Overview
Introduction
Data-driven insights are increasingly important in policymaking and analysis. This two-year programme will equip you with the technical, analytical and quantitative skills to address policy challenges in an increasingly data-driven world. The curriculum is highly interdisciplinary, and you’ll draw on tools and frameworks from political science, economics, econometrics and data science.
You’ll kick off with a pre-sessional coding boot camp, learning Python programming and refreshing your knowledge of key mathematical concepts. Subsequent core and optional courses build on these skills and apply them to public policy.
The first year provides rigorous training in data science, econometrics, quantitative tools and political science for public policy. In Year 2, you’ll deepen your knowledge in specific policy or data science domains.
You’ll also complete a six-month Capstone project – applying your quantitative, qualitative and coding skills to work on a real-world policy problem for an external client. This practical experience provides excellent preparation for a career in the sought after intersection of data science and policymaking.
By the time you graduate, you’ll be well-prepared for a variety of technical, policy, strategy and leadership roles in government, NGOs and the private sector.
Entry requirements
- Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in any discipline.
There is no formal requirement for previous professional work experience, but students starting the LSE MPA would normally have one year of professional experience and many would have two or more years of experience.
Please select your country from the dropdown list below to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.
Who should apply?
The MPA DSPP is a competitive programme and we are seeking applicants who can demonstrate a strong passion for both public policy and data-science. We particularly value applicants who have prior professional experience in related policy or data fields, but are open to promising recent graduates and those who are seeking a career pivot from a non-quantitative background. The programme will be small and highly curated.
Overseas
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
Preparation before your arrival
Prior to your arrival at LSE you'll receive details about optional readings and online learning materials which are designed to help you to prepare for the programme.
MPA-DSPP Introduction and Programming Bootcamp
Prior to the start of the Autumn Term in September, you'll need to attend a four-week introductory programming bootcamp from late August.
This bootcamp serves not only to introduce and review technical material but also to build camaraderie within the cohort and facilitate the transition to the more collaborative work and learning environment which differentiates graduate studies from many undergraduate programs. These introductory sessions are designed to accommodate and challenge students with various levels of prior experience in data science.
Class sessions will equip students with foundational computer programming skills and review key concepts in statistics and mathematics. Through a mix of lectures and open-study exercises, students will learn how to conduct independent data analysis across a range of public policy challenges they will study throughout the MPA and in their future careers.
Year 1
In the first year, you'll take four compulsory courses. These are in micro- and macro-economics, political science, quantitative methods of analysis and data science for public policy. The first three of these courses will be shared with the SPP’s MPA programme.
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.
Data Science for Public Policy: you'll learn key technical skills and tools in data gathering, management and visualisation as well as the main types of (non-causal) predictive models in Machine Learning, Deep Learning and Artificial Intelligence and related concepts with an emphasis on implications and applications for public life.
Year 2
The second year includes one and a half units of core courses and two and a half units of optional courses (electives). The one and a half units of core courses include the one-unit MPA-DSPP Capstone and half-unit course, Technology, Data and Policy.
Capstone Project: MPA - Data Science for Public Policy: you'll learn to carry out reproducible analysis and research, as part of a team, in order to address a practical policy issue relevant to a real-life client organisation. You'll submit both a written report and the code used for quantitative analysis. The capstone allows you to extend your capabilities by applying what you have learned in the MPA-DSPP core courses in a professional context.
Technology, Data Science and Policy: this compulsory half unit course presents a comparative and historically informed perspective on policy issues in technology, data science, and emerging technologies. The course has a non-technical, interdisciplinary approach that considers policy issues from the point of view of governance, security, ethics, and the law.
In addition, you will also take two and a half units of option courses (electives) to focus your studies in particular technical or non-technical areas in policy or data science. These electives may be chosen from a specified range available in the School of Public Policy or (with permission and subject to availability) from elsewhere in LSE, especially the Statistics, Methodology and Mathematics departments.
Pption courses (electives) to the value of two and a half units
Why study with us
Discover more about our students and department.
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 references
- CV.
See further information on supporting documents.
You may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. See our English language requirements.
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
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) - spp.admissions@lse.ac.uk
- Programme queries: spp.datascience@lse.ac.uk
- Fees and Funding queries: Visit SE Financial Support Office webpages
- Visa queries: Visit LSE Student Advice and Engagement webpages
Who attends
LSE SPP is a dynamic community of global policy professionals. In 2022 we welcomed over of 350 new and returning students who represent over 50 nationalities.
We welcomed our first ever MPA-DSPP cohort in August 2023. Our MPA-DSPP are a special smaller cohort of 18 students representing 12 nationalities and a range of professional backgrounds. They benefit from belonging to a smaller cohort whilst also learning alongside our larger MPA cohort of approx. 75-100 students.
Their combined experience encourages a mature and reflective approach to study that draws on professional skills and experience gained prior to the programme.
This diversity is a major strength, providing many different national, economic and societal perspectives to problems and solutions of public policy.
When to apply
Our early application deadline is 20 January 2025.
Whilst we'll consider applications for admission after this date, we encourage all applicants to apply by this date as our MPA-DSPP programme is particularly competitive and will close to new applications once spaces are full.
Fees and funding
The table of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes.
You're charged a fee for your programme. At LSE, 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 living costs or travel or fieldwork.
Learning and assessment
How you learn
How you're assessed
All taught courses include formative coursework which does not 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 assessment/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.
Graduate destinations
Overview
Studying at the LSE School of Public Policy is an excellent career decision with employers across the globe attracted both to the intellectual rigour and the practical applications of our curricula.
The MPA-DSPP is designed to produce well-rounded professionals who make an immediate impact for employers in the public sector, private companies, non-governmental and inter-governmental organisations around the world, including government departments and agencies, consultancies and international development agencies. The MPA-DSPP will be especially attractive to the growing number of employers that value computer programming skills and quantitative analysis.
Graduates of the MPA-DSPP will be well placed to pursue careers in a wide range of sectors including Government and Politics, Consultancy, Financial Services, NGOs & Charities, Technology Firms, Research & Think Tanks, International Development and Aid, Public Policy, and International Finance and Trade.
The MPA-DSPP is a new programme which welcomed its first cohort in 2023 and we'll celebrate our first graduates in 2025.
Our SPP graduates go on to pursue careers in a wide range of sectors with popular destinations including; Government and Politics, Consultancy, Financial Services, NGOs & Charities, Data, Research & Think Tanks, International Development and Aid, Public Policy, and International Finance and Trade.
Our Alumni
The SPP boasts of a strong global community of over 2,000 alumni. Our international network of alumni not only transforms the world around them by designing policy to tackle some of the world’s leading problems in the top levels of government, international organisations, and NGOs – but also makes our community a vibrant and supportive one long after graduation.
Alumni benefits
As part of LSE SPP’s alumni engagement programme our alumni stay connected via our regualr newsletters and in-person and virtual professional development and social events throughout the year.
Our alumni also connect regularly with our students throughout their studies and share their expertise through our student mentoring scheme and our career Q&A series.
As well as belonging to LSE School of Public Policy’s alumni network, SPP students will also belong to LSE’s prestigious alumni network of over 220,000 alumni across the world.
Find out more about our SPP alumni and their career journeys after graduation.
Career support
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.