Programmes

LSE-Sciences Po Double Degree in Urban Policy

  • Graduate taught
  • Department of Geography and Environment
  • Application code Apply via Sciences Po
  • Starting 2024
  • Home full-time: Closed
  • Overseas full-time: Closed
  • Location: Houghton Street, London, Paris

Sciences Po and LSE have come together to offer this distinctive dual degree devoted to urban management and policy, which combines the strengths of two leading international centres of research in city development and urban governance.

The double degree lasts two academic years: the first year is spent at Sciences Po, in the Master Stratégies Territoriales et Urbaines; the second year is spent at LSE, following one of three MSc programmes, in either Local Economic DevelopmentRegional 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 you to develop an understanding of the political, economic and social issues raised by contemporary urbanisation, at local and international levels, with a curriculum focused on the analytic tools used in the field of urban policy.

On completion, you will be awarded a master's from Sciences Po in Stratégies Territoriales et Urbaines, and an MSc from LSE in Urban Policy. 

Programme details

Key facts

LSE and Sciences Po MSc Urban Policy
Start date August/September 2024 at Sciences Po, Paris (provisional)
Application deadline Apply via Sciences Po by 11 February 2024
Duration 23 months full-time only
Financial support Graduate Support Scheme (for year two at LSE – apply in year one; see 'Fees and funding'). For information on financial support at Sciences Po, please visit their website. Entente Cordiale scholarship for French and British Nationals
Minimum entry requirement 2:1 degree or equivalent in any discipline, and French Language proficiency, equivalent to TCF level 500/DALF C1
GRE/GMAT requirement None
English language requirements Standard (see 'Assessing your application')
Location  Sciences Po, Paris, France (year one), LSE, Houghton Street, London (year two)

 For more information about tuition fees and entry requirements, see the fees and funding and assessing your application sections.

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements for LSE-Sciences Po Double Degree in Urban Policy

Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in any discipline.

Competition for places on the programme is high. This means that even if you meet our minimum entry requirement, this does not guarantee you an offer of admission. 

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.

Assessing your application

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students and want to recruit students with the very best academic merit, potential and motivation, irrespective of their background.

Applications must be made to Sciences Po directly.

Please visit the Sciences Po website for further information on how to apply: https://www.sciencespo.fr/admissions/en/content/graduate-dual-degrees.html  

You may have to provide evidence of your English proficiency. See our English language requirements.

 

Fees and funding

Every graduate student is charged a fee for their programme.

The 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 does not cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

Tuition fees 2024/25 for LSE-Sciences Po Double Degree in Urban Policy

Home students, first year: visit Science Po website (2024/25, at Sciences Po)
Overseas students, first year: visit Science Po website (2024/25, at Sciences Po)
Home students, second year (provisional): £18,120 (2025/26 at LSE)
Overseas students, second year (provisional): £28,584 (2025/26 at LSE)

The LSE Table of Fees shows the latest tuition amounts for all programmes offered by the School.

Sciences Po fees for 2024/25
Fees for 2024/25 entry at Sciences Po are to be confirmed, however as an indication, below are the fees for 2023/24 entry:
Students whose parents' tax residence is in the EEA, first year: sliding scale between €0 and €19,670 (2023/24 at Sciences Po)
Students whose parents' tax residence is not in the EEA, first year: €19,670 (2023/24 at Sciences Po)

Fees at Sciences Po

Fee status

The amount of LSE tuition fees you will need to pay, and any financial support you are eligible for, will depend on whether you are classified as a home or overseas student, otherwise known as your fee status. LSE assesses your fee status based on guidelines provided by the Department of Education.

Further information about fee status classification.

Fee reduction

Students who completed undergraduate study at LSE and are beginning taught graduate study at the School are eligible for a fee reduction of around 10 per cent of the fee. As this is a double degree, this applies only to the year spent at LSE. 

Scholarships and other funding

The School recognises that the cost of living in London may be higher than in your home town or country, and we provide generous scholarships each year to home and overseas students.

French and British Nationals should also be aware of the Entente Cordiale Scholarships.

Funding for the first year, at Sciences Po

Funding may be available from Sciences Po. Details on funding opportunities at Sciences Po.

Funding for the second year, at LSE

This programme is eligible for needs-based awards from LSE, including the Graduate Support SchemeMaster's Awards, and Anniversary Scholarships. You must apply for these needs-based awards from LSE, during your first year of study. Selection for any funding opportunity is based on receipt of an offer for a place and submitting a Graduate Financial Support application, before the funding deadline. Funding deadline for needs-based awards from LSE: 25 April 2024.

In addition to our needs-based awards, LSE also makes available scholarships for students from specific regions of the world and awards for students studying specific subject areas. Find out more about financial support.

Government tuition fee loans and external funding

A postgraduate loan is available from the UK government for eligible students studying for a first master’s programme, 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

Fees and funding opportunities

Information for international students

LSE is an international community, with over 140 nationalities represented amongst its student body. We celebrate this diversity through everything we do.  

If you are applying to LSE from outside of the UK then take a look at our Information for International students

1) Take a note of the UK qualifications we require for your programme of interest (found in the ‘Entry requirements’ section of this page. 

2) Go to the International Students section of our website. 

3) Select your country. 

4) Select ‘Graduate entry requirements’ and scroll until you arrive at the information about your local/national qualification. Compare the stated UK entry requirements listed on this page with the local/national entry requirement listed on your country specific page 

Programme structure and courses

First year, at Sciences Po

At Sciences Po, the academic year runs from early October to the end of June. You will follow a course of study that covers topics of urban sociology, economics and politics, along with elective courses. Full details of the year at Sciences Po

Second year, at LSE

The second year runs from October until September of the following year. It comprises three terms plus a summer period for completion of a dissertation. 

You will follow one of three alternative lines of specialisation, following the teaching programmes (and course options) of: 

Either
MSc Regional and Urban Planning Studies
Or
MSc Local Economic Development
Or
MSc Urbanisation and Development

These interdisciplinary courses have international orientations and are provided through formal teaching. The hours vary but on average you should expect 50 hours of contact time for each of the three taught course units. This accounts for 75 per cent of credits for the year. The remaining credits stem from an independent research dissertation, which you will develop with a supervisor and complete in July/August.

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

You must note, however, that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that the School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.

You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. You should visit the School’s Calendar, or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the updated graduate course and programme information page.

Teaching and assessment

Contact hours and independent study

At LSE you will 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.

In addition to the formal teaching hours you should expect seminars, mock examinations, essays, revision sessions and a dissertation of 10,000 words which is due after the Spring Term.

You are 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. 

Teaching methods

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. Courses may be taught by individual members of faculty, such as lecturers, senior lecturers, readers, associate professors and professors. Many departments now also employ guest teachers and visiting members of staff, LSE teaching fellows and graduate teaching assistants who are usually doctoral research students and in the majority of cases, teach on undergraduate courses only. You can view indicative details for the teacher responsible for each course in the relevant course guide.

Assessment

A dissertation workshop will be held in order to guide and assist you with the writing, completion and submission of your dissertation. The dissertation may be on any topic within the field of the MSc programme studied but approval for the topic must be obtained from the relevant Programme Director prior to starting work on it.

An indication of the formative coursework and summative assessment for each course can be found in the relevant course guide

Academic support

You will also be assigned an academic mentor who will be available for guidance and advice on academic or personal concerns.

There are many opportunities to extend your learning outside the classroom and complement your academic studies at LSE. LSE LIFE is the School’s centre for academic, personal and professional development. Some of the services on offer include: guidance and hands-on practice of the key skills you will need to do well at LSE: effective reading, academic writing and critical thinking; workshops related to how to adapt to new or difficult situations, including development of skills for leadership, study/work/life balance and preparing for the world of work; and advice and practice on working in study groups and on cross-cultural communication and teamwork.

LSE is committed to enabling all students to achieve their full potential and the School’s Disability and Wellbeing Service provides a free, confidential service to all LSE students and is a first point of contact for all disabled students.

Student support and resources

We’re here to help and support you throughout your time at LSE, whether you need help with your academic studies, support with your welfare and wellbeing or simply to develop on a personal and professional level.

Whatever your query, big or small, there are a range of people you can speak to who will be happy to help.  

Department librarians – they will be able to help you navigate the library and maximise its resources during your studies. 

Accommodation service – they can offer advice on living in halls and offer guidance on private accommodation related queries.

Class teachers and seminar leaders – they will be able to assist with queries relating to specific courses. 

Disability and Wellbeing Service – they are experts in long-term health conditions, sensory impairments, mental health and specific learning difficulties. They offer confidential and free services such as student counselling, a peer support scheme and arranging exam adjustments. They run groups and workshops. 

IT help – support is available 24 hours a day to assist with all your technology queries.  

LSE Faith Centre – this is home to LSE's diverse religious activities and transformational interfaith leadership programmes, as well as a space for worship, prayer and quiet reflection. It includes Islamic prayer rooms and a main space for worship. It is also a space for wellbeing classes on campus and is open to all students and staff from all faiths and none.  

Language Centre – the Centre specialises in offering language courses targeted to the needs of students and practitioners in the social sciences. We offer pre-course English for Academic Purposes programmes; English language support during your studies; modern language courses in nine languages; proofreading, translation and document authentication; and language learning community activities.

LSE Careers ­– with the help of LSE Careers, you can make the most of the opportunities that London has to offer. Whatever your career plans, LSE Careers will work with you, connecting you to opportunities and experiences from internships and volunteering to networking events and employer and alumni insights. 

LSE Library  founded in 1896, the British Library of Political and Economic Science is the major international library of the social sciences. It stays open late, has lots of excellent resources and is a great place to study. As an LSE student, you’ll have access to a number of other academic libraries in Greater London and nationwide. 

LSE LIFE – this is where you should go to develop skills you’ll use as a student and beyond. The centre runs talks and workshops on skills you’ll find useful in the classroom; offers one-to-one sessions with study advisers who can help you with reading, making notes, writing, research and exam revision; and provides drop-in sessions for academic and personal support. (See ‘Teaching and assessment’). 

LSE Students’ Union (LSESU) – they offer academic, personal and financial advice and funding. 

PhD Academy – this is available for PhD students, wherever they are, to take part in interdisciplinary events and other professional development activities and access all the services related to their registration. 

Sardinia House Dental Practice – this offers discounted private dental services to LSE students. 

St Philips Medical Centre – based in Pethwick-Lawrence House, the Centre provides NHS Primary Care services to registered patients.

Student Services Centre – our staff here can answer general queries and can point you in the direction of other LSE services.  

Student advisers – we have a Deputy Head of Student Services (Advice and Policy) and an Adviser to Women Students who can help with academic and pastoral matters.

Student life

As a student at LSE you’ll be based at our central London campus. Find out what our campus and London have to offer you on academic, social and career perspective. 

Student societies and activities

Your time at LSE is not just about studying, there are plenty of ways to get involved in extracurricular activities. From joining one of over 200 societies, or starting your own society, to volunteering for a local charity, or attending a public lecture by a world-leading figure, there is a lot to choose from. 

The campus 

LSE is based on one campus in the centre of London. Despite the busy feel of the surrounding area, many of the streets around campus are pedestrianised, meaning the campus feels like a real community. 

Life in London 

London is an exciting, vibrant and colourful city. It's also an academic city, with more than 400,000 university students. Whatever your interests or appetite you will find something to suit your palate and pocket in this truly international capital. Make the most of career opportunities and social activities, theatre, museums, music and more. 

Want to find out more? Read why we think London is a fantastic student city, find out about key sights, places and experiences for new Londoners. Don't fear, London doesn't have to be super expensive: hear about London on a budget

Preliminary reading

Regional and Urban Planning Studies reading 

P Hall Cities of Tomorrow: An Intellectual History of Urban Planning and Design in the 20th Century (Wiley Blackwell, 2002)

J Friedmann Insurgencies: Essays in Planning Theory London (Routledge, 2011) 

Urbanisation and Development reading

R Centner Microcitizenships: Fractious Forms of Belonging after Argentine Neoliberalism (International Journal of Urban and Regional Research,36:2, 336-62, 2012)

S Chant Women, Girls and World Poverty: Empowerment, Equality or Essentialism? (International Development Planning Review, 38:1, 1-24, 2016)

S Chant and C McIlwaine Cities, Slums and Gender in the Global South:Towards a Feminised Urban Future (Routledge, 2016)

A G Jones and R Sanyal Spectacle and Suffering: The Mumbai Slum as a Worlded Space (Geoforum, 65, 431-9, 2015)

L Lees H B Shin and E López-Morales Planetary Gentrification (Polity Press, 2016)

C Lemanski and C Marx The City in Urban Poverty (Palgrave Macmillan, 2015)

C Mercer,  Landscapes of Extended Ruralisation: Postcolonial Suburbs in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, (Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, DOI: 10.1111/tran.12150, 2016)

H B Shin Economic Transition and Speculative Urbanisation in China: Gentrification Versus Dispossession (Urban Studies, 53:3,471-89, 2016)

K Ward Researching the City: A Guide for Students (Sage, 2012)

A Zeiderman Endangered City: The Politics of Security and Risk in Bogotá (Duke University Press, 2016)

Local Economic Development reading 

A Pike A Rodriguez-Pose and Tomaney Local and Regional Development (Routledge, 2016)

M Storper Keys to the City: How Economics, Institutions, Social Interaction, and Politics Shape Development (Princeton University Press 2013)

Careers

Quick Careers Facts for the Department of Geography & Environment

Median salary of our PG students 15 months after graduating: £35,000          

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

  • Government, Public Sector and Policy   
  • Financial and Professional Services              
  • Education, Teaching and Research            
  • Real Estate, Environment and Energy 
  • Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities

The data was collected as part of the Graduate Outcomes survey, which is administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Graduates from 2020-21 were the fourth group to be asked to respond to Graduate Outcomes. Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and who were working in full-time employment.

This programme provides 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.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Support for your career

Many leading organisations give careers presentations at the School during the year, and LSE Careers has a wide range of resources available to assist students in their job search. Find out more about the support available to students through LSE Careers.

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