Skip to main content
LSE students attentively engage in a lecture.
Graduate (Taught)
Application code:M1T3
Department of Government

MSc Public Policy and Administration

The programme offers high-quality teaching by leading scholars in public administration, public management, public policy and political science.

Overview

Introduction

The MSc Public Policy and Administration programme offers high-quality teaching by leading scholars in public administration, public management, public policy and political science.

You'll take a compulsory course in Approaches and Issues in Public Policy and Administration and will choose from a number of courses in the areas of public management and public policy, in addition to a methods course, and completing a dissertation. By taking appropriate combinations of courses you can obtain the MSc with a specialised stream in Comparative Public Policy and Administration or Public Management, and can choose to have the specialisation noted on your degree certificate.

Entry requirements

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

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 courses to the value of four full units in total, made up of compulsory courses, including a dissertation, and optional courses from a range of public management, comparative public policy and administration options.

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.

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.

436
Applications
52
Intake
8:1
2023 Ratio

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.

Home

£33,000

Home student fee (2025/26)

For this programme, all students pay the same tuition fees, regardless of their fee status.

Learning and assessment

How you learn

Graduate destinations

Overview

Graduates of this programme follow careers in a broad variety of fields including education, public policy research, advice and consultancy as well as government and the media. They've gone on to occupy senior positions in a range of organisations including the Financial Times, the National Audit Office, Morgan Stanley, the World Bank, leading universities and research institutes worldwide as well as the national, regional and local civil services of many countries.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Median salary of our postgraduate students 15 months after graduating:

£38,000

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

Government, Public Sector and Policy
Education, Teaching and Research
Consultancy
Financial and Professional Services
Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities
This data is drawn from the 2021/22 Graduate Outcomes Survey, run by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and in full-time employment.

Find out more

Explore LSE

Student life

Discover our campus and student services
Welcome at LSE

Student support

Find out more about our academic guidance, advice and pastoral care
A group of students sitting with an advisor at a LSE LIFE session

Accommodation

Explore the accommodation services we offer to our students
Two students taking part in Action for Happiness held in LSE Residences during London Wellbeing Week 2020.

Meet, visit and discover LSE

Attend our in-person events or explore LSE from home
Campus tour guide during a campus tour for prospective students.