For term dates, see here. 

The academic year at LSE is split into three terms: Autumn Term (AT), Winter Term (WT) and Spring Term (ST).

Welcome: The year begins with LSE's induction week, known as Welcome, or Autumn Term Week 0. This week is compulsory and students are expected to attend relevant Welcome events and activities. Find more details about Welcome, including dates, on our Welcome page. 

Autumn Term and Winter Term: These are the main teaching terms. Both are 11 weeks long, and each week is numbered e.g. Autumn Term Week 1 (AT WK 1). 

Reading Week (WK 6): Most European Institute courses hold a Reading Week in week 6 of AT and WT. The reading week is a time for you to catch up on past readings and prepare for the rest of term. It is not a vacation period, and you are expected to be on campus. 

Spring Term: Spring Term is 7 weeks long. There is no new teaching during this term. The first half is reserved for revision sessions, followed by exams and assessments. You will also need to be working on your dissertation/policy incubator/applied policy project during this period. You're expected to be on campus for the full duration of Spring Term.

Summer: After Spring Term ends, you'll continue to work on your dissertation/policy incubator/applied projects. As a 12-month MSc student, you will still be considered to be in term-time until the official end date of your programme (listed on your offer letter).Students who will be studying on a visa should be aware that this could have implications for you if you plan to take on paid or unpaid work while still a student. Please see the guidance here and contact the Student Engagement and Advice Team with any specific queries relating to your visa. 

You are not required to stay in London for the summer but you must be contactable via your LSE email. You may also want to consider whether you'll need to access materials from the Library. Once again, students studying on a visa need to check with the Student Advice and Engagement Team about the implications of completing coursework outside the UK. 

 There is a wide range of support available to you while you study at LSE to help you make the most of your time with us. Here are some of the key people and services you'll interact with during your studies. 

In cases where permission is required by an employer, the European Institute does not normally approve student requests to take internships during term time. We want our students to fully benefit from the outstanding teaching and learning environment at the LSE and take full advantage of the resources and facilities on offer during their studies. Our MSc programmes are demanding, and our expectation is that all students spend their time during the term learning in order to best contribute towards the vibrant discussions that take place in classrooms and preparing for and writing the rigorous assessments students face throughout the academic year. In rare instances exceptions can be made. If you would like to take an internship during term time at LSE, please speak with the Head of the European Institute before applying to avoid disappointment.

Please note that this internship policy does not apply to the LSE Parliamentary Scheme. 

The Student Voice plays a central role in shaping your experience with us at the European Institute and helps us to make positive change for future cohorts too! Throughout your studies, you’ll have opportunities to provide feedback through surveys and focus groups.

One of the primary ways that we respond to your student voice is the Staff/Student Liaison Committees (SSLC). The SSLC is attended by MSc Student Academic Representatives from each programme. They offer feedback on what’s going well and what can be improved. Student Academic Representatives receive training from the Students’ Union and develop valuable communication and negotiation skills, so it’s a great addition to your CV! More information about volunteering as a Student Academic Representative will be shared with you prior to Welcome. If there are multiple applications, we will hold elections at the beginning of Autumn Term. 

Our Student Engagement Programme offers a dynamic range of social and educational activities. From walking tours to familiarise yourself with London, to professional skills workshops, to end-of-term drinks receptions, there are numerous opportunities for you to engage with the European Institute community.

A major highlight of our year is the European Institute Student Conference at Cumberland Lodge, a sixteenth-century manor house in Windsor Great Park. The conference is open to around 80 students. Please note that there are additional costs associated with this event. We will share more information during Welcome.

Find out more on our Student Engagement Programme page.

While studying at the European Institute, you will have plenty of opportunities to develop and expand your professional skills. The European Institute runs a course called EU450 Engaging with Europe: Professional Skills. This course comprises of a series of themed workshops on various industries that our students have gone onto work in e.g. political risk, policy-making, political communication. If you successfully complete a workshop, you will recieve a certificate of completion and a great talking point for your CV. We will provide more information about EU450 and how to select your workshops during Welcome. 

As an LSE student, you will also have access to the support offered by LSE Careers. Over the year, LSE Careers will organise several events targeted at European Institute students to help you prepare for your future career. You can find out about career destinations here, and see where some of our alumni have ended up here. 

We are very fortunate to have a fantastic and ever-expanding community of European Institute Alumni who are happy to share their experience and guidance with current European Institute students. Throughout the year, we run advice panels on themes including consultancy, migration and policy, and getting started in government where alumni will provide their insights and take your questions. We also have an alumni mentorship programme where students can be matched with an alumna and meet with them to discuss their career goals and plans for the future. Find out more about the European Institute's alumni community here.