in public policy it's not a pre-requisite, nor is prior knowledge of economics or statistics.
Our standard entry requirements include:
- upper second-class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in any discipline
- minimum of five years post-degree professional experience.
If your qualifications or experience are slightly below the requirement, we'd encourage you to contact the EMPA programme team to discuss options. We can take into consideration compensating factors such as relevant professional experience and a candidate's potential.
Please select the country your prior degrees were awarded in from the dropdown list below to find out the entry requirements (2:1 local equivalent) that apply to you.
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 doesn't guarantee you an offer of a place.
However, please don’t feel deterred from applying – we want to hear from all suitably qualified and interested applicants.
Book a consultation with an EMPA advisor to better understand the programme benefits and how they might support your personal, professional and career goals. Our advisors can also provide insight to what the selection team look for in a successful application.
If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact one of the EMPA team at spp.exec.admissions@lse.ac.uk.
Programme content
In total you'll take eight modules over a 22-month period. You'll attend LSE for five week-long modules, as well as for a three-day Introduction to Public Policy module, and two four-day workshops on Policy in Practice. You'll customise your learning experience by choosing two specialist modules from a range of options listed below. You can also "audit" further EMPA option modules, that is attend and fully participate but not submit assessments. Audit modules won't appear on your transcript.
You may also like to view the department's webpages about this programme for further detail.
Year 1
The EMPA doesn't require you to have prior knowledge of economics or statistics. At the start of each intake, we deliver a two-day Introduction to Statistics Workshop.
The workshop, which is not assessed, ensures that you're ready to undertake the EMPA by quickly and effectively bringing you up to the necessary level required to understand the concepts discussed in the courses that follow.
Year 2
In your second year, you take the Public Policy in Practice worshop and also choose two option modules, which allow you to specialise in policy areas of particular interest to you. Furthermore, you can also "audit" a third option module that you fully participate in but don't submit an assessment. Please note that "audit" modules don't appear on transcripts.
Why study with us
One of the most important and valuable aspects of the EMPA is the experienced and diverse cohort you learn with and from, and the influential alumni community you'll become part of when you graduate.
To learn more about our amazing alumni and read the full entries from which the quotes below are taken visit our Alumni in Action page.
The learning doesn’t stop when you graduate. Each year the SPP organises a symposium that draws alumni back to LSE, and a range of other activities, many online, including networking and social events, guest speakers, and panel talks covering policy careers and major public policy trends and events.
Meet the department
The LSE School of Public Policy (SPP) is a global community united by a shared commitment to LSE’s founding mission: to understand the causes of things and work for the betterment of society.
Our seven master’s programmes combine academic rigour with real-world relevance, tailored to suit professionals at every stage of their career — from emerging leaders to seasoned executives.
As an SPP student, you’ll join a diverse and dynamic cohort, learning from world-renowned faculty and distinguished guest speakers with experience in governments around the world.
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 (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025). 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 also offer a wide range of opportunities beyond the classroom for students to develop their professional skills and prepare for their future careers, these include:
- Professional Skills accelerator programme.
- Policy in Practice seminar series.
- Alumni mentorship scheme and career Q&A sessions.
- Global Public Policy Network (GPPN) – hear from our participants.
- MBA Impact Investment Network and Training (MIINT) – hear from our MIINT 2025 participants.
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 who all share a passion for learning and developing new perspectives as they prepare to develop policies to transform societies around the world.
Connect with us on:
- Linkedin: LSE School of Public Policy
- Instagram: @lsepublicpolicy
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lseschoolofpublicpolicy
- 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 14th year running
The Complete University Guide - University League Tables 20266th 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 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.
Contact us
A member of the EMPA team will be happy to talk to you about the programme's benefits and challenges, and the application process. Contact us at spp.exec.admissions@lse.ac.uk. We can also provide advice on suitability for the programme if you share a copy of your CV. Finally, we'd be happy to put you in contact with an EMPA alumnus to get a "student" perspective on the programme.
To learn more about the Executive MPA, visit the EMPA programme page in the Department's website.
If you have any queries related to your application or the admissions process, you may also wish to check the EMPA frequently asked questions webpage.
Who attends
This EMPA is ideal if you’re looking to develop your career in public service, in private sector organisations impacted by government actions and regulation, in organisations bridging the public – private divide, or if you wish to transition from the private to the public sector.
Since the EMPA started in 2013, the programme has recruited experienced working professionals representing 77 different nationalities, working across a wide range of public and private sector organisations. This professional experience and cultural and geographical diversity both enriches the learning experience and ensures that you'll graduate with an impressive global network united by a passion for using public policy to improve people's lives.
Explore our EMPA alumni profiles
Class profile (2025 intake):
- gender: 61 per cent male and 39 per cent female
- age range: 25 – 47
- average age: 35
- average professional experience: 12 years
- nationalities represented: 77 (2013 – 2025 intakes)
- employed by a wide range of public and private industry sector organisations.
Book a consultation with an EMPA advisor to see if your profile fits with the EMPA. The advisor will be happy to connect you with an EMPA alumnus for you to learn how the programme has impacted their professional lives.
When to apply
Applications for this programme are considered on a rolling basis, meaning the programme will close once we have allocated all available space. There is no fixed deadline by which you need to apply, but we strongly recommend early application to avoid disappointment.
Fees and funding
The table of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes.
You're charged a fee for your programme. 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 fieldwork, travel or living costs in London.
Home
Year 1 (2025/26):
Home students: £20,600
Year 2 (2026/27):
Home students: £20,600
Students can pay via an instalment plan with six payments, three in each academic year.
Overseas
Year 1 (2025/26):
Overseas students: £20,600
Year 2 (2026/27):
Overseas students: £20,600
Students can pay via an instalment plan with six payments, three in each academic year.
Learning and assessment
How you learn
How you're assessed
Courses are assessed by a combination of written assignments and exams. Assessments are submitted electronically from your location, which means that you don't have to return to LSE between modules.
Graduate destinations
Overview
The EMPA is a transformational programme that aims to provide skills and knowledge to enhance your career prospects and options in the area of public policy. Several EMPA alumni occupy leading positions in a wide range of public and private sector organisations around the world including governments, international organisations, major consultancies, financial services companies, charities and think tanks. Whether you're seeking career progression or career transition the EMPA can help to provide critical skills, knowledge, and networks to support you in the achievement of your goals.
If you'd like to better understand where our alumni are employed contact spp.exec.admissions@lse.ac.uk to discuss. We can also connect you to alumni in particular geographies or industry sectors if you'd like a consumer perspective on the programme.
Visit the EMPA student directory to find out about our current cohort and the Alumni in Action page which hosts inspiring alumni success stories.
Further information on graduate destinations for this programme
Career support
EMPA students receive customised support appropriate for more experienced professionals including events specifically for experienced hires, a programme of one-to-one executive coaching, and a "soft" skills development programme.
In addition to custom careers support, EMPA students can access the resources of the central LSE Careers service. Many leading organisations give careers presentations at LSE during the year, and LSE Careers has a wide range of resources, many available online, to assist students in their career journey.
Find out more about the support available to students through LSE Careers.