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.
Discover more about our students and department.
The LSE School of Public Policy (SPP) is a global community united by a shared commitment to LSE’s founding mission: to understand the causes of things and work for the betterment of society.
Our master’s programmes combine academic rigour with real-world relevance, tailored to suit professionals at every stage of their career — from emerging leaders to seasoned executives.
SPP now welcomes a thriving community of more than 400 students who all share a passion for learning and developing new perspectives as they prepare to develop policies to transform societies around the world. As an SPP student, you’ll join a diverse and dynamic cohort, l earning from world-renowned faculty and distinguished guest speakers with experience in governments around the world.
SPP is at the heart of LSE – ranked the top university in London and fifth in the world for social science and management subjects (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026). 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 also offer a wide range of opportunities beyond the classroom for students to develop their professional skills and prepare for their future careers, these include:
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.
Search for a country 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 doesn't 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.