Executive Master of Public Administration

This Executive Master of Public Administration is ideal if you’re looking to significantly develop your career in public service, in private sector organisations impacted by government regulation, or to transition from the private to the public sector.

Taught in intensive blocks over 22 months, the programme combines rigorous academic study with practical learning. You’ll develop your knowledge in policy analysis, economics, and political science and build your skills to tackle professional policy challenges in different settings and geographic regions.

The programme has a strong practical focus. You’ll hear from senior policymakers and learn how they’ve approached some of the most challenging policy issues of our time. The programme's modular format means you can instantly apply your learning to your work.

We have a friendly, welcoming academic community, with high-calibre students from all over the world and varied professional backgrounds. This degree shares classes with the Executive Master of Public Policy programme – which is open to experienced, senior leaders in the Civil Service. So, you’ll benefit from a diverse range of insights.

You’ll leave LSE with an evidence-based toolkit to help you develop and implement policies, tackle complex challenges and lead your organisation to new levels of success.

The EMPA doesn't require you to have prior knowledge of economics or statistics. At the start of each intake, we deliver a two-day Introduction to Statistics Workshop.

The workshop, which is not assessed, ensures that you're ready to undertake the EMPA by quickly and effectively bringing you up to the necessary level required to understand the concepts discussed in the courses that follow.

In your second year, you take the Public Policy in Practice worshop and also choose two option modules, which allow you to specialise in policy areas of particular interest to you. Furthermore, you can also "audit" a third option module that you fully participate in but don't submit an assessment. Please note that "audit" modules don't appear on transcripts.

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

School of Public Policy

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.

Contact us

A member of the EMPA team will be happy to talk to you about the programme's benefits and challenges, and the application process. Contact us at spp.exec.admissions@lse.ac.uk. We can also provide advice on suitability for the programme if you share a copy of your CV. Finally, we'd be happy to put you in contact with an EMPA alumnus to get a "student" perspective on the programme.

To learn more about the Executive MPA, visit the EMPA programme page in the Department's website.

If you have any queries related to your application or the admissions process, you may also wish to check the EMPA frequently asked questions webpage.

Since the EMPA started in 2013, the programme has recruited experienced working professionals representing 74 different nationalities, working across a wide range of public and private sector organisations. This professional experience and cultural and geographical diversity both enriches the learning experience and ensures that you'll graduate with an impressive global network united by a passion for using public policy to improve people's lives.

Explore our EMPA alumni profiles

Class profile (2024 intake)

• Gender: male 48%, female 52%
• Age range: 26 – 63
• Average age: 36
• Average professional experience: 12 years
• Nationalities represented: 74 (2013 – 2024 intakes)

Visit the EMPA webpages for a more detailed profile

Applications for this programme are considered on a rolling basis, meaning the programme will close once we have allocated all available space. There is no fixed deadline by which you need to apply, but we strongly recommend early application to avoid disappointment.

Year 1 (2025/26):

Home students: £20,600

Year 2 (2026/27):

Home students: £20,600

Students can pay via an instalment plan with six payments, three in each academic year.

Year 1 (2025/26):

Overseas students: £20,600

Year 2 (2026/27):

Overseas students: £20,600

Students can pay via an instalment plan with six payments, three in each academic year.

Courses are assessed by a combination of written assignments and exams. Assessments are submitted electronically from your location, which means that you don't have to return to LSE between modules.

The EMPA is a transformational programme that provides skills and knowledge to enhance your career prospects and options in the area of public policy. EMPA alumni occupy leading positions in a wide range of public and private sector organisations around the world including governments, international organisations, major consultancies, financial services companies, charities and think tanks.

If you'd like to better understand where our alumni are employed contact spp.exec.admissions@lse.ac.uk to discuss. We can also connect you to alumni in particular geographies or industry sectors if you'd like a consumer perspective on the programme.

Visit the EMPA student directory to find out about our current cohort of students.

EMPA students receive customised support appropriate for more experienced professionals including events specifically for experienced hires, a programme of one-to-one executive coaching, and a "soft" skills development programme.

In addition to custom careers support EMPA students can access the resources of the central LSE Careers service. Many leading organisations give careers presentations at the LSE 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.