LSE-Fudan Double Master's Degree in International Social and Public Policy

This two-year programme allows you to gain cross-cultural perspectives on social and public policy issues at two world-leading universities – in London (LSE) and Shanghai (Fudan University).

In the first year (at LSE), you’ll study the key ideas, concepts and theories of international social and public policy. You’ll delve into the root causes of social problems and analyse how governments, NGOs and other stakeholders tackle these issues. The second year (at Fudan University) focuses on social policy and governance in China – providing a contrasting cultural and academic experience.

You’ll build your knowledge of different policy research methodologies in Western and Asian cultures and learn how to apply them in practice.

All teaching at LSE and Fudan University is in English. However, you can take an introductory course in Mandarin at LSE and then develop your language proficiency further during your year in China.

On completion, you’ll be awarded a Master of International Social and Public Policy from LSE and a Master of Management in Public Policy from Fudan University.

With this double degree qualification and international experience, you’ll be well-prepared to lead and shape social and public policy in government, NGOs, international organisations or academia.

Extensive background reading is not essential but it is advisable for you to do some reading before commencing the programme. The following is a list of reading that will be useful for the compulsory courses during Year 1 at LSE in International Social and Public Policy:

• D Béland and R Mahon Advanced Introduction to Social Policy (Edward Elgar, 2016)
• T Faist Cross-Border Migration and Social Inequalities (Annual Review of Sociology, 42: 323-346, 2016)
• M Hill and F Varone The Public Policy Process, Seventh Edition (Routledge, 2017)
• J Howell and J Pearce Civil Society and Development: A critical exploration (Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2001)
• T Mkandawire (ed.) Social Policy in a Development Context (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2004)
• N Yeates (ed.) Understanding Global Social Policy, Second Edition (The Policy Press, 2014)

Year 1 at LSE MSc in International Social and Public Policy

You'll take two compulsory courses and complete a dissertation. You'll also choose from a wide range of optional courses to the value of two units.

Year 2 at Fudan University

The course structure of the Fudan year is composed of core courses (with an emphasis on social policy and processes in China), basic courses (on Chinese government and governance and Chinese language), and electives courses (with an emphasis on social policy issues of particular import to China and the developing world generally).

Students will be required to complete a minimum of 38 credits in Year 2 at Fudan. This will include the transferal of some LSE credits from Year 1.

Students must choose a minimum of:

7 credits of basic courses

• Chinese Government and Governance (3.0)
• Chinese Language I and II (4.0)

15 credits of core courses (students can transfer 3 credits from LSE if a course studied at LSE is equivalent to one core course of Fudan)

• Chinese Social Policy (3.0)
• Social Problems and Social Innovation in China (3.0)
• Urban Society and Public Policy (3.0)
• Policy and Program Evaluation (3.0)
• Political Economy of China (3.0)
• Health Social Policy (3.0)

12 credits of elective courses (students can transfer some or all of the 12 credits from LSE)

4 credits of Academic Activities and Social Practices

Graduation thesis

Students defend their draft thesis during their second year of study. An anonymous review of the final thesis is organised by Fudan University. This usually takes place in late April or early May. The formal thesis defence will take place in May at Fudan.

The Department of Social Policy is an internationally recognised centre of research and teaching excellence in social and public policy.

From its formation in 1912, the department has conducted pioneering research on contemporary social problems and helped develop policy solutions.

The department has an interdisciplinary and international outlook. Our academics conduct research on pressing global issues such as poverty, inequality, crime, unemployment, healthcare, education and housing. Collectively, our faculty team draw on their backgrounds in anthropology, demography, economics, political science, sociology, as well as social and public policy.

We advise national and international governments and organisations and our research shapes decision-making and policy direction at the highest levels.

Within the department, we offer a mix of undergraduate and postgraduate study opportunities. Our department is rated number one in the UK for social policy (Good University Guide 2026). We were also awarded the highest UK ranking for research in the field of social policy in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (2021).

The teaching curriculum is research-led, focused on applying global insights and supporting students with their learning at every stage of their journey.

Our alumni work in prominent government positions, national and international NGOs, the public and private sectors, and universities across the world.

Learn more about our programmes and research.

Department of Social Policy

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.

Applicants from mainland China

University students who are citizens of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), including students who are already enrolled in undergraduate programmes in Fudan University and other prestigious mainland Chinese universities, are eligible to apply to this programme through the recommendation (推荐) system, which enables qualified undergraduate students to participate in graduate programmes without taking the National Postgraduate Entrance Examination.

Interested applicants should first apply in September, to Fudan University. Applicants are required to have, or expect to have, a minimum GPA 3.5 (or equivalent) from their previous study, as well as meeting the necessary language entry requirements.

Further information on language requirements

Applicants from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau

Applicants from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau, are required by Chinese law to complete the National Postgraduate Entrance Examination for Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau applicants and meet all the requirements, before their applications are jointly reviewed by Fudan University and LSE. For details see the link below. Note: all potential applicants from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao should contact Ms. Zhang at Fudan (see contacts above) before commencing their application.

Further information on application requirements

Consult with Fudan University

Please consult with Fudan University of Institute for Global Public Policy before submitting an application:

Administrative Office

Institute for Global Public Policy, Fudan University

Tel: +86 21 65642019

Email: igppadmin@fudan.edu.cn

Data sharing

Double degrees and certain other degrees and scholarships require that LSE shares personal data with another university or partner. In our agreements we will use the School’s standard data sharing template for universities and partners in the EU and EEA and in an adequate country. Standard contract clauses will be used for any other country. If you have any questions about this or how your personal data will be treated by LSE, please contact the Data Protection Officer via glpd.info.rights@lse.ac.uk or check our Student Privacy Notice.

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.

Year 1 (at LSE, 2026/27):

Home students: £19,650

Year 2 (at Fudan, 2027/28):

Home students (ie, non-Chinese nationals): to be confirmed, but for reference in 2025/26 students paid RMB 120,000 (provisional)

Please note that all students are also expected to pay an application fee of approximately CNY 800 (provisional) in the second year of the programme.

Year 1 (at LSE, 2026/27):

Overseas students: £30,750

Year 2 (at Fudan, 2027/28):

Overseas students (ie, non-Chinese nationals): to be confirmed, but for reference in 2025/26 students paid RMB 120,000 (provisional)
Chinese nationals - fee set by Chinese Ministry of Education (Contact Fudan for further details)

Please note that all students are also expected to pay an application fee of approximately CNY 800 (provisional) in the second year of the programme.

Students who have graduated from programmes similar to this have gone on to work for:

• different UN agencies including UNDP, UNICEF and UNHCR
• a variety of small and large NGOs including Oxfam, Médecins Sans Frontières, International Red Cross and One World
• action international or intergovernmental organisations such as the World Economic Forum, European Commission and World Bank
• consulting companies
• government ministries.

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.