Overview
Introduction
This is a double degree, combining one of Sciences Po's Affaires Internationales programmes with either LSE's MSc International Relations or MSc International Political Economy.
The programme is based on reciprocal recognition of both curriculum and evaluation in the partner university, and offers a top-level education in international affairs and international relations or international political economy. It's designed primarily for those who intend to practise negotiation in government, international institutions and business, as well as those with a general interest in international relations and international political economy.
The double degree takes place over the course of two full academic years, with the first year in Paris and the second in London. At Sciences Po, you choose between seven specialisations: International Security, International Economic Policy, International Governance and Diplomacy, International Development, Human Rights and Humanitarian Action, Environmental Policy and International Energy.
At LSE, you'll have a choice between taking the MSc International Relations and the MSc International Political Economy. At the end of two years of successful study you'll be awarded either a Master’s in International Security, in International Economic Policy or in International Public Management from Sciences Po and either MSc International Relations or MSc International Political Economy from LSE.
Entry requirements
Upper second class honours (2:1) in social sciences, preferably within the broader discipline of political science or related. Candidates must meet the entry requirements for both LSE and Sciences Po. For more information about Sciences Po's entry requirements, please visit their website.
Please select your country from the dropdown list below to find out the entry requirements 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 students. Think carefully about how you can put together the strongest possible application to help you stand out.
Programme content
Year 1
First year, at Sciences Po
The first year is spent at Sciences Po. You join the Paris School of International Affairs and study for one of the following programmes:
- Master's in International Security
- Master's in International Economic Policy
- Master's in International Governance and Diplomacy
- Master's in International Development
- Master's in International Human Rights and Humanitarian Action
- Master's in International Energy
- Master's in Environmental Policy
The double degree has specific requirements during the first year, including a compulsory joint seminar which you're required to attend irrespective of the master’s degree you are enrolled in. You must pass the first year at Sciences Po to be permitted to proceed to LSE.
Year 2
Second year, at LSE
The second year is spent at LSE and runs from mid-September until the end of August of the following year. It comprises three terms and the summer period for completion of the dissertation.
At LSE you'll choose to enrol in one of the following programmes:
You'll choose courses to the value of one unit from four available half unit courses and complete a 10,000-word dissertation. You'll also choose courses from a range of International Relations options. You may be able to substitute one of your options for course from another department.
You'll take one compulsory course, and complete a 10,000 word dissertation. You'll also choose from a range of international relations 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 is not 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.
Why study with us
Discover more about our students and department.
Meet the department
The Department of International Relations is one of the largest of its kind in the world, home to 500 students, from 30 countries.
Founded in 1927, our department is a leading centre for teaching and research in international relations – ranked second in the UK and fifth globally in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.
Many leading thinkers in the field – including Martin Wight, Hedley Bull and John Vincent – have taught in the department and pioneered new developments and thinking in the field. The department also helped found the student-run Millennium: Journal of International Studies – one of the most prestigious international relations journals.
We have around 225 undergraduates, 220 postgraduates and 30 postgraduate research students on our programmes. Our aim is to provide a wide range of study options, covering diverse themes such as major theoretical perspectives on international relations, the study of conflict and conflict management, the work of international institutions and the major regions of the world, from Europe to the Middle East.
We’re proud of the broad international profile of our department – with students and staff from Europe, North America and further afield. As a department we’ve played a pivotal role in training diplomats and academics and we’re proud of their success in various fields.
Learn more about our programmes and research.
Department of International Relations
Why LSE
University of the Year 2025 and 1st in the UK in 2025 and 2026
Times and The Sunday Times - Good University Guide 2025 and 20261st in London for the 14th year running
The Complete University Guide - University League Tables 20265th in the world for the study of social sciences and management
QS World University Rankings by Subject 20266th in the world for leading the way in social and environmental sustainability
QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026Your 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.
Applications are administered by a joint admissions board of representatives consisting of both LSE and Sciences Po. Successful applicants will be notified by email.
Visit the Sciences Po website for further information on how to apply
English is the only required language (though knowledge of French is useful).
If you don't have a recognised secondary education or university degree taught and examined in English 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'll 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.
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 Sciences Po, 2026/27):
Home students: visit Sciences Po website
Year 2 (at LSE, 2027/28):
Home students: £34,200 (provisional)
Overseas
Year 1 (at Sciences Po, 2026/27):
Overseas students: visit Sciences Po website
Year 2 (at LSE, 2027/28):
Overseas students: £34,200 (provisional)
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.
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.
Scholarships and other funding
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.
The first year of this programme, spent at Sciences Po, may be eligible for financial aid from Sciences Po.
At LSE, we offer some needs-based awards for this programme, including the Graduate Support Scheme. 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 during your first year at Sciences Po.
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.
French and British nationals may also be eligible for the Entente Cordiale scholarships.
Further information
Learn more about fees and funding opportunities.
Learning and assessment
How you learn
At LSE you'll take a number of courses, often including half unit courses and full unit courses. In half unit courses, on average, you can expect 20-30 contact hours in total and for full unit courses, on average, you can expect 40-60 contact hours in total. This includes sessions such as lectures, classes, seminars or workshops. Hours vary according to courses and you can view indicative details in the Calendar within the Teaching section of each course guide.
You're also expected to complete independent study outside of class time. This varies depending on the programme, but requires you to manage the majority of your study time yourself, by engaging in activities such as reading, note-taking, and research.
LSE is internationally recognised for its teaching and research and therefore employs a rich variety of teaching staff with a range of experience and status. In the International Relations Department, courses at masters level will be taught by members of faculty, including LSE teaching fellows, assistant professors, associate professors and professors, as well as guest teachers and visiting members of staff who are experts in their field. You can view indicative details for the teacher responsible for each course in the relevant course guide.
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.
The Learning Lab is the place to discover and develop the skills you’ll need to reach your academic goals at LSE.
Through the Learning Lab, you can:
- attend practical workshops and one-to-one sessions on essay writing, conducting research, and on managing your reading lists, workloads, and deadlines
- develop your academic writing, reading, and critical-thinking skills to meet degree-level expectations
- work in study groups to strengthen collaboration, cross-cultural communication, and teamwork skills in a supportive environment.
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.
How you're assessed
All taught courses are required to include formative coursework which is unassessed. It's designed to help prepare you for summative assessment which counts towards the course mark and to the degree award. LSE uses a range of formative assessment, such as essays, problem sets, case studies, reports, quizzes, mock exams and many others. Summative assessment may be conducted during the course or by final examination at the end of the course. An indication of the formative coursework and summative assessment for each course can be found in the relevant course guide.
Graduate destinations
Overview
Most of our former MSc students go on to work in government, international organisations, financial institutions, journalism and corporations, but some continue on to research degrees and the academic profession.
Further information on graduate destinations for this programme
Median salary of our graduate taught students 15 months after graduating:
Top 5 sectors our students work in:
Career support
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.
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