Master of Public Policy

The LSE MPP met and exceeded what I was looking for in a program. It gave me the ability to tailor my time at the SPP to my professional interests while meeting my educational objectives within nine months.

Yohann Sequeira, MPP Class of 2021

The MPP offers public policy education that is designed for operating in today’s world. Organisations today are faced with vast amounts of information and competing opinions with different calls to urgent action. Mid to senior level policy-makers need to understand and navigate between the different opinions and perspectives of economists, lawyers, financiers and philosophers in order to make effective policy decisions.

The intensive 9-month programme enables students to take a short career break to join an experienced global cohort, gain new perspectives and develop an understanding of how to analyse and navigate the different perspectives which form the “craft of government”. This integrates theory and analysis, politics, and implementation of policy.

Students will develop a unique understanding of the complex challenges of contemporary governance across core discipline perspectives including economics and econometrics, political science, quantitative methods, public management and philosophy. This offers tools and knowhow to understand and address the world’s most pressing public policy challenges.

Whether moving into public, private, international, or non-profit roles, our graduates will take with them enhanced knowledge, expanded thinking and elevated skills to be able to make formidable contributions to public policy and advance in the next stage in their career.

Key features:

A strong disciplined focus core, plus room to specialise.
Opportunity to build your professional network and learn from a diverse cohort all with well-established policy-relevant experience.
Be able to better understand and challenge the advice received from experts.
Develop a comprehensive understanding of the public management profession and the tools and approaches needed to reform and enhance public service provision.
An intensive nine-month programme to prepare you for the next step in your career and help you to return to your profession equipped and confident to take on new challenges.

Start date	September 2023
Application deadline	None – rolling admissions. However we encourage applicants to apply as early as possible. Please note the funding deadlines. Please also note the funding deadlines (SPP country specific - 23 Jan 2023) (LSE GSS -28 April 2023)
Duration	Nine months full-time only
Applications 2021	556
Intake 2021	84
Financial support	Graduate support scheme and SPP country specific scholarships
Minimum entry requirement	Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in any discipline. In addition, applicants must have at least five years of policy-relevant experience, though exceptions may be granted for outstanding candidates with slightly less experience.
GRE/GMAT requirement	None
English language requirements	Higher (see 'Assessing your application')
Location	Houghton Street, London

Apply for the MPP by using the online application system. You must also submit your supporting documents via the online application system.

If you have studied or are studying outside of the UK then have a look at our Information for International Students to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

As part of the application process you will need to submit:

Two references
Personal statement
Résumé or CV

Detailed curriculum information can be found in the 'Programme structure and courses' section of the MPP admissions pages.

Preparation before your arrival

Prior to your arrival at LSE you will receive details about optional readings and online learning materials which are designed to help you to prepare for the programme.

Welcome & Introductory Teaching

From mid-September (exact date TBC) you will need to attend MPP Welcome events and introductory teaching sessions. These will take place prior to the start of the LSE Michaelmas term dates. The welcome sessions include campus enrolment, a programme introduction and compulsory introductory teaching in mathematics and statistics.

If you have not studied mathematics and statistics for some time, the 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.

Course structure (2021/2)

The programme consists of four units in total – including three units of core courses, listed below, and a further one unit of options courses from a range of courses from within the School of Public Policy. This combines a fundamental grounding in core disciplines that are central to public policy, and allows you to tailor your options to your own interests and career goals. Some of the option courses will require prior study in economics, and would require the permission of the Course Convenor. Indicative options are listed below.

(* denotes a half unit)

Political Science for Public Policy*

Quantitative Methods for Public Policy*

Public Management*

Economics for Public Policy*

Public Policy Applications*

Philosophy for Public Policy*

Option courses (electives)

You will also select courses to the value of one unit from a range of options.

The SPP offers a wide range of courses as options. You can review this current year’s (2022/23) option list here.

You may also apply to take options courses from other departments in the LSE.

For the most up-to-date list of optional courses please visit the relevant School Calendar page.

The MPP attracts a highly diverse range of students from around the globe. Our 2023 intake represents over 30 nationalities.

The MPP is a professional degree with students having on average seven years' working experience. Our students' experience encourages a mature and reflective approach to study that draws on professional skills and experience gained prior to the MPP.

This diversity is a major strength, providing many different national, economic and societal perspectives to problems and solutions of public policy.

View our class profile.

The MPP programme was immensely beneficial in helping me combine the theory, politics, and tools of policymaking - key elements in making governments and policies work for development.

Toluwalola Kasali, MPP Class of 2020

Operations Officer (Creating Markets Advisory) at the IFC Nigeria (World Bank Group)

Read profile

The LSE SPP met and exceeded what I was looking for in a program. First, it gave me the ability to tailor my time at the MPP to my professional interests while meeting my educational objectives within nine months. Second, the programme had a multidisciplinary approach: pulling in expertise from the departments of government, political science, and philosophy, among others. And finally, all of this was delivered through a world-class institution with professors and peers from all over the world, who would complete the experience and provide a unique and diverse set of learnings.

Yohann Sequeira, MPP Class of 2021

Senior Consultant at Dalberg Advisors

Read profile

Studying at LSE's School of Public Policy is an excellent career decision with employers across the globe attracted both to the intellectual rigour and the practical applications of our curriculums.

Throughout your studies and beyond you will have support to navigate your career journey and achieve your goals.

Find out more about LSE Careers and SPP Careers support.

Our graduates go on to pursue careers in a wide range of sectors with popular destinations including; Government and Politics, Consultancy, Financial Services, NGOs & Charities, Data, Research & Think Tanks, International Development and Aid, Public Policy, and International Finance and Trade.

Find out more about our alumni and their career journeys after graduation.

Information events and recordings for prospective students:

Find out more and register for our upcoming information sessions for prospective students.

Recordings:

16 November 2022: SPP programmes information session

30 November 2022: MPP information session with Programme Director

LSE Open Weeks November 2022

LSE and SPP Speaker Series

LSE's SPP is a hub of global debate which attracts expert guest speakers from around the world. Discover more about our events and podcast series where experts come together to debate some of the world's most pressing policy challenges.

Discover more about SPP's guest speaker series and catch up on past events.

The admissions process

Fees and funding queries

SPP country specific scholarships (app deadline 23 Jan 2023)

Visa queries

Admission queries: spp.admissions@lse.ac.uk

Programme content queries: MPP@lse.ac.uk

Print or share