Overview
Introduction
The MSc Conflict and Culture in a Global Europe programme explores how culture and identity inform contemporary political conflicts, both violent and non-violent, in Europe and beyond.
You'll examine the role of culture, identity and ideology in the causes, manifestations and consequences of different types of conflict. You’ll also investigate how these factors shape approaches to conflict resolution and prevention at local, national, regional and global levels.
While studying Europe as a political and cultural space and as a global actor, you'll take a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach, using methods of investigation from political theory, philosophy, international relations, political science, sociology, history and economics.
A wide range of optional courses will allow you to explore particular types of conflict in greater depth. These might include domestic conflicts arising from identity politics in the context of populism and migration, or violent conflicts within and between states in Europe and beyond. We also offer courses that focus on democracy, multiculturalism, ideology and the state, migration, religion, Europe’s colonial heritage, post-conflict reconstruction and reconciliation, and many others.
Your choice of optional courses will enable you to tailor aspects of your studies to your academic interests and career goals, with opportunities to develop issue-based or regional and country-specific specialisms.
You'll critically examine cultural assumptions, ethical commitments and practical effects of political and normative contestations with culture at the heart of contemporary conflicts. The programme is also designed to develop your skills in academic research, analysis, writing and presentation, while connecting contemporary thinking on conflict with policy analysis and recommendations.
Graduates from this programme have gone on to work in consultancy, government, the public sector and policy, as well as in education, health and social care, and other international organisations. They've worked in organisations such as the European Commission, the UK Civil Service, and various governments around the world. Many of our students also pursue a consultancy career with graduates working at some of the world's largest consultancy firms such as Deloitte and KPMG (based on the HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2018/19 to 2023/24).
Preliminary readings
- Z Bauman Wasted Lives: Modernity and its Outcasts (Wiley, 2003)
- L Colley The Gun, the Ship and the Pen: Warfare, Constitutions and the Making of the Modern World (Profile, 2021)
- S Glendinning Europe: A Philosophical History, Part 1: The Promise of Modernity (Routledge, 2021)
- A Jäger Hyperpolitics: Extreme Politicization without Political Consequences (Verso, 2026)
- D Kostovicova Reconciliation by Stealth: How People Talk about War Crimes (Cornell University Press, 2023)
- A Pagden The Idea of Europe, from Antiquity to the European Union (Woodrow Wilson, 2010)
- R Scruton The West and the Rest, Globalization and the Terrorist Threat (Bloomsbury, 2003)
- N Urbinati Me, the People: How Populism Transforms Democracy (Harvard University Press, 2019).J White In the Long Run: The Future as a Political Idea (Profile, 2024)
- S L Woodward The Ideology of Failed States: Why Intervention Fails (Cambridge University Press, 2017)
Entry requirements
Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in any discipline.
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
You'll take two (half-unit) semi-compulsory courses and complete a (one unit) 10,000-word dissertation. You'll also choose courses to the value of two units, from a wide range of options.
You'll take EU410 Interdisciplinary Research Methods and Design to prepare for the dissertation and attend EU450 Engaging with Europe: Professional Skills. EU450 is a programme designed for your professional development which offers additional training sessions, and thematic workshops throughout the year.
Year 1
Courses to the value of two units from a range of 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 European Institute is a multidisciplinary centre for the study of European politics, economics and culture.
Founded in 1991, the institute is the UK's leading centre for the study of Europe, offering a range of master’s programmes and an extensive MPhil/PhD programme. Every year, we welcome more than 200 master’s and 30 doctoral students from all regions of the globe.
Our research spans four key themes – political economy, politics and policy, culture and society, and migration. Teaching and research draw on the expertise of staff from many different disciplines across LSE, including politics, economics and sociology.
The institute is outward facing. We run dozens of events each year, with workshops, seminars and presentations, welcoming high-profile speakers, including former presidents, prime ministers, foreign and finance ministers, distinguished scholars and influential commentators.
Internationally, we’ve forged close links with several partner institutions, including Sciences Po (Paris), Bocconi University (Milan), Fudan University (Shanghai), and Columbia University (New York) with whom we run double master’s programmes.
Why LSE
Russell Group University of the Year and 2nd in the UK
Times and The Sunday Times - Good University Guide 20271st in London for the 15th year running
The Complete University Guide - University League Tables 20275th 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.
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.
When to apply
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.
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
Home student fee (students starting in 2027/28)
For this programme, the tuition fee is different for Home and Overseas students depending on their fee status.
Tuition fee deposit
If you’re made an offer, we’ll ask you to pay a tuition fee deposit, normally 10 per cent of the published tuition fee. Paying the deposit by the specified deadline will secure your place on the programme, subject to meeting the other conditions of your offer.
Your payment deadline will usually be the earlier of six weeks after the date of your offer or 20 days before the formal start date of the programme.
Tuition fee deposits are generally non-refundable, although refunds may be available in the circumstances set out in LSE’s Tuition Fee Policy for your year of entry. Your offer letter and other correspondence from the School will also provide information about how to pay and the circumstances in which a payment deadline extension or exemption from the deposit requirement may be considered.
Overseas
Overseas student fee (students starting in 2027/28)
For this programme, the tuition fee is different for Home and Overseas students depending on their fee status.
Tuition fee deposit
If you’re made an offer, we’ll ask you to pay a tuition fee deposit, normally 10 per cent of the published tuition fee. Paying the deposit by the specified deadline will secure your place on the programme, subject to meeting the other conditions of your offer.
Your payment deadline will usually be the earlier of six weeks after the date of your offer or 20 days before the formal start date of the programme.
Tuition fee deposits are generally non-refundable, although refunds may be available in the circumstances set out in LSE’s Tuition Fee Policy for your year of entry. Your offer letter and other correspondence from the School will also provide information about how to pay and the circumstances in which a payment deadline extension or exemption from the deposit requirement may be considered.
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.
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.
The funding deadline for needs-based awards from LSE: 22 April 2027.
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.
Learning and assessment
How you learn
Within your programme 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, thinking and research.
LSE is internationally recognised for its teaching and research, and therefore employs a rich variety of academic staff with a range of experience and status. 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 your summative assessments, which count towards the course mark, and to the degree award. LSE uses a range of formative and summative assessments, such as essays, problem sets, case studies, reports, quizzes, exams, online assessments, 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
The programme will provide you with a strong foundation for a variety of academic and non-academic careers, in the private or public sector at national, European, or global levels; foreign policy; journalism; education; working for activist organisations in the NGO sector; or working in specialised agencies concerned, for example, with migrants or minorities.
Further information on graduate destinations for this programme
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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