Research degree programmes

 
At the end of the first year, students undertake a Major Review of their proposed research. On passing, students are upgraded to PhD status.This is a significant step and the Department needs to be sure that students have a feasible research topic, research question(s) and methods. Students prepare a 10,000 word document which forms the basis for a discussion with a panel consisting of two senior members of the Department. If successful, students are transferred to the PhD programme with backdated registration. See handbook.

In subsequent years, students continue their research under the guidance of their supervisors and are encouraged to present their work from time to time, by giving seminar presentations and conference papers.

Each year students are asked to write a report on their progress for the Department. In their 3rd year, students are required to undertake a Third Year Progress Review. Continued registration depends on satisfactory progress. 
See Regulations for Research Students, paragraph 19-21 and handbook.

The thesis for the PhD degree must not exceed 100,000 words. The programme normally lasts for three or four years of full-time study or equivalent part-time study and the thesis must be submitted within four years. A three-plus paper format is acceptable for topics that fall within economics, demography or cognate disciplines. See Regulations for Research Students, paragraph 29-34.

Visiting Research Student programme

The Visiting Research Student programme is for those who do not wish to proceed to a higher degree, but want to pursue their own research with a supervisor who can support them in this research. Visiting research students can also be research and doctoral students registered at overseas universities wishing to undertake some aspect of their research in the UK. Certain seminars and classes can be attended subject to the advice and approval of the supervisor and teachers concerned.

Please refer to the Visiting Research Students web page for further information.

Minimum  requirements

The Department welcomes applications from students who have, or expect to obtain, a good Master's degree, together with an upper second or first class honours Bachelor's degree from a UK university or its equivalent abroad. Applicants will normally need Master's degree marks equivalent to an LSE high merit grade, with an overall average of 65% in their MSc (or equivalent) and 65% in their dissertation (or equivalent); any conditional offer for a place on the MPhil/PhD programme will be subject to obtaining such marks.

Part-time registration is available to students who need to spread their studies over a longer period because of outside commitments, and can provide documentary evidence of their need. See Regulations for Research Students, paragraph 5.
This possibility is not normally open to students on  a Tier 4 visa.

Research Degree Programmes Administrator (Maternity cover):
Aifsha Butt:  a.butt5@lse.ac.uk

Doctoral Programme Director:
Professor Anne West: a.west@lse.ac.uk

Please refer to the Graduate Prospectus for full information on programmes, courses and entry requirements. For information on fees please refer to the Table of Fees. Please note that fees are paid each year (academic session) for which you are registered, and normally rise each year. They do not stay the same as the year in which you started.

 
Research Degree Programmes Administrator (Maternity cover):
Aifsha Butt:  a.butt5@lse.ac.uk  

Doctoral Programme Director:
Professor Anne West: a.west@lse.ac.uk

 For MPhil/PhD and Visiting Research Student programmes

Applications should include a written proposal of up to 4,000 words which gives details of the particular issue/problem to be addressed; relevant literature and previous research in the field; the theoretical/conceptual framework to be adopted; the proposed research question(s); and the planned research methods to answer the research question(s).  This will enable the Department to make an informed decision about the proposal and, equally important, to establish if there are appropriate supervisors available to supervise the planned research. Two supervisors are normally identified at this stage.

You will also be required to provide a sample of written work, a personal statement and two academic references with your application. Full information on how to apply is provided at: How to Apply.

The Department normally interviews shortlisted applicants before any offer of a place is made.

Applications are normally only considered for a Michaelmas Term start, i.e. to start at the beginning of the academic year in September.

Research Degree Programmes Administrator (Maternity cover):
Aifsha Butt: a.butt5@lse.ac.uk  

Doctoral Programme Director:
Professor Anne West: a.west@lse.ac.uk

ESRC Studentships (1+3 and +3) for UK and EU students

1 + 3 scheme

The 1+3 scheme provides funding for a one year research training Masters linked to a three year PhD and is designed for students who have not already completed an ESRC-recognised programme of research training at MSc level.

LSE has been awarded ESRC Doctoral Training Centre status and offers a total of 36 ESRC studentships a year spread across disciplines. The following MSc programmes are eligible for funding within the Department of Social Policy for the 1+ element of the programme:

-    MSc Social Research Methods (Population)

Transfer from the one-year MSc programme to the three-year MPhil/PhD programme is dependent on obtaining high marks in the Master's degree.

+ 3 scheme

The + 3 scheme provides three years funding for the MPhil/PhD programme for students who have already achieved an ESRC-recognised 'research training' MSc or have undertaken equivalent research training.

Applications for the ESRC 1+3 programme:

If you wish to be considered for a 1+3 programme, you must include an outline research proposal with your application for the relevant MSc.  The research proposal should normally be up to 4,000 words for Social Policy and up to 1,500 words for Demography. See also Applications section above.

-   1+3 candidates for the MPhil/PhD Social Policy programme should apply for the   MSc in Social Policy (Research)

-   1+3 candidates for the MPhil/PhD Demography/Population Studies programme should apply for the MSc Social Research Methods (Population)

 
Applications for the ESRC +3 programme:

If you wish to be considered for an ESRC +3 award, you should submit an application for the programme as above with information on your ESRC recognised 'research training' MSc. If you do not have the ESRC-recognised research training, you will need to include information on the training that you have already undertaken with a statement making the case of its equivalence in particular with regard to research methods training.

Applicants wishing to be considered for ESRC funding should ensure they have submitted a complete application for admission, including transcripts and references, by 09 January 2017. 

Please note that the selection process for LSE PhD and Research Council Studentships will take place in two rounds, and all students are advised to aim for the first round if possible. The deadlines for applications to be considered for funding are 09 January  and 26 April 2017. Students will not be considered for funding unless they have been offered a place on the MPhil/PhD programme (this requires all documentation to have been provided and the application to have been considered by the Department).

There is no separate application form for these awards.

 Other funding:

 
LSE's Financial Support Office administers a variety of studentships and award schemes for which different deadlines apply:

-  LSE Studentships
-  Leverhulme Scholarships

Research Degree Programmes Administrator (Maternity cover):
Aifsha Butt: a.butt5@lse.ac.uk   

Doctoral Programme Director:
Professor Anne West: a.west@lse.ac.uk

Doctoral Programme Director:
Professor Anne West: a.west@lse.ac.uk