LSE-Columbia Double Master of Public Administration

This two-year programme gives you the chance to earn two degrees and study at two globally renowned institutions: LSE and Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA).

In the first year at LSE, you’ll develop your understanding of political science, economics and quantitative analysis and the principles underlying good public policy. The second year at SIPA builds on this methodological training. You’ll choose one policy specialisation and complete an industry project with an external client, applying your learnings to a real-world policy challenge.

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to the combined resources, opportunities and networks of both prestigious institutions and deepen your understanding of policy challenges in contrasting cultural environments. You’ll learn with peers from a wide range of nationalities and fields – enriching your learning further.

Your double degree credentials and international insights will give you an added edge over other graduates. You’ll gain the skills and expertise to address complex policy issues and pursue a high-level career in government, international organisations, the private sector or NGOs.

Year one: School of Public Policy (SPP), London School of Economics and Political Science

In the first year, you'll take three compulsory courses, in micro- and macro-economics, political science and public policy and quantitative approaches and policy analysis. These provide a rigorous foundation to support you during the rest of the degree.

Micro and Macro Economics for Public Policy: you'll learn macro- and micro- economic concepts, models and methods suitable for appraising policy, applicable in a wide variety of contexts. This includes the study of demand and supply, the labour market, public goods, market failure, inflation and monetary policy, fiscal policy and debt, and exchange rates.

Political Science and Public Policy: you'll learn concepts and models for understanding the behaviour of political actors and why they lead to particular outcomes. This includes the study of voting, political parties, interest groups, legislative politics, corruption, democratisation and ethnic conflict. These tools are essential for designing policy interventions to achieve desired future outcomes.

Quantitative Approaches and Policy Analysis: you'll learn skills for the quantitative evaluation of public policies, such as causal relationships; randomised control trials; difference-in-difference estimation; instrumental variables; regression discontinuity designs and cost-benefit analysis.

You're also required to choose one unit of courses from a list of choices to further develop core skills but in a direction you choose – see below. Your choice of option courses (electives) should be based on your academic strengths and interests.

View the programme structure (image)

Year Two: School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), Columbia University

Concentration and specialisation courses

All students have to choose:

• One concentration, consisting of five courses
• One specialisation, consisting of three courses.

Students can choose to concentrate in Economic and Political Development, Climate Energy and Environment, Human Rights and Humanitarian Policy, International Finance and Economic Policy, International Security Policy, or Urban and Social Policy.

Browse the list of specialisations

The student’s second year curriculum will therefore be dependent on what they choose to concentrate and specialise in.

Capstone Workshop

All students are required to enrol in a faculty-supervised Capstone workshop which give them an opportunity to put learning into practice. Find out more

Assessment

Most courses are assessed with a combination of exams, written assignments, class participation, and group projects depending on what is best suited to the subject matter.

Note: this curriculum relates to 2024/25.

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

Applicants for this programme will need to apply for the LSE/Columbia MPA double degree programme directly via the LSE application process. Applicants don't need to apply separately for the MPA programmes at both universities.

All applications are considered by an admissions panel composed of representatives from both LSE and Columbia SIPA.

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.

Data sharing

Double degrees and certain other degrees and scholarships require that LSE shares personal data with another university or partner. In our agreements we will use the School’s standard data sharing template for universities and partners in the EU and EEA and in an adequate country. Standard contract clauses will be used for any other country. If you have any questions about this or how your personal data will be treated by LSE, please contact the Data Protection Officer via glpd.info.rights@lse.ac.uk or check our Student Privacy Notice.

Information Events

• SPP Information Sessions

Throughout the year we'll be hosting online SPP programme information sessions for prospective students. These sessions provide an opportunity for prospective students to interact with our faculty and students to find out more about a specific SPP programme. Details of upcoming sessions can be found on our website and we also encourage you to register your interest to hear more about our upcoming sessions.

• LSE information events and videos

LSE also have a number of webinars, videos, student blogs and student video diaries which will help you gain an insight into what it's like to study more broadly at LSE

Experience LSE from home

LSE representatives also travel around the world to meet with prospective students at information fairs and events

Find details on LSE's upcoming visits

• Visit LSE

Come on a guided campus tour, attend an undergraduate open day, drop into our office or go on a self-guided tour.

Find out about opportunities to visit LSE.

Contact us

• Admissions: LSE Graduate Admissions Knowledge Base (An online resource for quick answers)
• For applicants and offer holders when information is not available via the Knowledge Base please contact: spp.admissions@lse.ac.uk (please state your LSE ID number in the title)
• Fees and Funding queries: Visit LSE Financial Support Office webpages
• Visa queries: Visit LSE Student Advice and Engagement webpages
• Year 1 programme (LSE) queries: Double Degree Programmes at London School of Economics and Political Science Email: spp.doubledegrees@lse.ac.uk
• Year 2 programme (Columbia SIPA) queries
  Email: Alleyne Waysome aaw54@sipa.columbia.edu or Urbano Garza utg1@sipa.columbia.edu

To be considered for the programme applicants will need to submit a complete application for admission to LSE by the deadline of 17 March 2025. A complete application for admission means that the programme application has been submitted, all necessary documents have been uploaded, the application assessment fee has been paid and both referees have replied to their reference requests.

Please note that submitted applications will be considered prior to the closing date, so we encourage applicants to submit their application as early as possible.

Year 1 (at LSE, 2025/26):

Home students: £32,400

Year 2 (at Columbia, 2026/27):

Home students: Columbia fee and additional supplementary costs

Year 1 (at LSE, 2025/26):

Overseas students: £32,400

Year 2 (at Columbia, 2026/27):

Overseas students: Columbia fee and additional supplementary costs

Assessment at LSE

Teaching hours vary according to courses and you can view indicative details in the Calendar within the Teaching section of each course guide.

All taught courses include formative coursework which doesn't contribute towards the final grade. It's designed to help prepare you for summative assessment which counts towards the course mark and to the degree award. We use 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.

Assessment at Columbia

Most courses are assessed with a combination of exams, written assignments, class participation, and group projects depending on what is best suited to the subject matter.

Find out more information on assessment

The LSE-Columbia (SIPA) MPA double degree provides students with the opportunity to develop professional skills and experience to give them a head start over other graduates in seeking post-study employment in a relevant sector. The double degree is an excellent career decision with many global employers attracted to both the intellectual rigour and the practical applications of the course. The degree equips professionals with the skills to make an immediate impact for employers in the public sector, private companies, non-governmental and inter-governmental organisations around the world.

Students will benefit from the careers support, resources and networks of both prestigious universities.

Opportunity to apply for a post-study work visa in the USA - you can apply to complete practical training/work experience in the US after finishing your degree. You’ll need to complete certain courses that qualify you for a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) designated degree and hold an F-1 student visa.

London School of Economics and Political Science

At the heart of the SPP is an emphasis on helping our students shape and enhance their future careers in policy-related fields. SPP students come to LSE from very diverse professional backgrounds, and it is our priority to support each of you as you move to the next stage of your career.

LSE Careers offers students a programme of support throughout their studies and after graduation.

In particular, students at LSE SPP have access to:

• one-to-one coaching in all aspects of career planning and professional development careers discussions with the School of Public Policy's Careers Consultant
• a weekly SPP Careers newsletter, compiled by a student employee, with relevant short-term and long-term opportunities
• Q&A events with alumni working in particular sectors of interest
• SPP-only discussions to employers including through visits to offices to discuss career options and learn about different employment sectors
• access to LSE Careerhub, listing hundreds of opportunities, from short-term volunteering and internships to full-time positions for experienced professionals
• Careers Impact Sessions which takes place early in year 1, followed by a networking evening with employers in relevant sectors
• specialist careers seminars run by LSE Careers, including sessions on CVs and cover letters, career management, networking, interviews and advice specific to particular employment sectors

Many leading organisations give careers presentations at the School during the year. LSE Careers has a wide range of resources available to assist students in their job search. Find out more about the support available.

SPP Professional Skills Accelerator

The SPP also offers an extensive and tailored programme of Professional Skills for Public Policy which is especially designed to complement the skills and insights that you gain as part of your programme curriculum and equip you with the necessary skills for the next step in your career.

You'll benefit from a series of training workshops with experienced practitioners and experts in key areas of professional development such as leadership, negotiation and persuasive communication.

Columbia University - School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA)

Through career advising, a professional development course, career events, recruitment and employer outreach programmes, and networking opportunities, the Career Advancement Center provides students and alumni with the necessary tools to successfully manage their professional development throughout their careers.

Find out more about careers support and resources at SIPA