MPhil/PhD Economics

In addition to progressing with their research, students are expected to take the listed training and transferable skills courses.  Students may take courses in addition to those listed, and should discuss this with their supervisor.

Students may be taking the MRes/PhD Economics (Track 1 or Track 2) and should refer to the regulations at: http://www.lse.ac.uk/resources/calendar/programmeRegulations/mResPhD/mResPhDinEconomics.htm

Year One
Training courses
Compulsory (examined)
EC502 Topics in Economic Analysis (now withdrawn)
One MSc level course from a wide range of options: this course may either fill a missing gap in training or support the proposed research area.

Transferable skills courses
Compulsory (not examined)
EC500 Seminar in Research Strategy (now withdrawn)

Presentation requirements
Students are required to make short presentations of their proposed research in the weekly Seminar in Research Strategy

Year Two
Transferable skills courses
Compulsory (not examined)
EC501 Work in Progress Seminar

Year Three
Transferable skills courses
Compulsory (not examined)
EC501 Work in Progress Seminar

Year Four
Transferable skills courses
Compulsory (not examined)
EC501 Work in Progress Seminar

Progression and upgrade requirements
Students are initially registered for an MPhil with retrospective transfer to PhD registration pending sufficient research progress. All first year students are reviewed by the Economics Department Graduate Committee in July. This review is based on the supervisor's report, seminar performance, and the two examination results. Part-time students may take one examination in the first year. Every student is expected to produce one substantial piece of written work in the first year.
At the end of the second year there is a review of completion prospects. Full-time students are expected to complete in three or four years. The minimum completion time is two years. For students who do not complete by the end of the third year there is an intensive review of completion prospects.

In the second and subsequent years all students attend their relevant Work in Progress Seminar where significant chapters of thesis are presented. Upgrading to PhD registration often follows successful presentations.

Many students are affiliated to one of the Economics Centres or Institutes such as The Financial Markets Research Centre, the Suntory-Toyota International Centres for Economics and Related Disciplines and the Centre for Economic Performance. Most students do some undergraduate class teaching, either as teaching assistants or as part-time teachers. The Programme is affiliated with the European Doctoral Programme, which allows students to study at more than one institution and offers flexibility, subject to individual requirements, as to the final institution awarding the degree.

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