A 2:1 in four named disciplines or similar
The entry requirement is an upper second class honours degree or equivalent in politics, economics, history, international relations or a similar discipline. The English language requirement is Higher.
Master's · LSE International Relations
LSE MSc International Political Economy: markets, politics and a Research variant
LSE's MSc International Political Economy is a 12-month full-time course for 2027/28, or 24 months part-time for Home students, in the Department of International Relations. Its page asks for a 2:1 in politics, economics, history, international relations or a similar discipline, and the English language requirement is Higher. A 10,000-word dissertation is compulsory, admissions are rolling, and the page points to a Research variant with a compulsory methodology course.
2027-28 entry · Official information
What LSE asks for in LSE MSc International Political Economy
Taken from the LSE graduate programme page for the MSc International Political Economy (application code M1UW, academic year 2027/28) and read on 3 November 2026. The page describes 2027-28 entry; confirm every date and rule on the page before you rely on it.
Markets and politics, with international finance at the core
The study of IPE is the study of interactions between markets and politics. The core of IPE is international money and international finance, with a particular focus on the 2008 financial crisis.
A 10,000-word dissertation
Students take the compulsory International Political Economy course, complete a 10,000-word dissertation and choose options to the value of two and a half units.
A Research variant exists
The MSc International Political Economy (Research) has the same core course but entails a compulsory methodology course.
No fixed deadline
Applications are considered on a rolling basis and close once the programme is full. To be considered for funding, applicants must submit by the funding deadline. The start date is 27 September 2027.
Four items assessed
Academic achievement, a statement of academic purpose, two academic references and a CV.
Official sources
Read on 3 November 2026 on the LSE graduate programme page for the MSc International Political Economy (application code M1UW, academic year 2027/28), which describes 2027-28 entry. The country-specific entry table, the English language requirements page, the supporting-documents page, the option lists, the funding deadlines and the fees were not read and are not stated.
Fit
Which backgrounds fit
The page names four disciplines. The readings below mix LSE's wording with Avandy's judgment, and the labels say which is which.
A politics, economics, history or IR graduate
Named disciplines. The course connects market and policy interactions, trade and investment, and the environment, including what impedes agreement on climate change.
An economics graduate
Economics is named, but the course is political economy, with a core on international money and finance and a focus on interactions between markets and politics. Check that this rather than a pure economics master's matches your goal.
A graduate from another discipline
The page says a similar discipline. Show the politics or economics content of your degree.
Decision
General IPE or the Research variant
The page offers two related programmes with the same core course.
This programme
The compulsory International Political Economy course, a 10,000-word dissertation and options to the value of two and a half units.
The Research variant
The same core course with a compulsory methodology course. The page offers it as an alternative.
Avandy's judgment (heuristic, not a university rule)
If you expect to progress to a research degree, compare the compulsory methodology content of the Research variant before choosing, since the page's application statistics combine both programmes.
Application
Rolling admissions
The page lists the items considered and the rolling process.
Items assessed
Academic achievement including predicted and achieved grades, a statement of academic purpose, two academic references and a CV.
Rolling process
There is no fixed deadline and applications close once the programme is full. Funding consideration requires submission by the funding deadline, which this guide does not state.
Avandy's judgment (heuristic, not a university rule)
Use the statement to name a specific IPE question, such as finance, trade or climate, rather than describing a general interest in global affairs.
Planning
Planning for 2027/28 entry
The page describes the 2027/28 academic year, and the rules here belong to that year.
What to do now
Check your degree against the named disciplines, decide between this programme and the Research variant, prepare the statement and two references. Re-read the page before submitting, because LSE says programmes can change.
Support
Independent support with course choice and the written application
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with the London School of Economics and Political Science or any of its departments. Support sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the published requirements of each course. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
What degree does LSE MSc International Political Economy ask for?
A 2:1 or equivalent in politics, economics, history, international relations or a similar discipline.
Is there a deadline?
No fixed deadline. Applications are considered on a rolling basis and close once the programme is full.
How does it differ from the Research variant?
The Research variant has the same core course but a compulsory methodology course.
How long is the dissertation?
10,000 words.
Can I study part-time?
The page lists a 24-month part-time mode for Home students.
Students and families
Talk to us about the LSE MSc International Political Economy
Tell us about your degree, your grades, your relevant experience and the master's courses you are weighing. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare the application.