MSc Politics and Government in the European Union

About the MSc programme

This programme is multidisciplinary and is based in the European Institute and the Departments of Government and International Relations.  Students have the opportunity to draw on the expertise of the largest number of academic experts in European government, politics and public policy to be found in Europe.

The programme offers a systematic multidisciplinary introduction- drawing on comparative political science, international relations, and European law- to central controversies in the analysis of contemporary European Union government, politics and public policy, including the European integration process and its impact on the EU member states and the broader international system. The unique range of courses will deepen students' knowledge of politics and policies in the EU and help them gain new insight into the EU's extraordinary role in today's world.

The programme is divided into three main parts: foundation – one half unit course which provides a basic training in the history and theory of European integration and an introduction to central debates in European Union politics and government; specialisation – in either European Union Government and Policy or the International Relations of Europe; and dissertation – a 10,000 word essay on an advanced topic. Additionally, all students must take Research Methods and Design in EU Politics to prepare for the dissertation, and are recommended to attend European Union: Contemporary Issues- a programme of guest lectures from distinguished outside speakers, including business leaders and policy makers. Students can expect an average of 180 hours of teaching.

The programme is ideal for those considering a career that deals with European and global issues. The programme is an excellent preparation for further research work. Former graduates pursue successful careers in EU institutions, national governments, business, politics, academia and journalism. LSE maintains excellent links with key centres for the academic study of contemporary Europe and with the EU institutions.

We consider applicants with good first degrees in any discipline, but prefer applicants with a degree in one of the social sciences.

Part I: Foundation

(* half unit)

• History and Theory of European Integration*

Part II: Specialisation

Stream 1 – European Union Government and Policy

• Policy-Making in the European Union*

Plus choose to the value of two units from the following:   

• European Union Law and Government*
• Greece and the European Union*
• Interest Representation and Economic Policy-Making in Europe* 
• Economic and Social Policy in Mediterranean Europe*
• Europeanisation: The Comparative Politics of Domestic Change*
• The Political Economy of South East Europe*
• Law and Governance of the Single European Market
• Europe Beyond Modernity*
• Turkey: Political Economy and European Integration*
• Greece and Southeast Europe: Government, Economy and Foreign Policy*
• Patterns of Economic Integration in Europe: Institutions and Politics of EMU*
• The Political Economy of Transition and EU Accession in Central and Eastern Europe* †
• The Political Economy of European Welfare States* †
• Network Regulation* †
• Government and Politics in Eastern Europe*
• European Politics: Comparative Analysis*
• Parties, Elections and Governments*
• Citizens' Political Behaviour in Europe: Elections, Public Opinion, and Identities*
• Public Policy Responses to International Migration*
• The Second Europe*
• Politics of Economic Policy*
• Political and Fiscal Integration and Disintegration in EU Member States*
• Legislative Politics: European Parliament*
• The Politics of Inequality and Redistribution*
• Conflict and Institutional Design in Divided Societies*
• Introduction to Quantitative Analysis*
• Applied Regression Analysis*
• Partisanship in Europe*
• European Integration in the Twentieth Century
• The Governance of Welfare: The Nation State and the European Union*
• Contemporary Issues in European Social Policy* 
• The Economics of European Social Policy*
• European Society and Politics beyond the Nation State*
• The Idea of Europe*
• The West: Identity and Interests*
• The Philosophy of Europe* 
• European Human Rights Law*
• Justice, Liberty and Security in the European Union*
• European Integration from a Global Perspective*
• Politics of Social Policy: Welfare and Work in Comparative Perspective*
• EU State Aid Law* †

Stream 2 – The International Relations of Europe

• The EU in the World

Plus choose to the value of one and a half units from the following:

• European Politics: Comparative Analysis*
• European Defence and Security*
• The Political Economy of Southeast Europe* 
• Europe Beyond Modernity*
• Turkey: Political Economy and European Integration* 
• The International Politics of EU Enlargement*
• Greece and South-East Europe: Government, Economy and Foreign Policy*
• The Idea of Europe*
• Introduction to Quantitative Analysis*
• Applied Regression Analysis*
• Europe, the US and Arab-Israeli Relations*
• Economic Diplomacy †
• Russia and Eurasia: Foreign and Security Policies  
• Identity, Community and the 'Problem of Minorities'*
• International Migration and Immigration Management*
• Foreign Policy Analysis III*
• European Union Policy-Making in a Global Context*
• Interest Representation and Economic Policy-Making in Europe*
• European Politics: Comparative Analysis* 
• European Integration in the Twentieth Century
• Ethnic Diversity and International Society
• Nationalism
• The West: Identity and Interests*
• International Business and Governance*
• European Human Rights Law*
• Migration and Mobility: EU Law and Politics*
• European Integration from a Global Perspective*
• The Philosophy of Europe*
• International Institutions 
• A half unit option from Stream 1 

Part III: Dissertation

• Dissertation

† Students who wish to take this course must seek approval from the convener of the course.