Program Overview

Introduction to the LSE-Sciences Po Double Degree in Urban Policy

The LSE-Sciences Po Double Degree in Urban Policy is a distinctive dual degree devoted to urban management and policy, combining the strengths of two leading international centres of research in city development and urban governance. This programme is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the political, economic, and social issues raised by contemporary urbanisation, at both local and international levels.

Key Information

• Study mode: Home full-time students (23 months) and Overseas full-time students (23 months) are both available.
• Programme availability: The programme is open for the academic year 2026/27, with a start date of August/September 2026 at Sciences Po, Paris (provisional).
• Location: The programme will be based in Paris and Houghton Street, London.
• Application deadline: The application deadline is 29 March 2026, and students must apply via Sciences Po.

Overview

The double degree lasts two academic years, with the first year spent at Sciences Po in the Master Stratégies Territoriales et Urbaines, and the second year spent at LSE, following one of two MSc programmes: Local Economic Development or Regional and Urban Planning Studies. This selective bilingual (French and English) programme will enable students to develop an understanding of the analytic tools used in the field of urban policy.

Entry Requirements

• Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in any discipline.
• Candidates must meet the entry requirements for both LSE and Sciences Po.
• English language requirements: The English language requirement for this programme is Standard.

Programme Content

• Year 1: At Sciences Po, the academic year runs from early October to the end of June, covering topics of urban sociology, economics, and politics, along with elective courses.
• Year 2: At LSE, the second year runs from October until September of the following year, comprising three terms plus a summer period for completion of a dissertation. Students will follow one of two alternative lines of specialisation: MSc Regional and Urban Planning Studies or MSc Local Economic Development.

Why Study with Us

• The Department of Geography and Environment at LSE is highly regarded both nationally and internationally, ranked second for Geography in the QS World University Rankings 2025.
• Many academics are internationally renowned in their fields, and the department offers a unique opportunity to study geography in a university with a worldwide reputation in the social sciences.

Your Application

• We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students and want to recruit students with the best academic merit, potential, and motivation, irrespective of background.
• Apply via the Sciences Po website.
• Data sharing: Double degrees and certain other degrees and scholarships require that LSE shares personal data with another university or partner.

Fees and Funding

• The table of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes.
• Home students: £20,300 (provisional) for Year 2 at LSE.
• Overseas students: £32,000 (provisional) for Year 2 at LSE.
• Fee status: At LSE, your tuition fees, and eligibility for any financial support, will depend on whether you’re classified as a home or overseas student.
• Scholarships, bursaries, and loans: We offer some needs-based awards for this programme, including the Graduate Support Scheme.

Learning and Assessment

• Contact hours and independent study: At LSE, you'll take a number of courses, often including half unit courses and full unit courses.
• Teaching methods: 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.
• Academic support: You'll meet with your academic mentor regularly to discuss your work, and you can access the Learning Lab for practical workshops and one-to-one sessions on essay writing, conducting research, and managing your reading lists, workloads, and deadlines.

Graduate Destinations

• This programme provides the opportunity to develop a career focused on local and urban policy in the private, public, or international sectors at the highest level.
• Graduates could be expected to go into positions in local/regional government, urban development, property and planning consultancies, community organisations, investment banks, regeneration agencies, central government urban affairs departments, and property development.
• Median salary of our graduate taught students 15 months after graduating: £36,000.
• Top 5 sectors our students work in: Government, Public Sector and Policy, Financial and Professional Services, Real Estate, Environment and Energy, NGOs and Charities, and Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities.

Related Programmes

• MSc Regional and Urban Planning Studies: Delve into the economics, geography, and politics of land-use planning, drawing on LSE’s strength in interdisciplinary teaching.
• MSc Human Geography and Urban Studies (Research): Gain an understanding in contemporary geography and develop an appreciation of the methodological implications of theoretical developments.
• MSc City Design and Social Science: Reimagine the city, learning how to tackle urban development from social, economic, and political perspectives.
• MSc Urbanisation and Development: Review urbanism from colonial to contemporary periods, understand urban problems, and critically evaluate prescribed solutions.
• MSc Local Economic Development: Deepen your understanding of local and regional economic development in this specialist programme, affiliated with the Institute for Economic Development (IED).