BSc Politics and Data Science

What are the risks posed by AI? What role does social media play in our democracy? What can be done about online hate speech?

Data and digital technologies have changed the face of politics – creating a demand for graduates who can navigate these challenges. This programme will equip you with those skills.

You’ll study how governments and policymakers acquire and use big data and how politicians draw on data to reach voters online. You’ll also look at the potential risks posed by AI to our political systems – and how AI can be used to benefit society.

This degree will equip you with the statistical and programming skills needed for a future career in politics and data science. As you progress, you’ll draw on expertise from across LSE – including the state-of-the-art Data Science Institute. A unique feature is the third-year project with a partner organisation. You’ll apply science methodologies to a real-world challenge, working with advocacy groups, NGOs, think tanks and other organisations.

This degree will prepare you for a host of careers in different areas, including digital and social media firms, the Civil Service, government, data journalism, regulation and political risk analysis and forecasting.

• Garrett Grolemund and Hadley Wickham R for Data Science (O'Reilly Media, 2016)
• John V. Guttag Introduction to Computation and Programming using Python (Second Edition, The MIT Press, 2017)
• Hersh, Eitan D Hacking the electorate: How campaigns perceive voters (Cambridge University Press, 2015)
• James et al An Introduction to Statistical Learning: With applications in R, (Springer, 2013) Note: The book is available from the authors' page here.
• Jungherr, Andreas, Gonzalo Rivero, and Daniel Gayo-Avello Retooling politics: How digital media are shaping democracy (Cambridge University Press, 2020)
• Margetts, Helen, Peter John, Scott Hale, and Taha Yasseri Political Turbulence: How Social Media Shape Collective Action (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2015)
• Silver, Nate The signal and the noise: the art and science of prediction (Penguin UK, 2012)
• Titiunik, Rocío "Can big data solve the fundamental problem of causal inference?" (PS: Political Science & Politics 48 (1), 2015, pp. 75-79)

The Department of Government is an internationally renowned centre for teaching and research on politics and government.

Within our department, we have 850 undergraduates, postgraduates and research students and more than 40 faculty staff – who come from 80 countries.

Our research focuses on six main areas:

• comparative politics
• conflict studies
• political behaviour and political psychology
• political economy and institutional analysis
• political theory
• public policy and public administration.

The department’s work covers national, sub-national and global politics – with a strong emphasis on public-facing research.

Teaching within the department draws on these strengths and our central role in a prestigious social science institution. As a student, you’ll learn from internationally renowned academics and study in the heart of London, close to the UK’s political heartland in Westminster and the Houses of Parliament.

Our students gain the knowledge and skills to become sharp-minded critical thinkers who apply diverse analytical perspectives to political issues and conflicts around the globe. We encourage students to reflect on what it means to be responsible for addressing urgent public problems and engage in these issues in practical ways to prepare for their future careers. Our graduates find fulfilling roles in government, financial and professional services, teaching and research.

Learn more about our programmes, research, public events and people.

Department of Government

We consider each application carefully, taking into account all the details you’ve included on your UCAS form, such as:

• academic achievement, including predicted and achieved grades (also see specific information about this programme in the "entry requirements" above)
• subjects and subject combinations (also see specific information about this programme in the "entry requirements" above)
• your personal statement
• your teacher’s reference
• educational circumstances

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency, although this is not needed at the application stage. See our English language requirements page.

We’re looking for students who demonstrate:

• strong mathematical abilities and quantitative skills
• an awareness of and genuine interest in current political issues
• a willingness to read extensively
• an ability to analyse data
• an ability to evaluate and challenge conventional views
• initiative
• good communication skills
• excellent time-management skills
• intellectual curiosity
• self-motivation and a willingness to work hard
• an equal interest in both politics and data science.

We use a wide range of formative and summative assessment methods, including research design exercises, essays, exams, individual and group presentations and a team-based project. The degree award is determined by your work across all three years, particularly the second and third years.

See the current formative coursework and summative assessment for each course in the relevant course guide.

Find out more about LSE’s teaching and assessment methods

Politics graduates have a range of skills and can fit into a variety of positions in modern life. Our former students have followed careers in business and banking, in law, in central and local government, in teaching and research, in public and university administration, and in journalism and television.

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.