MSc Inequalities and Social Science

In an age of rapid economic and social change, the study of inequality has become one of the most important research areas in the social sciences field.

This interdisciplinary programme examines the socioeconomic causes and impacts of global inequalities, drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives from sociology, anthropology, economics, geography, law and statistics.

You’ll develop your theoretical awareness of different types of inequality and the role of political institutions in combating these challenges. Typical topics covered include gender, class, social mobility, race and cultural representations.

You’ll complete rigorous research skills training and learn how to measure and analyse social inequality – preparing you to conduct research or policy analysis in your future career.

LSE is home to leading academics and thinkers in the inequalities research field. Our department is closely connected with the International Inequalities Institute – which brings together academics and researchers from across LSE to understand the reasons behind escalating inequality across the world and to develop effective solutions. So, you’ll be learning from leading thinkers in the field.

This programme opens the doors to many different careers in policymaking, research, international organisations and NGOs.

A limited number of fully funded places are available to successful applicants on the Residential Track of the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity (AFSEE) programme. The fellowship programme brings together policymakers, activists, practitioners, artists, and researchers from around the world to explore and challenge the root causes of inequality. AFSEE provides a generous living stipend and covers tuition fees for the MSc Inequalities and Social Science.

• T Atkinson Inequality: what can be done? (Harvard Press, 2015)
• H Dean and L Platt Social Advantage and Disadvantage (Oxford Press, 2015)
• B Milanovic Global Inequality: A new approach for the age of globalization (Harvard Press, 2016)
• Shaheen, F Know your place: how society sets us up to fail (Simon and Schuster, London, 2023)

You'll take the core course, and at least one methods course. All students who are expecting to study for PhDs will be strongly encouraged to do additional methods courses.

In addition, you'll choose options from an approved list of courses from within the Sociology department as well as from the contributing departments, all of which have been chosen to showcase the expertise of these departments in the area of inequality.

You'll also complete a dissertation of up to 10,000 words on a subject of interest related to the courses. You'll choose your topic in conjunction with your academic adviser. It can be empirical or theoretical in its approach, and can be an inter-disciplinary inquiry or a dissertation potentially located in any of the disciplines involved in this MSc.

Students taking part in the MSc programme as Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity will take an additional course called Leadership and Social Change and are not required to take a methods course.

The Department of Sociology conducts world-class research and teaching on some of the most challenging social and ethical issues facing society today.

Founded in 1904, our academics have contributed to shaping research and thinking in the field nationally and internationally.

We're committed to research and scholarship that is socially and politically relevant. The department’s research is organised into five clusters: economic sociology; politics and human rights; social inequalities; knowledge, culture and technology; and urban sociology. We engage in major debates at the intersection of economics, politics and society on issues such as migration, urban ecology and climate change.

With a thriving research community, we play an active role in several research centres and institutes, including LSE Cities, LSE Human Rights and the LSE International Inequalities Institute. Our research has a global impact, informing decision-making and policy for numerous governments, NGOs and international organisations.

Our research expertise is reflected in our teaching curriculum. The department offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, with 500 students engaged in learning and research at any one time.

We’re a lively department, with a regular programme of events involving workshops, conferences and collaborations with internal and external partners. We’re also home to the British Journal of Sociology, the UK’s leading publication in the field.

We're ranked first in the UK for Sociology in the Guardian University Guide (2026), and third in the Complete University Guide (2026).

Learn more about our programmes and research.

Explore the Department of Sociology

the Department of Sociology

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 (see further information below for Atlantic Fellows applicants only)
• 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.

Statement of academic purpose: specific requirements for Atlantic Fellows applicants only

Your statement(s) should be typed and no longer than two sides of A4 paper. There's no fixed word limit, but we expect statement(s) to be no longer than 1,000 - 1,500 words.

In your statement(s), you should address the following depending on whether you're doing the residential or non-residential programme:

a. Atlantic Fellows Residential programme with MSc Inequalities and Social Science

• Why are you interested in joining the AFSEE programme and what do you hope to gain by being part of it? In your answer, please:
  • Describe what area of socioeconomic inequality you engage in and the type of work you have done.
  • Please give examples of how you have meaningfully contributed to collective endeavours to address inequalities.
  • Explain why you would like to learn more about social and economic equity and how this will contribute to your social change work.
  • Explain, in one to two paragraphs, the MSc dissertation you plan to undertake as part of the requirements of the MSc in Inequalities and Social Science.
• Within 5 years of completing the AFSEE programme, what do you hope to achieve in your work/field? How do you see participation in the AFSEE programme contributing to you achieving those goals?
• What academic knowledge would you like to gain via the MSc in Inequalities and Social Science and how do you plan to apply this knowledge to your future work on social change?
• Please indicate any research interests.

b. Atlantic Fellows Non-Residential programme with MSc Inequalities and Social Science

• Why are you interested in joining the AFSEE programme and what do you hope to gain by being a part of it? In your answer, please:
  • Describe the area of socioeconomic inequality you engage in and the type of work you have done.
  • Give examples of how you have meaningfully contributed to collective endeavours to address inequalities.
  • Explain why you'd like to learn more about social and economic equity and how this will contribute to your social change work.
  • What is the project you're planning to undertake as a part of the AFSEE programme? Explain it in two paragraphs.
• Within 5 years of completing the AFSEE programme, what do you hope to achieve in your work / field? How do you see the AFSEE programme contributing to you achieving these goals?

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.

For this programme, the tuition fee is different for home and overseas students depending on their fee status.

For this programme, the tuition fee is different for home and overseas students depending on their fee status.

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 assessment may be conducted during the course or by final examination at the end of the course. An indication of the formative coursework and summative assessment for each course can be found in the relevant course guide.

Students go into a wide variety of fields where inequalities are addressed, including government, NGOs, politics, public administration, the social and health services, advertising, journalism, other areas of the media, law, publishing, industry, personnel and management. Those supported by residential Atlantic Fellowships will already be working in fields where their work relates to inequalities in some form.

Information on graduate destinations for the International Inequalities Institute.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

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.