Overview
Introduction
This Executive MSc in Cities is designed for public, private, and third-sector leaders involved in delivering large-scale change in cities.
The programme draws on LSE’s interdisciplinary strengths. You’ll analyse urban projects and policies from rigorous economic, social and environmental perspectives, studying topics such as urban economics, infrastructure and environmental sustainability.
At every stage, you’ll apply theoretical concepts to real-world urban issues. You’ll complete a six-month consultancy project (in your organisation or externally) – giving you the chance to apply your learning and craft policy and programme interventions. Taught in intensive, modular blocks, this programme is run by LSE Cities, a leading international centre that informs urban development around the world. Our global network of city leaders and urban specialists puts the latest research into action.
Throughout the Executive MSc in Cities, you’ll engage with practitioners from local government, research institutions, development and design, urban consultancies, and infrastructure firms. You’ll gain real-life insights and practical experience – setting you up with the skills to drive urban transformation and shape sustainable development in your sector.
Please note: the 2025/26 programme will be taught on a “hybrid-flex” basis, allowing you to attend in-person teaching in London or remotely via Zoom to suit your needs (subject to LSE and UK government guidance). Find out more about the hybrid-flex arrangement.
Entry requirements
Upper second class honours (2.1) degree or equivalent in any discipline or equivalent professional qualification, plus, typically, a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in an urban related public/private/third sector, or another sector.
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
The Executive MSc in Cities comprises five modules followed by a urban consultancy project. Each teaching module includes collaborative work, online learning activities completed in your own time and live teaching weeks. Modules also include assessment for each specific course. You'll attend LSE for five one-week live teaching weeks, over a 12-month period, either in-person or remotely. The compulsory six-month urban consultancy project will be undertaken in your own organisation or for an external organisation.
Live teaching week dates
Week 1: 29 September - 3 October 2025
Week 2: 24 - 28 November 2025
Week 3: 23 - 27 February 2026
Week 4: 27 April - 1 May 2026
Week 5: 15 - 19 June 2026
Year 1
Year 2
Why study with us
LSE Cities is an international centre that investigates the complexities of the contemporary city. It carries out research, graduate and executive education, advisory and engagement activities in London and abroad. Extending LSE’s century-old commitment to the understanding of urban society, LSE Cities investigates how complex urban systems are responding to the pressures of growth, change and globalisation with new infrastructures of design and governance that both complement and threaten social equity and environmental sustainability. LSE Cities was awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education for 2016-2018 in recognition of its work on training, research and policy formulation for cities of the future and a new generation of urban leaders around the world.
LSE Cities hosts a wide range of international conferences, public lecture series, seminars and awards that span the core of our research goals, and works to consolidate a growing network of urban experts.
LSE Cities is affiliated with the School of Public Policy and the Department of Sociology.
Connect with us:
- LinkedIn: LSE Cities
- Youtube: @UrbanAge
- X/Twitter: @LSECities
Meet the department
The School of Public Policy aims to equip the next generation of policy and political leaders with the skills needed to improve people’s lives and transform societies.
The School is at the heart of LSE – ranked the top university in London and number 6 in the world for social science and management subjects. Situated in the centre of a global city, LSE is the perfect place to study and contribute to public policy debates.
Our programmes enable students to develop rigorous and empirical skills underpinning evidence-based policymaking. Students learn how to apply these skills to real-world problems and contexts.
We have an inclusive, diverse community, open to enquiring minds. From small beginnings, the School of Public Policy now has a thriving community of more than 400 students taking a wide range of degrees.
Public policy and public service are the founding missions of LSE – which was created in 1895 “to understand the causes of things and for the betterment of society”. This perfectly captures the mission of the School of Public Policy more than 100 years later.
Connnect with us
Find out more about SPP activities, faculty news, upcoming events and student life by connecting with us on social media:
- Linkedin: LSE School of Public Policy
- Instagram: @lsepublicpolicy
- X/Twitter: @lsepublicpolicy
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 2024
Carbon 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.
Who applies
We welcome applications from experienced working professionals based in any location who are committed to leading large-scale change in cities.
Our alumni include senior city officials, architects, politicians, entrepreneurs, property developers, urban designers, city planners and academics. However, we'll consider applications from all experienced professionals who want to understand and deliver change in cities.
Request a consultation
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. 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 fieldwork, travel or living costs in London.
Learning and assessment
How you learn
How you're assessed
The modules are assessed by a combination of individual essays/reports, individual and group presentations and the individual consultancy report.
You can view indicative details of hours, teaching staff, and assessment in the Calendar within each course guide.
Graduate destinations
Overview
Further information on graduate destinations for this programme
Many leading organisations give careers presentations at the School 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.
Median salary of our graduate taught 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.