Throughout the two-year programme students will develop key policy skills through an immersion in public and international affairs and will benefit from access to the expert faculty, careers support, internship resources and alumni networks of both prestigious institutions.

The double degree draws on the unique academic strengths of each institution. The first year of study at LSE’s School of Public Policy will equip students with key skills in political science, economics, quantitative analysis and an understanding of the philosophical principles underlying good public policy. The second-year at University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, adds an international affairs dimension with in-depth study of the global system and its stakeholders, innovation policy, global justice, development, markets, and security.

The array of courses and perspectives, as well as the immersion in problems with international and global reach, powerfully combines the expertise of these two institutions and prepares graduates to engage with complex policy issues in national and global policy making.

Key features:

Study at two prestigious institutions in two cities – Year one at the School of Public Policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science and Year two at Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto.
Gain key skills in political science, economics, quantitative analysis, international affairs, innovation policy, global justice, development, markets, and security.
Benefit from a dedicated ‘professional skills Accelerator’ designed to help you to engage and lead in the rapidly changing policy environment that shape our societies and give you a head start over other graduates in seeking post-study employment in the private, public or international sectors.
The internship program between your first and second year puts you at the centre of global affairs, giving you an opportunity to apply and develop your interdisciplinary knowledge and skills(under the governance of the University of Toronto).
Completion of a Capstone Project during the second year, where you will work with an employer organisation on a real-life policy challenge.
Ability to apply for a Canadian work visa valid for up to two years after your graduation date.

Applications open:	Mid-October 2024 for September 2025 intake
Start date:	September 2025
Application deadline:	None – rolling admissions, however we receive most applications October-January and encourage applicants to apply by our early deadline of 20 January 2025. Please note the funding deadlines for LSE scholarships..
Duration	21 months full-time only
Applications 2023:	189
Intake 2023:	18
Financial support	Graduate support scheme (see fees and funding pages)
Minimum entry requirement	2:1 degree or equivalent in any discipline. There is no formal requirement for previous professional work experience, but students starting the LSE MPA would normally have one year of professional experience and many would have two or more years of experience. GRE/GMAT Requirement: None English Language requirement: Higher (see assessing your application)
Location	Year one: London, UK Year Two: Toronto, Canada

Minimum entry requirement

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

English language requirement: 'Higher' - see English language requirements

Information for international students

If you are applying to LSE from outside of the UK then take a note of the UK qualifications we require for your programme of interest and refer to our Information for International students page where you can view entry requirement by country.

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

When to apply

Applications for this programme are considered on a rolling basis, meaning the programme will close once it becomes full. We receive a high number of applications early in the admissions cycle (from October to February) and would encourage you to apply by our early application deadline of 20 January 2025.

In addition, to be considered for any SPP or LSE funding opportunity, you must have submitted your application and all supporting documents by the funding deadline. See the fees and funding section for more details.

How to apply

Applications for this programme will need to be submitted via LSE admission process. You will need to apply for the LSE/Toronto MPA/MGA double degree programme via the LSE application system. You cannot apply for this programme via the LSE MPA or the Toronto MGA programme application process.

LSE's 'How to apply' webpages guide you through the application process and link to the application form.

You can also view the Application Top Tips information by Kathryn Ward, Graduate Admissions Premium Service Manager, on how you can make the most of your application.

How your application will be assessed

All applications are considered by an admissions panel composed of representatives from both LSE and University of Toronto, Munk School of Global Affairs.

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.

We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account all the information presented on your application form, including your:

academic achievement (including predicted and achieved grades)
relevant professional experience
statement of academic purpose
two references
CV

See further information on supporting documents

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency, although you do not need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE. See our English language requirements.

Data sharing

Double degrees and certain other degrees and scholarships require that LSE shares personal data with another university or partner. In our agreements we will use the School’s standard data sharing template for universities and partners in the EU and EEA and in an adequate country. Standard contract clauses will be used for any other country. If you have any questions about this or how your personal data will be treated by LSE, please contact the Data Protection Officer, Rachael Maguire, via glpd.info.rights@lse.ac.uk or check our Student Privacy Notice.

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 2025/26 for the LSE-University of Toronto Double Master of Public Administration (LSE) and Master of Global Affairs (Munk School)

Year one: £32,400 (LSE, 2025/26)
Year two: Visit the University of Toronto website (Toronto, 2026/27)

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

Fee status

For this programme, the LSE tuition fee is the same for all students regardless of their fee status. However, any financial support you are eligible for will depend on whether you are classified as a home or as an 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 reductions

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.

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.

Funding for the first year, at LSE

This programme is eligible for needs-based awards from LSE, including the Graduate Support Scheme, Master'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.

Funding for the second year, at the University of Toronto

There is currently no funding available for the second year at the University of Toronto.

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

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.

MPA Double Degree Welcome & Introductory Teaching

From mid-September (exact date TBC) you will need to attend MPA Welcome events and introductory teaching sessions. These will take place prior to the start of the LSE Autumn Term dates. These sessions include campus enrolment, a programme introduction, information sessions, networking opportunities, academic skills training and compulsory introductory teaching in mathematics and statistics.

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

London School of Economics and Political Science - Year One

In the first year, you will take three compulsory courses, in micro- and macro-economics, political science and public policy, quantitative approaches and policy analysis. These provide a rigorous foundation to support you during the rest of the degree. You are also required to choose one unit of courses from a list of four choices to further develop core skills but in a direction you choose – see below. Your choice of option courses (electives) should be based on your academic strengths and interests.

Click to enlarge image

PP440: Micro and Macro Economics for Public Policy
You will learn macro- and micro- economic concepts, models and methods suitable for appraising policy, applicable in a wide variety of contexts. This includes the study of demand and supply, the labour market, public goods, market failure, inflation and monetary policy, fiscal policy and debt, and exchange rates.

PP478: Political Science for Public Policy
You will learn concepts and models for understanding the behaviour of political actors and why they lead to particular outcomes. This includes the study of voting, political parties, interest groups, legislative politics, corruption, democratisation and ethnic conflict. These tools are essential for designing policy interventions to achieve desired future outcomes.

PP455: Quantitative Approaches and Policy Analysis
You will learn skills for the quantitative evaluation of public policies, such as causal relationships; randomised control trials; difference-in-difference estimation; instrumental variables; regression discontinuity designs and cost-benefit analysis.

+ Courses to the value of one unit from the following options:

PP448: International Political Economy and Development*

PP449: Comparative Political Economy and Development*

PP413: Growth Diagnostics in Development: Theory and Practice*

PP454: Development Economics

Courses from a range of options

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

Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto – Year Two

In the second year of the programme at the Munk School students must take the following courses:

Students complete Year 2 courses at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy.

Summer

GLA1007H Global Internship (1.0 FCE, 10 to 16 weeks) plus a critical reflection paper to be submitted in September of Year 2.

Year 2

Fall and Winter (5.0 FCEs):

GLA1016H Human Rights and Global Justice (0.5 FCE)
GLA2111H Research Methods for Global Affairs (0.5 FCE)
GLA1011H Global Innovation Policy (0.5 FCE)
GLA2000H Capstone Seminar (0.5 FCE)
GLA2887H Final Research and Analysis (0.5 FCE; CR/NCR)

Additional 3.0 FCEs of electives in Year 2 (six half courses) at the 2000 level, all taken at the Munk School.

Summer (1.0 FCE):

GLA2890Y Global Policy Review (1.0 FCE)

For details of the 2nd year courses please visit the Munk School of Public Policy and Global Affairs website.

LSE Year one- You must note 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.

Our LSE SPP degree programmes attract a highly diverse range of students from all over the globe. In 2022 we welcomed an intake of 350 students representing 50+ nationalities.

The LSE SPP offers three MPA double degree programmes with partner schools, Columbia SIPA, Toronto University and Sciences Po. Our MPA double degrees are a special smaller cohorts of approx 15 students per partner school programme. They benefit from belonging to a smaller cohort whilst also learning alongside our larger MPA cohort of approx 75 students.

There is no formal work experience requirement, however our students have a wide range of prior experience. Our MPA students have an average of 3.5 years' working experience.

We welcome students from wide-ranging areas of expertise including economics, law, social sciences, political science, business and international relations.

Their combined experience encourages a reflective approach to study that draws on skills and experience gained prior to the programme. This diversity is a major strength, providing many different national, economic and societal perspectives to problems and solutions of public policy.

Through my training at the SPP and the Munk School, I feel better equipped in framing conversations around global issues, analysing considerations for decision makers and proposing a path forward.

Joshua Atienza, MPA/MGA Class of 2024

School of Public Policy student groups, networks and development opportunities:

Association of Public Policy Students (APPS)

The Association of Public Policy Students (APPS) is an elected body of SPP students that serve as a resource for the student community. Throughout the academic year, the APPS’s numerous committees and initiatives provide opportunities for students to engage with other classmates in professional and social activities.

Womxn’s Network

The School of Public Policy’s (SPP) Womxn’s Network is a student-run organisation focused on the advancement and empowerment of students within the SPP and broader LSE community who are marginalised by the intersectionalities of gender and/or sexuality. The Network aims to further encourage the inclusion of marginalised voices within policymaking through various events and forums designed to promote learning and open discussion.

Public Sphere Journal (PSJ)

The Public Sphere Journal (PSJ) is a journal of international policy studies produced by SPP students which features evidence-based research in economic policy, public management, international affairs, development studies and social policy. The PSJ offers students an opportunity to combine their unique professional and personal experiences to create a journal of international policy studies, from the initial call for papers through to the print and launch.

LSE & External Networks

Turner MBA Investment Impact Network and Training (MIINT)

The Turner MBA Investment Impact Network and Training (MIINT) Competition gives students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in impact investing by sourcing and conducting due diligence on real-world, early-stage impact investment opportunities. The MIINT is supported by LSE's Marshall Institute. Find out more about the experience from our 2022 participants.

Global Public Policy Network (GPPN)

The Global Public Policy Network (GPPN) is a partnership between 7 prestigious universities in public policy. GPPN is a platform for institutional partnership, research collaboration, and student exchange. Members of the GPPN have organised an annual international conference for the students and deans from member schools to meet and discuss pressing issues of global public policy. GPPN members have also established exchange and dual degrees programs, allowing students to benefit from this international network of the most prestigious public affairs schools in the world.

LSE 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.

Professional Development

SPP Professional Skills Accelerator

The SPP also offers an extensive and tailored programme of Professional Skills for Public Policy which is especially designed to complement the skills and insights that you gain as part of your programme curriculum and equip you with the necessary skills for the next step in your career.

You will benefit from a series of training workshops with experienced practitioners and experts in key areas of professional development such as leadership, negotiation and persuasive communication.

Policy in Practice (PiP) seminars

We run regular seminars through the year to connect you with policy practitioners in a range of fields, either to learn more about the work of particular organisations and sectors or to develop new skills. These seminars provide students with an opportunity to connect classroom learning to real world scenarios.

Life in London

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.

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.

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.

Studying at University of Toronto, Munk School (Year 2)

Find out more about studying at Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto here.

Support for your career

The MPA/MGA double degree provides students with the opportunity to develop professional skills and experience to give them a head start over other graduates in seeking post-study employment in a relevant sector. The double degree is an excellent career decision with many global employers attracted to both the intellectual rigour and the practical applications of the course. The degree equips professionals with the skills to make an immediate impact for employers in the public sector, private companies, non-governmental and inter-governmental organisations around the world.

Students will benefit from the careers support, resources and networks of both prestigious institutions.

London School of Economics and Political Science

LSE Careers Consultants make sure that you get the best possible support in developing your career plans during your time studying. Whether you know already the career you are aiming for, or simply the general direction you want they can help guide and develop your ideas to present your skills and experience to employers in the best possible way.

In particular students at LSE SPP have access to:

careers discussions with the School of Public Policy's Careers Consultant
a weekly Careers newsletter, compiled by a student employee, with relevant short-term and long-term opportunities
discussions to employers (often MPA alumni) including through visits to offices to discuss career options and learn about different employment sectors
specialist careers seminars run by LSE Careers, including sessions on CVs and cover letters, career management, networking, interviews and advice specific to particular employment sectors
access to LSE Careerhub, with thousands of short-term and long-term opportunities including internships

SPP Professional Skills Accelerator

You will benefit from a series of training workshops with experienced practitioners and experts in key areas of professional development such as leadership, negotiation and persuasive communication.

University of Toronto, Munk School of Global Affairs

For career support resources available at the Munk School of Public Policy and Global Affairs visit https://munkschool.utoronto.ca/mga/dual-degree-with-lse.

Information Events

SPP Programme Information Sessions

Throughout the year we will be hosting online SPP programme information sessions for prospective students. These sessions provide an opportunity for prospective students to interact with our faculty and students to find out more about a specific SPP programme.

Join us and Professor Vanessa Rubio-Márquez (Double Degree Programme Director) to find out more about our MPA Double degree programme with the University of Toronto on Wednesday 4 December at 3pm (UK time). Register here.

Details of upcoming sessions can be found on our website and we also encourage you to register your interest to hear more about our upcoming sessions.

LSE information events and videos

LSE also have a number of webinars, videos, student blogs and student video diaries which will help you gain an insight into what it's like to study more broadly at LSE. Experience LSE from home.

LSE representatives also travel around the world to meet with prospective students at information fairs and events Find details on LSE's upcoming visits.

Visit LSE

Come on a guided campus tour, attend an undergraduate open day, drop into our office or go on a self-guided tour. Find out about opportunities to visit LSE.

Contact us

Admissions queries:

LSE Graduate Admissions Knowledge Base (An online resource for quick answers)

For applicant and offer holder queries (please state your LSE ID number in message title): Spp.admissions@lse.ac.uk

Fees and Funding queries: Visit LSE Financial Support Office webpages

Visa queries: Visit LSE Student Advice and Engagement webpages

Year 1 programme (LSE) queries: Email: spp.doubledegrees@lse.ac.uk

Year 2 programme (University of Toronto, Munk School) queries Email: Master of Global Affairs Program Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto Email: mga@utoronto.ca

Connect with us online

You can find out more about SPP activities, faculty news, upcoming events and student life by connecting with us on social media:

LSE SPP Linkedin LSE School of Public Policy

LSE SPP Instagram @lsepublicpolicy

LSE SPP Youtube @lseschoolofpublicpolicy

LSE SPP X/Twitter @lsepublicpolicy

Register your interest to hear more

Start and submit your application

Apply now Find out more about our programmes and how to apply

Register your interest to hear more about our upcoming sessions