Programme structure

MRes/PhD in Political Science

First year

Students complete and are examined in courses to the value of four full units.

Research Design

GV5X1 - Research Design in Political Science

Methods courses

Students take courses under A, B or C to the value of one unit:

A) Quantitative research topics

• MY552M or MY552L Applied Regression Analysis (H)
• MY557 - Causal Inference for Observational and Experimental Studies (H) or
• GV4G1 - Applied Quantitative Methods for Political Science (H) 
• GV4J6 -  Game Theory for Research (H) 

B) Qualitative research topics

• GV513 - Qualitative Methods in the Study of Politics (H) (n/a 15/16)
• MY551M or MY551L - Introduction to Quantitative Analysis (H)

C) Political theory research topics

• GV504 - Research Methods in Political Theory

If these courses have already been taken, other methods courses may be substituted with the approval of the Doctoral Programme Director.

Field seminars

Courses to the value of 1 unit from the following:

• GV517 - Comparative Political Economy: New Approaches and Issues in CPE (H)
• GV5X2 - Research Paper in Comparative Politics (half or full unit)
• GV5X3 - Research Paper European Politics and Policy (half or full unit)
• GV5X4 - Research Paper in Global Politics (half or full unit)
• GV5X5 - Research Paper Political Science and Political Economy (half or full unit)
• GV5X6 - Research Paper Political Theory (half or full unit)
• GV5X7 - Research Paper Public Policy and Administration (half or full unit)

Any course from 2, above, not already taken, or any research methods course taught anywhere in the School, with the approval of the Course Convenor and the Doctoral Programme Director.

Research Prospectus

• GV599 - Research Prospectus in Political Science

Second, third, fourth and fifth year

A) Research and write a dissertation

B) Participate in at least one Doctoral Workshop in the Government Department or elsewhere in the School in each year. e.g. GV501 Doctoral Workshop: Political Theory; GV503 Political Philosophy Research Seminar, GV510 Ethnicity and Nationalism Research Workshop (n/a 16/17), GV514 Political Science and Political Economy Doctoral Workshop, GV515 Researching People, Politics and Organisations (n/a 16/17), GV555 Political Economy and Public Policy Workshop.

C) Second year students have the option of taking EC540 Political Economy. Permission to attend is at the discretion of the course convenor.

Award of the MRes

The award and classification of the MRes is consistent with the School's Scheme for the Award of a four-unit Taught Masters Degree

Conditions for progression to PhD

1. Award of the MRes with at least a Merit
2. Award of GV599 with at least a Merit

Award of the PhD

The PhD is awarded according the rules of the LSE.