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Student Life

What to expect from life as an EI student 

The Academic Year

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. 

Sources of Support 

 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. 

The European Institute Programmes Team

Your EI Programmes Team is the first port of call for questions that may come up during your studies. We are:

  • Adam Judge - Deputy Institute Manager (Programme Delivery and Student Affairs)
  • Natalie Grace - Student Experience and Engagement Coordinator
  • Charlotte Ennis - Pastoral Support and EDI Coordinator 
  • Stephen Jenner - Teaching Operations and Projects Coordinator 
  • Wagio Waigi - MSc Exams and Assessments Officer 

Not sure which person in the team would be best able to assist with your query?  No problem!  We all share the same email address to make things easy. Reach all of us at ei@lse.ac.uk and the appropriate team member will get back to you as soon as possible.

Academic Mentor

You will be assigned an Academic Mentor during the Welcome week. This person will play an important role in your academic journey at LSE and will be your go-to person for any questions or concerns. You will have your first meeting with your mentor during Welcome week, which will be a group setting. This will give you an opportunity to get to know your mentor, ask questions about course selection, and settle into your new surroundings at the School. Despite the group setting of the initial meeting, your mentor will always be available for one-on-one conversations if you need to discuss anything further.

Your Academic Mentor will keep tabs on your academic progress and overall wellbeing during your time at LSE. They will provide guidance and support on various academic and personal topics that may arise. Your mentor will also share their experiences and help you become an active member of the LSE community. So, don't hesitate to reach out to them for any support you need.

You can learn more about the Academic Mentor/Mentee relationship on the My Academic Mentor website.

Programme Director 

Programme Directors have oversight over a programme of study.  If you are unable to get in touch with your Academic Mentor for any reason, your Programme Director is your next port of call for advice and support. 

Course Conveners

Each course at LSE has a course leader, known as a course convenor, who has oversight of an individual course. Some course convenors do all of the teaching on a course, and others will oversee a group of lecturers and seminar class teachers. Look for the name and contact details for a course's convenor at the top of each course guide.

Lecture/Seminar class teachers

Some courses will have one teacher for all lectures and seminars, while others will be taught by a group of academic staff. Seminar class teachers are your go-to contact for specific seminar questions.  They are also responsible for taking attendance and are your point of contact if you will need to miss a seminar.

LSE LIFE 

LSE LIFE is a fantastic service which provides support throughout your studies, ranging from workshops, one-to-one advice, events, and a welcoming study space within the LSE Library. Find out more here. 

LSE Careers

It is never too early to start thinking about your career and next steps. LSE Careers provides guidance, workshops, and networking events to help you kickstart your career. Find out more here

Student Wellbeing Service

The Student Wellbeing Service offers a range of support for LSE students throughout their studies. They can help you with 'My Adjustments' (MAs), a document tailored to your individual circumstances and needs which outlines the reasonable adjustments which the School will put in place to support your study. You do not need to wait until you arrive to get in contact with the Wellbeing Service. Getting in touch as early as possible helps us to get necessary arrangements in place and ensures you have the right documentation with you to get MAs set up.

Find out more about the Student Wellbeing Services here and My Adjustments here. 

 

European Institute Internship Policy

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. 

Student Voice 

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. 

Student Engagement Programme 

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.

Professional Development at the European Institute 

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

Connect with Alumni  

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. One great opportunity is our Alumni Mentorship Programme; sign up to be paired with an alumna and get guidance from them during your studies. 

 

Find out more about the European Institute's alumni community here.