LSE-Sciences Po Double Degree in Urban Policy

About the programme

Sciences Po and LSE have come together to offer outstanding undergraduate students a distinctive dual degree devoted to urban management and policy, the Double Degree in Urban Policy, combining the strengths of two leading international centres of research in city development and urban governance.

This programme is based on the mutual recognition of curricula and evaluation in the partner university; it offers a top-level education in the area of urban studies to participating students, giving them the opportunity to develop a career focused on local and urban policy, in the private, public or international sectors at the highest level.

The double degree lasts two academic years: the first year is spent at Sciences Po, in the Master en Stratégies Territoriales et Urbaines; the second year is spent within the Department of Geography and Environment at LSE, following one of three MSc programmes, in Local Economic Development|, Regional and Urban Planning Studies|, or Urbanisation and Development.

Spanning a wide range of disciplines, including public management, economic development, urbanisation, project management, urban social analysis, and planning, this selective bilingual (French and English) programme will enable participating students to develop an understanding of the political, economic and social issues raised by contemporary urbanisation, at local and international level, with a curriculum focused on the analytic tools used in the field of urban policy.

At the end of two years of successful study, students will be awarded both a Master from Sciences Po in Stratégies Territoriales et Urbaines, and an MSc from LSE in Urban Policy.

This programme gives students the opportunity to develop a career focused on local and urban policy in the private, public or international sectors at the highest level.  Graduates could be expected to go into positions in local/regional government; urban development, property and planning consultancies; community organisations; investment banks; regeneration agencies; central government urban affairs departments and property development.

Year one: Sciences Po

At Sciences Po, the academic year runs from early October to the end of June. It is divided into two semesters, each of which is 14 weeks long.
Social Science, Political Issues or World Politics (10 credits)
Urban Specialisations (30 credits)
Study Visit and Collective Project (10 credits)
Languages (French/English and a second foreign language (10 credits))

Year two: LSE

The second year runs from October until September of the following year. It comprises three terms and the summer period for completion of a dissertation. Students will enrol in either the MSc in Regional and Urban Planning Studies or the MSc Local Economic Development or the MSc Urbanisation and Development. Formal contact hours vary but average 250. 

Language

Applicants must demonstrate competence in both English and French.

Students whose native language is not English must meet LSE's higher requirement (see entry requirements|) or have a  recognised university degree with at least three years of study with English as a main subject.

Applicants must demonstrate their competence in French, by passing either one of:

• The Test de Connaissance du Français (TCF)  
• The Diplôme d'études en langue française (DALF) level C1 or C2

(No other tests will be accepted).

Or by

• holding the International Baccalaureate (IB) with French as the language of education (levels A1/A2 only).
• having gained a high school diploma from school education in French (for example in French Lycées outside of France).
• having completed an exchange programme with Sciences Po with  enrolment in French language classes at least at levels 4 or 5.
• having gained a recognised university degree with at least two years of study at a Francophone University. You will need to provide the diploma which proves that your language of instruction was French. Please note, this does not apply to students who have obtained a diploma in French language or French studies at universities in non French speaking countries.

Students whose native language is neither English nor French must provide proof of ability in both languages as above.

Application

Applications should be made online only (www.sciences-po.fr/english|). Your complete application (application plus supporting documents) must reach Sciences Po by 1 March 2012.

Supplementary documents

In addition to the application form, you are required to submit:

1. A full and official transcript of marks obtained for each year of third level education including the current year when available.
2. A certified copy of your undergraduate degree (if applicable).

Documents written in languages other than English or French must be accompanied by a certified translation into one of the above languages.

3. A personal statement to be submitted in either English or French. In no more then 1,000 words, please describe your background, your career objectives in the field of urban policy and how obtaining the LSE/Sciences Po double degree will help you to achieve those objectives.
4. Two letters of academic recommendation. These can be in either French or English. They must be submitted online or placed in an envelope sealed and signed on the back by the referee before being added to the application file.
5. A résumé in both English and French.
6. Optional: you may also submit letters of professional recommendation.

Items 1 to 3 can be submitted as scanned attachments to the online application form. References may be submitted online or by post.