Our departments and programmes

1. You’ll explore the political forces that are fuelling rapid change in our world.
2. You’ll chart constellations of political questions with economic, historical and philosophical issues.
3. You’ll seek a critical understanding of justice, rights, and power.

You can learn more about us as a Department and read even more reasons why you should study with us on our webpages.

The Department of Government offer five undergraduate degree programmes, all of which involve the study of comparative politics, political philosophy, political theory and political science. Students will examine theories and concepts such as justice, democracy and liberty alongside the study of political phenomena such as voting and elections. Our joint honours programmes allow students to investigate the relationships and connections between politics and international systems, philosophy and policy, national and international history or economic methods and analysis.

Listen to our taster lecture to get a sense of what it might be like to study in the Department of Government.

Watch our online lecture series of the course GV311 'British Government' for an idea of the type of topics you could expect to cover as a student with us. (Note this course is aimed at 3rd year students).

Teaching and academia

Please use the following resources to find out more about teaching and academia in the Department:

• Read our blog post on making the most out of office hours. We ask Dr David Woodruff, student Sara Watkins and recent graduate Jack Winterton for their tips and advice.
• Take a look at The LSE Undergraduate Political Review (UPR). This is an online platform that enables undergraduate students to engage in high level political research. 

• Our students are supported and encouraged to research and write. Read a blog post on 'The changing landscape of US elections: is democracy beyond repair?' where students Luke Taylor, Emily Vaughan and Edith Rimmer on our GV100 Introduction to Political Science course examine underlying issues in the US electoral system.

• Learn more about the support available to you at LSE in this video with our undergraduate advisor explaining the department and LSE's key services.

Anthropology, International History and Sociology specialisms

Students who have taken and passed the equivalent of at least three full units of courses in either Anthropology, International History or Sociology will be offered the opportunity to receive a specialism in this subject attached to their degree certificate and transcript.  

The courses in the specialism can be taken at any level, though must include at least one unit in the specialism department in the third year of the programme, and they will not be confined to certain courses or types of courses in any of the three other departments. Students do not have to declare formal intent to pursue a specialism at any point.

Students who choose to take courses in these subjects are not obligated to receive a specialism, but have the option if they wish. Degree certificates which include a specialism will state the subject in the title, for example: BSc Politics (with International History).

For detailed information regarding entry requirements, programme content and preliminary reading please visit our BSc Politics programme page.

For detailed information regarding entry requirements, programme content and preliminary reading please visit our BSc Politics and Data Science programme page.

BSc Politics & Data Science

For detailed information regarding entry requirements, programme content and preliminary reading please visit our BSc Politics and Economics programme page.

For detailed information regarding entry requirements, programme content and preliminary reading please visit our BSc Politics and International Relations programme page.

For detailed information regarding entry requirements, programme content and preliminary reading please visit our BSc Politics and Philosophy programme page.

Research

The Department of Government is a world leading centre for research into politics and government with topics covering political behaviour, conflict studies, comparative politics, political theory and political economy, to name a few. It is also home to many large funded research projects. 

In 2020 we put together a film showcasing the research being carried out by the department into the impact of COVID-19 on politics and society. The film is a great representation of the breath and importance of our research. 

CV19: A film by the Department of Government

 Explore our research

Events

We regularly host high-profile speakers, including the Shadow Chancellor and Department of Government alumna, Anneliese Dodds who discussed the Labour Party's plans to rebuild the economy post-COVID. 

Rebuilding the UK Economy for a More Secure Future | LSE Online Event

 If you miss an event, there's always the opportunity to catch up via the podcast recording. Here are a few recent highlights:

• How the Pandemic Polarised us - listen here
• Celebrating Ruth Bader Ginsburg 1933-2020 - listen here

Take a look at our events