Programmes

Executive Master of Public Administration

  • Executive
  • School of Public Policy
  • Application code L2UM
  • Starting 2023
  • Home full-time: Closed
  • Overseas full-time: Closed
  • Location: Houghton Street, London

LSE's School of Public Policy (SPP) equips professionals with the ability to analyse, understand and resolve the challenges of contemporary governance. The SPP Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) is built for mid-career professionals seeking new knowledge and skills for policy-making. The EMPA is designed for study alongside your full-time job without requiring you to take a career break.

The EMPA is taught over 22 months in intense blocks which develop your core skills in economics, policy evaluation and political science whilst demonstrating how these skills can be applied in a broad range of geographies and contexts. In addition to studying compulsory courses, you will also choose option courses to further customise your EMPA experience, in order to meet your personal and professional needs. Courses combine leading LSE academics and senior practitioners to bring the latest research to life and the modular format ensures you can immediately apply your learning to a work context. 

This high-quality programme is designed for professionals working in public and private sector organisations focusing on major public policy decisions. Applicants to the EMPA seek career progression, career transition or senior level effectiveness. Our high-calibre students display a diverse range of backgrounds and nationalities. We have taught investment bankers, consultants, NGO executives, scientists, lawyers, social entrepreneurs, diplomats, journalists and many other professions united by their passion for public policy to improve people's lives. 

The EMPA benefits from sharing some classes with the Executive Master of Public Policy programme (EMPP). The EMPP is open only to UK Civil Servants and is designed to train the organisation’s future leaders. The EMPP cohort is senior, experienced and knowledgeable in contemporary public policy challenges.

Programme details

Key facts

Executive Master of Public Administration
Start date September 2023
Application deadline None – rolling admissions
Duration Taught over 22 months in modular blocks
Applications 2021 59
Intake 2021 30
Tuition fee Year one: £18,311 (2023 entry)
Year two: £18,311 (2024, continuing students)
Financial support This programme is not eligible for LSE financial support
Minimum entry requirement 2:1 degree or equivalent in any discipline, and a minimum of five years post-degree professional experience.
GRE/GMAT requirement None
English language requirements Higher (see 'Assessing your application')
Location  Houghton Street, London

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 Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA)

Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in any discipline, and a minimum of five years post-degree professional experience.

Competition for places at the School 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 we 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)
- academic statement of purpose
- transcripts from prior degrees
- 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.

When to apply

Applications for this programme are considered on a rolling basis, meaning the programme will close once we have allocated all available space. There is no fixed deadline by which you need to apply. 

Programme structure and courses

You will take eight modules over the 22 month period. You will attend LSE for five weeks, as well as for three compulsory weekend workshops on Policy in Practice. You can customise your learning experience by choosing two specialist modules from a range of options.

You may also like to view the Department's webpages about this programme for further detail.

First year

(* denotes a half unit)

Public Policy in Practice Workshop I*
This introductory workshop demonstrates how economists and political scientists approach policy challenges with the aim of encouraging you to start thinking like a social scientist. 

Political Science and Public Policy*
This half unit introduces a range of theoretical and empirical tools to analyse the politics of policy-making. The main focus is on political institutions in modern democracies and how they relate to public policy. 

Empirical Methods for Public Policy
This half unit introduces the quantitative evaluation of public policies and focuses on the practical application of state-of-the-art approaches to test the effectiveness of public policy interventions. 

Economic Policy Analysis*
This half unit covers both key microeconomic policy issues, such as externalities, public goods and principal-agent problems, and macroeconomic issues such as unemployment, fiscal and monetary policies, international trade and finance, and the determinants of long-run growth. 

Public Policy in Practice Workshop II*
This workshop applies the analytical tools that are taught in the week-long modules of the Executive MPA to specific policy areas.

Second year

Public Policy in Practice Workshop III*
This workshop applies the analytical tools that are taught in the week-long modules of the Executive MPA to specific policy areas.

In your second year you also choose two option modules, which allow you to specialise in policy areas of particular interest to you. An indicative list of optional modules is listed below:

Global Market Economics*

Public Economics for Public Policy*

Regulatory Analysis*

Fiscal Governance and Budgeting*

Development Economics*

You can find the most up-to-date list of option courses in the Programme Regulations section of the current School Calendar.

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

Teaching methods and assessment

This programme is taught over 22 months, in modular blocks. The unique teaching arrangements are designed specifically to be suitable for participants in full-time employment.

The teaching in the Policy in Practice workshops is based on a series of case studies that are taught by specialists in a particular policy area. They are complemented by presentations by policy practitioners involved in the policy area.

Study on campus will be complemented by preparatory readings, online revision material and support between modules including Zoom sessions and online office hours with highly-qualified teaching fellows.

Courses are assessed by a combination of written assignments and exams.

You can view indicative details of hours, teaching staff, and assessment in the Calendar present in each 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.

Careers

The Executive MPA is a transformational programme that provides skills and knowledge to enhance your career prospects and options in the area of public policy. LSE Executive MPA alumni occupy leading positions in a wide range of public and private sector organisations around the world including governments, international organisations, major consultancies, financial services companies, charities and think tanks.  

Visit the EMPA student directory to find out about our current cohort of students. 

Career support and professional development 

EMPA students receive customised support appropriate for more experienced professionals including events specifically for experienced hires, a programme of one-to-one executive coaching, and a ‘soft’ skills development programme.  

In addition to custom careers support EMPA students can access the resources of the central LSE Careers service.  Many leading organisations give careers presentations at the LSE 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

Student stories

For more EMPA alumni stories visit the SPP 'Alumni in Action' page.

Anikka Weerasinghe

Executive Master of Public Administration, 2016
Head of News at the UK Cabinet Office 

Anikka-Weerasinghe-170x230

The EMPA provided me with new tools to critically analyse and assess major policy problems. It deepened my understanding of global complexities and trends. The programme also refined my approach to problem-solving at work, helped me to reframe my career objectives, and encouraged me to better articulate what I want for my future. This was supported by the professional career coaching service offered. The programme opened my eyes to new opportunities, and as a result I was able to secure interviews and a new placement within weeks of graduation.

 

Mike Lynch

Executive Master of Public Administration, 2016
Chief Human Potential Officer at DAQRI

Mike-Lync-170x230

My classmates were amazing and remain good friends to date. The faculty and team working with the program partnered with each person and helped make this an incredible experience that I will forever look back on as one of the best decisions I have made both personally and professionally.

For more EMPA alumni stories visit the SPP 'Alumni in Action' page.

Class profile

Below is a snapshot overview of all students who registered to study the EMPA from 2013-2021

  • 66 nationalities
  • 52 locations
  • age range: 25-55 years
  • average age: 37 years

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, travel or fieldwork.

Tuition fees 2023/24 for Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA)

Home students, first year: £18,311 (2023/24)
Overseas students, first year: £18,311 (2023/24)
Home students, second year: £18,311 (2024/25)
Overseas students, second year: £18,311 (2024/25)

Table of fees

Fee status

For this programme, the tuition fee is the same for all students regardless of their fee status.

Scholarships and other funding

This programme is not eligible for LSE 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

Contact us

Programme and admissions enquiries

If you have any queries related to your application or the admissions process, please check the EMPA frequently asked questions webpage.

If you have any programme or admissions queries which are not answered on the website, please contact the EMPA Programme Team via email at Spp.Exec.Admissions@lse.ac.uk 

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