If you’re reading this blog, it’s probably because you’re looking into LSE as a choice for a master’s degree. I was in your shoes a year ago, stressing over deadlines and tasks. Now, with a full term’s worth of experience as an MSc International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies (IDHE) student under my belt, I can confidently say I made the right decision. Below are some tips to make the process smoother for you, including some specific advice on applying to the IDHE programme. 

1. Before you apply: take the time to look at programmes and departments

With over 140 different master’s programmes to choose from, taking the time to explore each individual department and programme that interests you is crucial. Think about how the topic areas, course offerings, and general approach fit with your goals. I did this by using a spreadsheet to track programmes of interest, themes, and courses offered. This research will make a huge difference to finding the right path, and will also make your knowledge of the programme easier to demonstrate in personal statements. 

2. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!

Now you’ve (hopefully) chosen a programme that looks good to you, it’s crucial to try to get as realistic a picture of the programme as possible. Current students, staff in the department and alumni are all great resources – for example, students can provide useful information about daily life, workload, stress, and all the other pieces that make up the master’s experience at LSE. While working on my application, I wrote to the Department of International Development with my programme interests, and they put me in touch with a student who ended up being a valuable resource.

Tools like LinkedIn can also allow you to search individuals by programme or institution specifically. Most people are more than happy to talk about their programme in an honest way, which can help you make an informed decision. 

3. Be organised! 

Keeping track of deadlines is crucial to success in any application. Be especially mindful of tasks that require outside resources, such as letters of recommendation, academic achievements, tests for English equivalency, and anything else your programme may require from you in the application. Most programmes will have multiple or rolling deadlines, but financial aid deadlines may be more fixed. Whether you use a virtual or physical planner, tracking deadlines and individual tasks will help enormously in alleviating stress. 

4. CV and work experience

For the MSc IDHE, we had to submit a CV alongside our application. While you will also be touching on aspects of your work experience in your personal statement, making sure your CV is well formatted, up to date, and fits your professional interests will help you to stand out. Be specific about your responsibilities, list references clearly, and highlight relevant skills. Even if your work experience isn’t related to your programme, presenting a well organised CV shows professionalism and technical skills that can set you apart from other applicants. 

5. Don’t be scared of the personal statement

For most people, the personal statement is the most stressful part of a master’s application, but it’s also potentially the most fun and creative aspect. Here is where you get to show your drive, passion, skillset, and questions you want to answer through this course of study. Make sure to address all aspects of the question in your response, but emphasise what’s most relevant. For instance, if you have direct work experience, highlight concrete examples showing your skills and interest. If not, highlight your personal interest alongside relevant technical and soft skills, then connect to your programme of choice. 

I’d also recommend looking at the specific skills or courses on your programme’s homepage and including them where you can. For my application, I highlighted how the required humanitarian consultancy course would be crucial for developing skills and connections in the professional sphere. Using information like this shows attention to detail, and that you’ve really done your research on the programme. 

Some final thoughts

Whether you’re coming from near or far – straight out of undergraduate study or with tons of work experience under your belt, getting a master’s degree can be a huge asset. Regardless of your motivation for applying, I hope these tips help you feel confident in presenting the best version of yourself in your application. Best of luck!