Program Overview

MSc Public Policy and Administration

The MSc Public Policy and Administration programme offers high-quality teaching by leading scholars in public administration, public management, public policy, and political science.

Introduction

The programme provides students with a comprehensive understanding of public policy and administration, including approaches and issues in the field. Students will take a compulsory course in Approaches and Issues in Public Policy and Administration and choose from a range of courses in public management and public policy, in addition to a methods course and a dissertation.

Entry Requirements

• Upper second-class honours degree (2:1) or equivalent in any discipline.
• English language requirements: Higher.

Programme Content

• Year 1:
  • Compulsory courses:
    • Approaches and Issues in Public Policy and Administration (GV4E9)
    • Dissertation (GV499)
  • Optional courses:
    • Comparative Public Policy Change (GV477)
    • Public Management Theory and Doctrine (GV483)
    • Policy Advice in Theory and Practice (GV4F4)
    • Applied Quantitative Methods for Public Policy and Political Science (GV4G1)
    • Introduction to Quantitative Analysis (MY451)
    • Applied Regression Analysis (MY452)

Why Study with Us

• The Department of Government is an internationally renowned centre for teaching and research on politics and government.
• Research focuses on six main areas:
  • Comparative politics
  • Conflict studies
  • Political behaviour and political psychology
  • Political economy and institutional analysis
  • Political theory
  • Public policy and public administration

Your Application

• We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students.
• Applications are considered on a rolling basis.
• There is no fixed deadline, but students must submit their application and supporting documents by the funding deadline to be considered for funding opportunities.

Fees and Funding

• Home student fee: £34,700 (2026/27)
• Overseas student fee: £34,700 (2026/27)
• 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 offer some needs-based awards for this programme, including the Graduate Support Scheme.

Learning and Assessment

• Contact hours and independent study: Students can expect 20-30 contact hours in total for half-unit courses and 40-60 contact hours in total for full-unit courses.
• Teaching methods: LSE employs a rich variety of teaching staff with a range of experience and status.
• Academic support: Students have access to academic mentors, the Learning Lab, and the Disability and Mental Health Service.

Graduate Destinations

• Graduates of this programme follow careers in a broad variety of fields, including education, public policy research, advice, and consultancy, as well as government and the media.
• 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
  • Education, Teaching, and Research
  • Consultancy
  • NGOs and Charities
  • Advertising, Marketing, PR, Media, Entertainment, Publishing, and Journalism

Related Programmes

• Master of Public Policy
• MSc International Social and Public Policy
• MSc International Social and Public Policy (Migration)
• MSc International Social and Public Policy (Education)
• MSc International Social and Public Policy (Development)
• MSc International Social and Public Policy (Research)
• MSc International Social and Public Policy (Non-Governmental Organisations)
• MSc Political Science (Political Science and Political Economy)
• MSc Philosophy and Public Policy
• Master of Public Administration
• MSc Development Management (Applied Development Economics)
• MSc Development Management (Political Economy)
• MSc International Relations
• MSc Political Science (Conflict Studies and Comparative Politics)
• MSc International Migration and Public Policy
• MSc Regulation

Key Information

• Study mode: Home full-time students (12 months), Home part-time students (24 months), Overseas full-time students (12 months)
• Academic year: 2026/27
• Start date: 28 September 2026
• Location: Houghton Street, London
• Application deadline: None – rolling admissions, but please note the funding deadlines.