European History, Politics, and Society (MA/MSc with London School of Economics)

Program Category: Dual Degree Program
Website: ma.europe.columbia.edu/dual-degree
Email Address: [email protected]
Program Director: Adam Tooze (Columbia), Jonathan White (LSE)
Faculty Advisor: Tsveta Petrova (Columbia), Denisa Kostovicova (LSE) 
Degree Programs: Full-Time

Columbia University and the London School of Economics and Politics launched in 2023 a new dual degree program leading to the awards of the MA in European History, Politics, and Society from Columbia and the MSc in Culture and Conflict in a Global Europe from LSE.

The program can be completed in two years. Students spend the first year at Columbia University in New York and the second year at the LSE in London.

The dual-degree program is designed for students considering careers in the non-profit and corporate sectors as well as in government or in international and European institutions.

The dual-degree program invites students to engage with Europe's historical and current developments in a multi- and inter-disciplinary manner. Students are introduced to some of the long-standing debates over the origin and dynamics of contemporary European politics, economies, societies, and cultures. They also explore how culture structures conflicts across political, economic, and social domains and frames their resolution.

Note: The program requires two years of full-time study, which must be taken in sequence. Students cannot complete one year of the program and receive only one degree. Degrees are awarded after all program requirements at Columbia University and the London School of Economics have been met.

Special Admissions Requirements

In addition to the requirements listed below, all students must submit transcripts showing courses and grades per school attended, a statement of academic purpose, a personal statement, and three letters of recommendation.

The statement of academic purpose should discuss the student’s academic and professional aspirations and reasons for wishing to undertake the degree. It should be about 1 to 2 pages long. It should describe the student’s academic and/or professional background (relevant coursework, professional experience, or other activity pertaining to the student’s academic interests), indicate the student’s plans for graduate study at Columbia and at LSE, and explain clearly the relation of these plans to the student’s professional plans after completing the dual degree program.

The writing sample should demonstrate the student’s research experience and potential. It should be about 10 to 15 pages long, preferably a paper written for a course pertaining to the general field of European studies. Alternatively, students may provide a focused essay written in an academic style and examining an article, book, exhibit, or event relevant to the student’s research interests.

Three references are required for all applicants; at least two letters must come from academic recommenders. For students who have not been enrolled in an academic program in recent years, the third letter may be a professional reference.

All international students whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate degree is from an institution in a country whose official language is not English must submit scores of the TOEFL or IELTS exams. For more information, refer to the Information for International Students page.

*GSAS will accept up to four recommendations, regardless of the number required by your program of interest. However, to be eligible for admission at GSAS, at least TWO letters must be submitted by academic recommenders.

Applicants who wish to be considered for funding are strongly encouraged to apply by the early deadline date, January 25, 2024. Applications will be considered until May 3, 2024, on a space-available basis.