Overview
Introduction
Political theory is the study of how we do and should think about the nature and organisation of political life and its limits. It's a contested, and exciting field of inquiry, featuring historical, normative, comparative and applied approaches that are often informed by adjacent debates in moral philosophy, legal theory, historical studies, and political science.
Central normative research questions for contemporary political theory include: How might a legitimate or just state be constituted? What gives rulers the authority to rule, and do citizens have a duty to obey? How much, if any, inequality is just? At the same time, political theory constantly finds itself revising its substantive concerns and theoretical assumptions – both in response to actual political developments and by following the dynamic of its own critical inquiry. Thus, feminist thinkers have queried the classic private/public distinction and with it received conceptions of “the political”. Theorists of global justice interrogate the limits of state-bounded political morality. Post-colonial theory and comparative political theory explore alternative traditions and marginalized voices to re-think mainstream assumptions.
Currently, there are eight political theorists in the Department of Government, which is one of the largest concentrations of specialists in the world. Staff research interests are in diverse areas including comparative political theory, contemporary normative theory, the history of political thought, feminist theory, and rational and social choice theory. Our aim is to expose students to a wide array of different normative issues and methods of inquiry and thereby to enable them to engage critically and constructively with the challenges of an increasingly global political context.
Our programme includes a compulsory course which gives you an overview of the methodological diversity within political theory, and a wide range of optional courses that allow you to focus in on areas of more specific interest to you. You'll also complete a 10,000 word dissertation, giving you the opportunity to conduct independent research on an approved topic of your choice. The programme is a good preparation for further research work, or for a career in education, public administration, NGOs or the private sector.
Preliminary readings
- J S Dryzek, B Honig and A Phillips Oxford Handbook of Political Theory (Oxford University Press, 2008)
- R L Euben Journeys to the Other Shore (Princeton University Press, 2008)
- M Fricker Epistemic Injustice (Oxford University Press, 2007)
- M Rosen and J Wolff (eds.) Political Thought (Oxford University Press, 2010)
- B Williams In the Beginning was the Deed (Princeton University Press, 2005)
Entry requirements
Upper second class honours degree (2:1) or equivalent in any discipline with a considered interest in the relevant areas covered by the MSc.
Please select your country from the dropdown list below to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.
Overseas
English language requirements
The English language requirement for this programme is Higher. Read more about our English language requirements.
Competition for places at LSE is strong. So, even if you meet the minimum entry requirements, this does not guarantee you an offer of a place.
However, please don’t feel deterred from applying – we want to hear from all suitably qualified students. Think carefully about how you can put together the strongest possible application to help you stand out from other students.
Programme content
Year 1
You'll take the compulsory half-unit course Foundations of Political Theory and write a 10,000-word dissertation. In addition, you'll choose the equivalent of two and a half unit courses from the course options and suitable courses from other programmes in the department and School, with the approval of the MSc course convenor.
Optional courses to the value of two and a half units
Why study with us
Discover more about our students and department.
Meet the department
The Department of Government is an internationally renowned centre for teaching and research on politics and government.
Within our department, we have 850 undergraduates, postgraduates and research students and more than 40 faculty staff – who come from 80 countries.
Our research focuses on six main areas:
- comparative politics
- conflict studies
- political behaviour and political psychology
- political economy and institutional analysis
- political theory
- public policy and public administration.
The department’s work covers national, sub-national and global politics – with a strong emphasis on public-facing research.
Teaching within the department draws on these strengths and our central role in a prestigious social science institution. As a student, you’ll learn from internationally renowned academics and study in the heart of London, close to the UK’s political heartland in Westminster and the Houses of Parliament.
Our students gain the knowledge and skills to become sharp-minded critical thinkers who apply diverse analytical perspectives to political issues and conflicts around the globe. We encourage students to reflect on what it means to be responsible for addressing urgent public problems and engage in these issues in practical ways to prepare for their future careers. Our graduates find fulfilling roles in government, financial and professional services, teaching and research.
Learn more about our programmes, research, public events and people.
Why LSE
University of the Year 2025 and 1st in the UK
Times and The Sunday Times - Good University Guide 20251st in London for the 13th year running
The Complete University Guide - University League Tables 20256th In the world
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024Carbon Neutral In 2021, LSE became the first Carbon Neutral verified university in the UK
Your application
Overview
We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students. At LSE, we want to recruit students with the best academic merit, potential and motivation, irrespective of background.
We carefully consider each application and take into account all the information included on your application form, such as your:
- academic achievement (including predicted and achieved grades)
- statement of academic purpose
- two academic references
- CV.
See further information on supporting documents.
You may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. See our English language requirements.
When to apply
Applications for this programme are considered on a rolling basis. This means that applications will close once the programme is full.
There is no fixed deadline. However, if you’d like to be considered for any funding opportunities, you must submit your application (and all supporting documents) by the funding deadline. See the fees and funding section below for more details.
Fees and funding
The table of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes.
You're charged a fee for your programme. At LSE, your tuition 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 doesn't cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.
Learning and assessment
How you learn
How you're assessed
All taught courses are required to include formative coursework which is unassessed. It's designed to help prepare you for summative assessment which counts towards the course mark and to the degree award. LSE uses a range of formative assessment, such as essays, problem sets, case studies, reports, quizzes, mock exams and many others. Summative methods of assessment differ from course to course, and may include unseen written exams in the Spring Term and/or assessed essays (and in some cases assessment may be offered online). In addition you'll meet with your supervisor and work on your dissertation. An indication of the formative coursework and summative assessment for each course can be found in the relevant course guide.
You'll write a 10,000-word dissertation on a topic agreed with your supervisor. Dissertations should reflect the training that you have acquired by applying methods such as formal theory, quantitative methods or textual analysis.
Graduate destinations
Overview
This programme is a good preparation for further research work or for a career in education, public administration or the private sector.
Further information on graduate destinations for this programme
Median salary of our postgraduate students 15 months after graduating:
Top 5 sectors our students work in:
Career support
From CV workshops through to careers fairs, LSE offers lots of information and support to help you make that all-important step from education into work.
Many of the UK’s top employers give careers presentations at the School during the year and there are numerous workshops covering topics such as job hunting, managing interviews, writing a cover letter and using LinkedIn.
See LSE Careers for further details.