MA in Governance Studies
Course Overview
The MA in Governance Studies is a UK Level 7 research-informed Master's degree running one year full-time or two years part-time, with online and distance-learning routes. The programme focuses on public governance, institutional design and accountability across UK and comparative contexts, from Whitehall reform through devolved administration and local government to regulatory bodies. The syllabus is aligned with themes referenced by the Political Studies Association, the Institute for Government and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.
By graduation you will have produced institutional analyses, drafted governance reform proposals, mapped accountability frameworks across UK public bodies, and completed a dissertation, capstone or sponsor consulting project for a public body or think tank.
Key Features
- Level 7 credential aligned with Political Studies Association and IfG themes.
- Applied training in institutional analysis and design.
- Case-room seminars using live UK governance and reform documents.
- Guest sessions from Institute for Government-adjacent researchers.
- Named programme-tutor support across all three study modes.
- Dissertation supervised by an LSLPE tutor with active governance profile.
- Careers-service introductions to Whitehall, devolved administrations and think tanks.
What You Will Learn
- Institutional design theory in comparative context.
- Whitehall structure and civil service reform history.
- Devolution settlements and multi-level governance.
- Regulatory governance and the UK independent regulators.
- Accountability frameworks including select committees and audit.
- Reading IfG, Public Administration Committee and CIPFA outputs.
- Drafting reform proposals and governance briefings.
- Producing an evidence-led dissertation for a governance audience.
Who This Course Is For
- Whitehall and devolved administration staff formalising Level 7 credentials.
- Local government officers targeting senior roles.
- Bachelor's graduates in politics, public policy or public administration.
- Think tank researchers on governance and reform files.
- International applicants planning national governance careers.
Career Pathways
- Policy Adviser on governance reform files.
- Public Sector Consultant advising government clients.
- Government Affairs Manager in a corporate or NGO setting.
- Think Tank Researcher at an IfG or PSA-adjacent institute.
- Programme Manager on cross-cutting governance initiatives.
- Strategy Adviser to a public body.
- Public Leadership Fellow on a graduate scheme.
The LSLPE careers service coordinates introductions with Whitehall, think tanks and public bodies and runs at least one careers day each academic year.
Entry Requirements
- A UK Bachelor's degree (2:2 or above) or equivalent in politics, public policy, public administration or a related discipline.
- IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
- Applicants without a Bachelor's but with 5+ years of senior public sector experience are considered on portfolio.
- One academic and one professional reference.
- A 500-word research proposal or professional practice statement.
Why Study at LSLPE
The London School of Law, Politics and Economics teaches in small, tutor-visible cohorts and reads law, politics and economics as three interlocking disciplines. Central London gives MA students access to Whitehall, Parliament, the Institute for Government and the LSE-adjacent think tank ecosystem within a short tube ride of every classroom.
Every intake shares the same weekly seminar structure, and the careers service refreshes curriculum alignment annually against Political Studies Association guidance.
Apply for MA in Governance Studies
Applications for the MA in Governance Studies are reviewed on a rolling basis. Enrol on an LSLPE Master's programme, dissertation, capstone or sponsor project supervised by practising policy advisers. Enrol Now.
