MSc Political Sociology

How is power negotiated in our society? Why are some social movements more successful than others? How can we explain the rise in populism? Navigate these questions and more on this interdisciplinary programme.

This programme equips you with the analytical tools and empirical knowledge to understand the fundamental forces that have shaped, and are shaping, the world in which we live.

You’ll examine classic empirical and historical questions about the relationship between politics and society, delving into the links between political ideologies, social identities and cultural phenomena. You’ll also assess the strengths and weaknesses of key theories that have dominated the study of political sociology and analyse the writings of seminal thinkers.

The programme gives you the flexibility to pursue your interests on diverse topics such as migration, class, politics and culture, internationalism and many other themes.

You’ll hone your written and oral communication skills, developing your capacity for rigorous argument. Seminar discussion and essay writing will foster your critical thinking and analytical abilities, enabling you to challenge commonly accepted ideas and draw your own evidence-based conclusions.

This programme provides a gateway to careers in research, teaching, politics, diplomacy, policymaking, public administration, journalism and the media.

• B Anderson Imagined Communities (Verso Books, 2012)
• R Archer Why is There No Labour Party in the United States? (Princeton University Press, 2010)
• M McQuarrie et al Democratizing Inequalities (Princeton University Press, 2015)
• P Evans et al Bringing the State Back In (Cambridge University Press, 1985)
• S M Lipset 'The Social Requisites of Democracy Revisited', American Sociological Review, vol 59 (Springer, 1995)
• S Lukes Power: A Radical View (Palgrave McMillian, 2004)
• D McAdam Comparative Perspectives on Social Movements (Cambridge University Press, 1996)
• M Mann The Sources of Social Power (Cambridge University Press, 1986)
• M Olson The Logic of Collective Action (Harvard University Press, 1974)
• T Skocpol Protecting Soldiers and Mothers (Harvard University Press, 1995)
• C Tilly Coercion, Capital and European States (Wiley-Blackwell, 1993)

The compulsory course, Politics and Society, explores a series of fundamental questions about the social bases of politics and the relationship between states and societies. It examines the interaction between economic interests, political institutions, and ideological norms. It has a strong empirical and historical component, which provides an opportunity to engage with some of the classic puzzles that have defined the field, to expand your knowledge of a number of countries and to systematically compare their experiences. Special additional seminars cover some key theoretical approaches and methods in the social sciences and provide a forum for exploring their use in your own work.

You'll also choose optional courses up to the value of two units from a particularly wide range of options. This choice of options enables you to engage with either empirical or theoretical topics, or a mixture of both.

Finally, you'll complete a 10,000-word dissertation. This gives you a chance to develop your thinking in an area that is of particular interest to you, and to produce an extended piece of individual research.

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
• 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.

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 range of professions including academic research, teaching, politics, diplomacy, government policy-making, public administration, journalism, the media, law, publishing, industry, and management, as well as working for think tanks, activist groups, international bodies, and non-governmental organisations.

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.