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Graduate (Taught)
Application code:L2NY
School of Public Policy

LSE-Columbia Double Master of Public Administration

Boost your career prospects in policymaking or administration. Study at two prestigious universities – in the UK and the US.
Register your interestHow to apply

Overview

Introduction

This two-year programme gives you the chance to earn two degrees and study at two globally renowned institutions: LSE and Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA).

In the first year at LSE, you’ll develop your understanding of political science, economics and quantitative analysis and the principles underlying good public policy. The second year at SIPA builds on this methodological training. You’ll choose one policy concentration and complete an industry project with an external client, applying your learnings to a real-world policy challenge.

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to the combined resources, opportunities and networks of both prestigious institutions and deepen your understanding of policy challenges in contrasting cultural environments. You’ll learn with peers from a wide range of nationalities and fields – enriching your learning further.

Your double degree credentials and international insights will give you an added edge over other graduates. You’ll gain the skills and expertise to address complex policy issues and pursue a high-level career in government, international organisations, the private sector or NGOs.

Entry requirements

A BA degree or equivalent in any discipline with the following classifications:

A minimum Upper Second Class (2:1) in the UK system or international equivalent grade, in any subject discipline.

Please select your country from the dropdown list below to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

There is no formal requirement for previous professional work experience, but students starting the LSE MPA normally have one year of professional experience and many have two or more years of experience. Most successful applicants for the Columbia SIPA MPA have had at least three years of work or internship experience relevant to their intended course of study.

Candidates must also be able to provide proof of English Language Proficiency to LSE’s "Higher" level.

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 students. Think carefully about how you can put together the strongest possible application to help you stand out.

Programme content

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.

MPA Double Degree: welcome and introductory teaching

From mid-September (exact date TBC) you'll need to attend MPA Welcome events and introductory teaching sessions. These will take place prior to the start of the LSE Autumn Term dates. These sessions include campus enrolment, a programme introduction, information sessions, networking opportunities, academic skills training and compulsory introductory teaching in mathematics and statistics.

If you haven't studied mathematics and statistics for some time, the MPA introductory teaching provides a challenging but accessible introduction to some of the key skills and techniques required for the degree. For other students, it serves as a refresher course.

Year 1

Year one: School of Public Policy (SPP), London School of Economics and Political Science

In the first year, you'll take three compulsory courses, in micro- and macro-economics, political science and public policy and quantitative approaches and policy analysis. These provide a rigorous foundation to support you during the rest of the degree.

Micro and Macro Economics for Public Policy: you'll learn macro- and micro- economic concepts, models and methods suitable for appraising policy, applicable in a wide variety of contexts. This includes the study of demand and supply, the labour market, public goods, market failure, inflation and monetary policy, fiscal policy and debt, and exchange rates.

Political Science and Public Policy: you'll learn concepts and models for understanding the behaviour of political actors and why they lead to particular outcomes. This includes the study of voting, political parties, interest groups, legislative politics, corruption, democratisation and ethnic conflict. These tools are essential for designing policy interventions to achieve desired future outcomes.

Quantitative Approaches and Policy Analysis: you'll learn skills for the quantitative evaluation of public policies, such as causal relationships; randomised control trials; difference-in-difference estimation; instrumental variables; regression discontinuity designs and cost-benefit analysis.

You're also required to choose one unit of courses from a list of choices to further develop core skills but in a direction you choose – see below. Your choice of option courses (electives) should be based on your academic strengths and interests.

View the programme structure (image)

PP440
One unit

Micro and Macro Economics (for Public Policy)

PP478
One unit

Political Science for Public Policy

PP455
One unit

Quantitative Approaches and Policy Analysis

Courses to the value of one unit

Browse your options

For the latest list of courses, please go to the relevant School Calendar page.

A few important points you’ll need to know:

We may need to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees due to unforeseen circumstances. We’ll always notify you as early as possible and recommend alternatives where we can.

The School isn't liable for changes to published information or for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study, due to developments in teaching practice, regulatory requirements that require us to comply, lack of demand, financial unviability of a course, or due to circumstances beyond our control, such as the loss of a key member of staff or where a location or building becomes unavailable for use.

Places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements so we cannot therefore guarantee you a place.

Changes to programmes and courses may be made after you’ve accepted your offer of a place – normally due to developments in the discipline or as a consequence of student feedback. We may also make changes to course content, teaching formats or assessment methods but these are made to improve the learning experience.

For full details about the availability or content of courses and programmes, please take a look at the School’s Calendar, or contact the relevant academic department.

Some major changes to programmes/courses are posted on our updated graduate course and programme information page.

For further information on how we comply with UK consumer protection law, see your consumer rights as a student.

Why study with us

Discover more about our students and department.

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 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.

SPP now welcomes 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. 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.

SPP is at the heart of LSE – ranked the top university in London and fifth in the world for social science and management subjects (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026). 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:

Connect with us on:

School of Public Policy

Houghton Street sign

Your application

Overview

Applicants for this programme will need to apply for the LSE/Columbia MPA double degree programme directly via the LSE application process. Applicants don't need to apply separately for the MPA programmes at both universities.

All applications are considered by an admissions panel composed of representatives from both LSE and Columbia SIPA.

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.

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. Columbia University has an international privacy notice available if you have any questions on how they'll treat your personal data.

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

Experience LSE from home

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

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.

Home

Year 1 (at LSE, 2026/27):

Home students: £34,100

Year 2 (at Columbia, 2027/28):

Home students: Columbia fee and additional supplementary costs

At LSE, your tuition fees, and eligibility for any financial support, will depend on whether you’re classified as a home or overseas student (known as your fee status). We assess your fee status using The Higher education (Fee Limit Condition) (England) Regulations 2017.

Further information about fee status classification.

Fee reduction

Students who have completed and passed an undergraduate degree at LSE and are beginning taught graduate study at the School are eligible for a 10 per cent tuition fee reduction.

Students who have completed and passed two or more Summer School courses are eligible for a five per cent reduction.

If you meet the eligibility criteria for both discounts, the higher 10 per cent discount rate will apply.

Find out more about the LSE alumni discount.

Funding for the first year at LSE

We recognise that the cost of living in London may be higher than in your home town/city or country and we provide generous scholarships to help both home and overseas students.

We offer some needs-based awards for this programme, including the Graduate Support Scheme and the LSE Excellence Scholarship. Competition for these awards and scholarships is strong. To apply for an award, you must have an offer of a place and submit a Graduate Financial Support application before the funding deadline.

The funding deadline for needs-based awards from LSE: 23 April 2026.

In addition to our needs-based awards, we offer scholarships for students from specific regions of the world and awards for certain subjects.

You can’t apply for a Graduate Support Scheme or LSE scholarship once you’ve joined the School.

Please note: we do expect students who register for a programme to have sufficient funds for the duration.

Government tuition fee loans and external funding

The UK Government offers a postgraduate loan for eligible students studying for a first master’s programme. This is designed to help with fees and living costs. Some other governments and organisations also offer tuition fee loan schemes.

Find out more about tuition fee loans.

Further information

Learn more about fees and funding opportunities.

Funding for the second year at Columbia University (SIPA)

SIPA funding is awarded without regard to citizenship, and many international students receive fellowships, scholarships and assistantships while enrolled at SIPA.

Students may be eligibility for SIPA Assistantships.

Find out more information

Learning and assessment

How you learn

You'll normally have two to three hours of classroom-based teaching each week for each course that you take. This will usually add up to around 12-15 hours per week in class.

As the MPA is a full-time programme, you'd be expected to spend the equivalent number of hours studying as you'd spend working if you were in full-time employment (35-40 hours per week in total).

Teaching hours vary according to courses and you can view indicative details in the Calendar within the Teaching section of each course guide.

Teaching methods

Courses are taught in a range of formats depending on the teaching objectives and the subject. Some courses will follow a traditional format of lecture (one large group being taught together) and seminars (smaller groups which study concepts in a more informal style). Other courses will operate in a "Harvard" format, with the whole class in one space and the teaching method adapted to facilitate discussion and debate. You should expect a variety of teaching methods such as class exercises, team presentations, individual or group work, or case study discussions.

Office hours: LSE academic staff offer weekly office hours during term-time.

Academic mentor: you’ll meet with your academic mentor regularly to discuss your work. Your mentor can provide advice and guidance on academic issues and, where appropriate, personal concerns.

Other academic support: at LSE, we offer lots of opportunities to extend your learning outside the classroom.

LSE LIFE is a great place to get advice and practise the skills you’ll need during your studies and beyond.

Through LSE LIFE, you can:

  • attend workshops on developing leadership skills, finding the right study/work/life balance and preparing for the world of work
  • develop your reading, academic writing and critical-thinking skills
  • gain experience of working in study groups and develop your cross-cultural communication and teamwork skills.

Disability and Mental Health Service: we want all LSE students to achieve their full potential. Students can access free, confidential advice through our Disability and Mental Health Service. This is the first point of contact for students.

School of Public Policy student groups, networks and development opportunities:

  • Association of Public Policy Students (APPS)

The Association of Public Policy Students (APPS) is an elected body of SPP students that serve as a resource for the student community. Throughout the academic year, the APPS’s numerous committees and initiatives provide opportunities for students to engage with other classmates in professional and social activities.

  • Womxn’s Network

The School of Public Policy’s (SPP) Womxn’s Network is a student-run organisation focused on the advancement and empowerment of students within the SPP and broader LSE community who are marginalised by the intersectionalities of gender and/or sexuality. The Network aims to further encourage the inclusion of marginalised voices within policymaking through various events and forums designed to promote learning and open discussion.

  • Public Sphere Journal (PSJ)

The Public Sphere Journal (PSJ) is a journal of international policy studies produced by SPP students which features evidence-based research in economic policy, public management, international affairs, development studies and social policy. The PSJ offers students an opportunity to combine their unique professional and personal experiences to create a journal of international policy studies, from the initial call for papers through to the print and launch.

External networks

  • Turner MBA Investment Impact Network and Training (MIINT)

The Turner MBA Investment Impact Network and Training (MIINT) Competition gives students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in impact investing by sourcing and conducting due diligence on real-world, early-stage impact investment opportunities. The MIINT is supported by LSE's Marshall Institute. Hear from our 2025 MIINT participants.

  • Global Public Policy Network (GPPN)

The Global Public Policy Network (GPPN) is a partnership between seven prestigious universities in public policy. GPPN is a platform for institutional partnership, research collaboration, and student exchange. Members of the GPPN have organised an annual international conference for the students and deans from member schools to meet and discuss pressing issues of global public policy. GPPN members have also established exchange and dual degrees programmes, allowing students to benefit from this international network of the most prestigious public affairs schools in the world. Hear from our 2024 GPPN conference participants.

LSE student societies and activities

Your time at LSE is not just about studying, there are plenty of ways to get involved in extracurricular activities. From joining one of over 200 societies, or starting your own society, to volunteering for a local charity, or attending a public lecture by a world-leading figure, there is a lot to choose from.

Life in London

As a student at LSE, you’ll be based at our central London campus. Find out what our campus and London have to offer you on academic, social and career perspective.

LSE is based on one campus in the centre of London. Despite the busy feel of the surrounding area, many of the streets around campus are pedestrianised, meaning the campus feels like a real community.

London is an exciting, vibrant and colourful city. It's also an academic city, with more than 400,000 university students. Whatever your interests or appetite you'll find something to suit your palate and pocket in this truly international capital. Make the most of career opportunities and social activities, theatre, museums, music and more.

Want to find out more? Read why we think London is a fantastic student city, find out about key sights, places and experiences for new Londoners. Don't fear, London doesn't have to be super expensive: hear about London on a budget.

SIPA students and faculty come from nearly 100 countries, with approximately half of the student body from overseas. Varied student organizations like the Columbia SIPA Veterans Association, SIPA Pan-African Network, and Gender Policy Working Group provide opportunities for intellectual exploration, social activities, and more.

Find out more about SIPA students

Life in New York City

Renowned for its parks, theatres, museums, restaurants, and cultural events, New York City is an incredibly exciting and dynamic place to live. Exploring the city is one of the great joys of being part of the Columbia community.

As a student at Columbia University you'll participate in a practicum designed to meet the needs of real-world clients. You'll hear from visiting heads of state, government leaders, and business executives. You can gain experience during the semester as an intern - at the United Nations, a major private company, or a small non-profit organisation. In New York City and around the world, SIPA students see the impact of public policy and apply the lessons to the next challenge.

One of the integral functions of the Office of Student Affairs at SIPA is supporting and facilitating co-curricular activities and opportunities which will enhance your life on campus. A vibrant array of student groups organise programming on a variety of issues in international and public affairs, along with social events and community service. Learn about SIPA networking resources, publications, and campus services that will add value to your graduate school experience.

Find out more

Graduate destinations

Overview

The LSE-Columbia (SIPA) MPA double degree provides students with the opportunity to develop professional skills and experience to give them a head start over other graduates in seeking post-study employment in a relevant sector. The double degree is an excellent career decision with many global employers attracted to both the intellectual rigour and the practical applications of the course. The degree equips professionals with the skills to make an immediate impact for employers in the public sector, private companies, non-governmental and inter-governmental organisations around the world.

Students will benefit from the careers support, resources and networks of both prestigious universities.

Our graduates have gone on to pursue careers in a wide range of sectors with popular destinations, including:

  • government and politics
  • consultancy
  • financial services
  • NGOs and charities
  • data, research and think tanks
  • international development and aid
  • international finance and trade.

School of Public Policy graduates have gone on to government roles in countries around the world, including the UK, India, Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Chile and the Philippines.

Other notable employers of our graduates have included the United Nations, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Deloitte, World Bank Group, Ofgem, the Civil Service, Google, Department for Education, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, European Commission, Moody’s, Air Pollution Action Group, KPMG, Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) and Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.

Find out more about:

SPP Alumni

The SPP has an active global community of over 3,000 alumni. Our international network of alumni not only transform 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.

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.

SPP alumni connect regularly with our students throughout their studies and share their expertise through our alumni/student mentoring scheme and our career Q&A series.

Alumni benefits

As part of LSE SPP’s alumni engagement programme our alumni stay connected via our regular newsletters and in-person and virtual professional development and social events throughout the year. Our annual "Alumni Symposium" offers a space for alumni to reconnect and benefit from the lifelong SPP network. Hear our alumni discuss the benefits of being able to reconnect at LSE to hear from expert panels and share their experiences at the 2025 Alumni Symposium, which focused on themes of "The New Geoeconomics: Policy making in a Fragmented World".

Alumni in action

Learn more about our alumni and how they are making an impact around the world.