MSc International Social and Public Policy (Migration)

12 Months On Campus Masters Program

London School of Economics and Political Science

Program Overview

The MSc International Social and Public Policy (Migration) at the London School of Economics and Political Science is designed for students who want to understand how migration shapes societies and how governments respond through policy. It is ideal for those interested in global inequalities, social justice, and evidence-based policymaking, combining strong theoretical foundations with practical research training focused on real-world migration challenges.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
This is an intensive one-year programme that builds both conceptual depth and practical research skills. You will begin with core courses such as International Social and Public Policy, which examines how social policies operate across different national and global contexts, and Understanding Policy Research, where you develop the methodological tools needed to analyse and evaluate policy effectively. Alongside this, Migration: Current Research, Critical Approaches introduces you to contemporary debates and critical perspectives on migration governance, inequality, and transnational mobility.

You will also select optional courses that allow you to tailor your degree to your interests, with options that may include areas such as ethnicity and social policy, urban social policy, or education and social inequality. The programme culminates in a Dissertation in International Social and Public Policy, where you conduct independent research on a migration-related topic under academic supervision, demonstrating your ability to apply theory and research methods to a focused policy issue.

Focus Areas

Global migration governance, social policy analysis, inequality and social justice, comparative policy research, transnational mobility

Learning Outcomes

Advanced understanding of international social and public policy frameworks, ability to critically analyse migration policies across contexts, strong qualitative and quantitative research skills, capacity to design and evaluate evidence-based policy, independent research and academic writing expertise

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The programme is delivered by LSE’s Department of Social Policy, recognised as the top social policy department in the UK in the Good University Guide 2026 and ranked highest in the UK for research quality in the Research Excellence Framework 2021, reflecting strong academic credibility and policy relevance.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

LSE is ranked 6th globally for Social Sciences and Management in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, reinforcing its international reputation and the strong employability prospects of its graduates across governments, international organisations, NGOs, research institutions and the private sector.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

On the MSc International Social and Public Policy (Migration) at the London School of Economics and Political Science, your learning goes far beyond the classroom. From the beginning of the programme, you are engaging with real policy debates, current migration research, and live global challenges guided by academics whose work directly informs governments and international organisations. Through structured research training, dissertation supervision, and professional skills development sessions within the Department of Social Policy, you build practical analytical, writing and policy evaluation skills that employers genuinely value. LSE Careers also works closely with postgraduate students, offering tailored support to help you secure internships, part-time roles and policy-focused career opportunities while studying in London.

This hands-on learning environment is supported by specific opportunities and facilities designed to strengthen your professional profile:

Dedicated academic and professional skills development workshops within the Department of Social Policy, focused on research design, academic writing, and employability preparation
A supervised Dissertation in International Social and Public Policy, allowing you to conduct independent research on a migration-related issue using advanced research methods
Parliamentary internship opportunities through the Department of Social Policy, enabling selected students to work with Members of Parliament or peers in the House of Lords on real policy work
Student research initiatives and collaborative projects within the department, encouraging group-based academic engagement and presentation of findings
Access to LSE Careers, which provides sector-specific career events, policy employer networking sessions, CV and interview coaching, and internship guidance
The British Library of Political and Economic Science at LSE, one of the world’s largest social science libraries, offering extensive print and digital collections to support advanced migration and policy research
Access to interdisciplinary research centres and institutes across LSE, including initiatives focused on inequality and global development, which regularly host policy seminars and practitioner-led events

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the MSc International Social and Public Policy (Migration) at the London School of Economics and Political Science move into influential roles across government, international organisations and the non-profit sector. Many go on to become Policy Analysts in government departments, Advisers or Researchers within UN agencies and international organisations, Programme Officers in NGOs, or Consultants specialising in migration and social policy. The Department of Social Policy highlights that its graduates work in United Nations agencies, intergovernmental organisations, ministries, research institutes and global advocacy organisations — reflecting the real-world relevance of the degree.

This strong career trajectory is supported by LSE’s dedicated employability infrastructure and global reputation:

LSE Careers, offering personalised one-to-one guidance, sector-specific employer events, policy and NGO networking sessions, CV and interview workshops, and access to global job opportunities
Graduate outcomes data for related social policy and migration-focused programmes indicate median salaries of approximately £34,000–£35,000 around 15 months after graduation
Direct exposure to international policy networks through LSE’s location in London and its strong institutional links with governments, think tanks, NGOs and global agencies
Long-term reputational value from studying at a world-leading social sciences institution, with the Department of Social Policy ranked first in the UK and recognised for research excellence
Alumni presence across global organisations, reinforcing strong professional networks and international employability

Further Academic Progression:
If you are considering continuing your academic journey, this MSc provides a strong foundation for doctoral study. Graduates are well prepared to pursue a PhD in Social Policy, Migration Studies, Public Policy or related fields at LSE or other leading research universities, building directly on the advanced research training and dissertation experience gained during the programme.