MSc Gender, Peace and Security

Overview

Introduction
Preliminary readings

Introduction

This unique, multidisciplinary programme explores the ways in which gender is understood in and shapes regional, national and global peace and security issues and policies.

The MSc draws on critical gender theory and empirical research that are international and transnational in scope, as well as interdisciplinary texts and perspectives from theory, policy, and practice.

Located in the Department of Gender Studies, you’ll benefit from LSE’s diverse community of researchers, as well as our lively public events offering.

The programme is ideal for early-career students who would like to work in relevant fields. It's also suitable for those who have a professional background in conflict and post-conflict work, and want to further their expertise in gender, peace and security. It also provides a good foundation for pursuing a doctorate in related disciplines and subfields.

Entry requirements

Upper second class honours degree (2:1) or equivalent in relevant discipline.

Please select your country from the dropdown list below to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

Overseas

Overseas

English language requirements

The English language requirement for this programme is Higher. Read more about our English language requirements.

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

Year 1

Year 1

You'll take three compulsory courses, options to the value of one and a half units and a dissertation.

GI424

Half unit

Gender Theories: An Interdisciplinary Approach

GI425

Half unit

Introduction to Gender, Peace and Security

GI499

One unit

Dissertation - Independent Research Project

Courses to the value of one unit and one and a half units (depending on previous selections) from a range of options

Browse your options

For the latest list of courses, please go to the relevant School Calendar page.

A few important points you’ll need to know:

We may need to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees due to unforeseen circumstances. We’ll always notify you as early as possible and recommend alternatives where we can.

The School is not liable for changes to published information or for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside our control (including a lack of demand, industrial action, fire, flooding or other damage to premises).

Places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements so we cannot therefore guarantee you a place.

Changes to programmes and courses may be made after you’ve accepted your offer of a place – normally due to global developments in the discipline or student feedback. We may also make changes to course content, teaching formats or assessment methods but these are always made to improve the learning experience.

For full details about the availability or content of courses and programmes, please take a look at the School’s Calendar, or contact the relevant academic department.

Some major changes to programmes/courses are posted on our updated graduate course and programme information page.

Why study with us

Discover more about our students and department.

Meet the department
Why LSE

Meet the department

The Department of Gender Studies is internationally renowned for research and teaching in the field. Ours is the largest department of its kind in Europe.

The department’s research, which is arranged into four main strands, explores the tenacity of gender power relations and gendered inequalities. Our 15-strong faculty team includes world-class academics and thought leaders.

As a department, we offer eight master's programmes and a stimulating PhD programme. Each year, our programmes attract 150 students, from many different academic backgrounds and countries. Teaching covers a wide range of themes, from established gender theories to emerging topics and current debates.

We have a vibrant research culture, with resident research fellows, visiting scholars, public lectures and conferences and regular research seminars.

The department provides a focus for gender research at LSE as well as promoting collaboration between policymakers, practitioners and academics. We work closely with other departments, centres and institutes at LSE and foster strong links with institutions around the globe.

Department of Gender Studies

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 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.

93

Applications

22

Intake

4:1

2023 Ratio

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.

Home
Overseas

Home

£18,300

Home student fee (2025/26)

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

Fee reduction

Students who completed undergraduate study at LSE and are beginning taught graduate study at the School are eligible for a fee reduction of around 10 per cent of the fee.

Scholarships and other funding

We recognise that the cost of living in London may be higher than in your home town/city or country and we provide generous scholarships to help both home and overseas students.

We offer some needs-based awards for this programme, including the Graduate Support Scheme, Master's Awards, and Anniversary Scholarships. Competition for these awards and scholarships is strong. To apply for an award, you must have an offer of a place and submit a Graduate Financial Support application before the funding deadline.

The funding deadline for needs-based awards from LSE: 24 April 2025.

In addition to our needs-based awards, we offer scholarships for students from specific regions of the world and awards for certain subjects.

You can’t apply for a Graduate Support Scheme or LSE scholarship once you’ve joined the School.

Please note: we do expect students who register for a programme to have sufficient funds for the duration.

Government tuition fee loans and external funding

The UK Government offers a postgraduate loan for eligible students studying for a first master’s programme. This is designed to help with fees and living costs. Some other governments and organisations also offer tuition fee loan schemes.

Find out more about tuition fee loans.

Further information

Learn more about fees and funding opportunities.

Learning and assessment

How you learn
How you're assessed

How you learn

Within your programme you'll take a number of courses, often including half unit courses and full unit courses. In half unit courses, on average, you can expect 20-30 contact hours in total and for full unit courses, on average, you can expect 40-60 contact hours in total. Hours vary according to courses and you can view indicative details in the Calendar within the Teaching section of each course guide.

We expect full-time MSc students to spend at least 40 hours a week on their studies. This combines your face-to-face teaching time in lectures and seminars, as well as reading time, meeting with academics during office hours and general preparation for classes. The amount of time actually spent in class will vary depending on which courses you take (some courses have longer lectures/seminars than others), but you should expect to spend between 5-10 hours a week in class in the first two terms. In the third term, you'll be busy preparing for exams and dissertation, so it'd be a mistake to expect the work to slow down once teaching has finished for the year.

You're also expected to complete independent study outside of class time. This varies depending on the programme, but requires you to manage the majority of your study time yourself, by engaging in activities such as reading, note-taking, thinking and research.

Each course generally comprises a series of lectures. As graduate students, an important part of your learning will be done through reading the course literature and discussing the issues in and outside seminars. You should understand that you will be expected in your own written work to go considerably beyond the content and approach of lectures in your subjects. Lectures are intended to fulfil various functions, but they aren't a substitute for independent reading and thought. Lectures are intended to provide you with an overview of a particular subject area and its related concepts and issues, and to introduce the most important relevant academic literature. This can mean that lectures will often not be able to achieve the depth of coverage that you will find in the relevant literature.

Lectures also provide you with exposure to the individual styles and approaches of different teachers at LSE. LSE is internationally recognised for its teaching and research and therefore employs a rich variety of teaching staff with a range of experience and status. Courses may be taught by individual members of faculty, such as assistant professors, associate professors and professors and we are lucky enough to have LSE Fellows as part of our teaching team. You can view indicative details for the teacher responsible for each course in the relevant course course guide.

The programme will incorporate interactive teaching in lectures and active student participation-led seminars. A range of media will be introduced (including films and photojournalism), as well as a variety of seminar activities from small group work, debates, presentations and café style workshops.

Course teaching – lectures and seminars – will be held in the first two terms (Autumn and Winter Terms). The third term (Spring Term) is dedicated to preparing to write your dissertation.

You'll be assigned an academic mentor who will be available for guidance and advice on personal or academic concerns. The academic mentor will be your most important academic link with the Institute and the School. The academic mentor will have set office hours and usually additional times during the first few weeks and will be happy to offer advice on courses, MSc regulations and on administrative matters generally, eg, on the prospects of proceeding to higher degrees such as MPhil/PhD.

Your academic mentor won't necessarily be your dissertation supervisor. Dissertation supervisors will be allocated once topics have been agreed in the second term.

Other academic support: at LSE, we offer many opportunities to extend your learning outside the classroom.

LSE LIFE is a great place to get advice and practise the skills you’ll need during your studies and beyond.

Through LSE LIFE, you can:

attend workshops on developing leadership skills, finding the right study/work/life balance and preparing for the world of work
develop your reading, academic writing and critical-thinking skills
gain experience of working in study groups and develop your cross-cultural communication and teamwork skills.

Disability and Mental Health Service: we want all LSE students to achieve their full potential. Students can access free, confidential advice through our Disability and Mental Health Service. This is the first point of contact for students.

Graduate destinations

Overview
Career support

Overview

We expect the degree to assist our students with careers in conflict and post-conflict settings; in humanitarian assistance; UN field offices; peace governance roles; and into further study.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

Health and Social Care

Government, Public Sector and Policy

Education, Teaching and Research

Information, Digital Technology and Data

NGOs and Charities

This data is drawn from the 2021/22 Graduate Outcomes Survey, run by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and in full-time employment.

Find out more

Explore LSE

MSc Gender, Peace and Security

Overview

Introduction

Preliminary readings

Entry requirements

Overseas

Programme content

Year 1

Courses to the value of between half a unit (minimum) and one unit (maximum) from the following:

Programme regulations at LSE

Why study with us

Meet the department

Why LSE

University of the Year 2025 and 1st in the UK

1st in London for the 13th year running

6th In the world

Carbon Neutral In 2021, LSE became the first Carbon Neutral verified university in the UK

Your application

Overview

When to apply

Fees and funding

Home

Overseas

Fee status

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

Learning and assessment

How you learn

Contact hours and independent study

Teaching methods

Academic support

How you're assessed

Graduate destinations

Overview

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

Career support

Find out more

Explore LSE