MPhil/PhD in Gender Studies

For details of the application process and to submit your application online visit the graduate study pages.

The final deadline for the application including all supporting documentation, such as references and transcripts, is 10 December 2025.

Read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on applying for a PhD in the department for further guidance.

For 2025/2026 entry to the PhD programme, the department particularly welcomes applications from candidates seeking to work in the following areas of interdisciplinary Gender Studies:

• Feminist methodologies in the social sciences (including economics, development studies, population studies, sociology, and social policy)
• Gender, labour and care
• Gender and affect and/or psychoanalytic approaches (to gender, sexuality, culture and politics)
• Gender and culture (including film, media, digital and popular culture, narrative/literature, and/or the arts)
• Gender and Imperialism
• Transnational, decolonial and postcolonial politics of human rights and justice across the globe
• Gender and sexual politics of peace, security and global governance
• Transnational sexual cultures, politics, and democracy

The department anticipates proposals attending to questions of complex inequality and particularly welcomes approaches investigating overlaps across or intersections among forms of power.

We are also pleased to offer a fully-funded Collaborative Studentship with the Women's Budget Group. See full details and find out how to apply here.

All students have a main supervisor and an advisor (or joint supervision). The supervisor is the main point of contact for the student during their studies, with whom they meet regularly. In addition to the First Year Upgrade process, students have formal reviews in the second and third years. Though some students will be supervised entirely from within LSE Gender, we occasionally draw on the research specialisms of staff in other parts of the LSE, so the supervisor may be a member of the Department of Gender Studies or of another LSE Department. In all cases, students will be drawn into the research community of the Department, joining with the other research students in the first year taught courses, working together with second and third year students in the PhD research seminar GI500, and participating in our regular seminar series.

Courses taken

Students audit the lectures of two core courses in their first year:

• GI424 Gender Theories: an interdisciplinary approach, which provides a critical understanding of the field, and provides the basis for the development of appropriate interdisciplinary theoretical frameworks.
• GI402 Gender: Knowledge and Research Practice, which provides training in research design with a particular focus on research ethics.

Students also take GI500, the Doctoral Workshop, a fortnightly research seminar run by the Doctoral Programme Director (DPD) with input from faculty members throughout their studies in years 1-3. The workshop is based on student work in progress, and builds professional skills through the integration of ‘paper respondents’. Spring Term workshops are focused on professional training such as writing job applications, CVs, publication and conference guidance and marking training.

Students choose from the full range of Gender courses to audit in discussion with their supervisory team to enhance their own methods bundle. Where appropriate to their topic, students choose courses in the Department of Methodology such as 'Foundations in Social Research', 'Advanced social Research Methods' and 'Drafting a PhD', which provide a range of key skills necessary to writing a PhD.

Students who are supervised by staff outside LSE Gender may discover that the procedure and requirements for upgrade vary slightly between departments. Please note that as a student of LSE Gender, you will come within our regulations, even if your main supervisor is based elsewhere. Having successfully upgraded from MPhil to PhD, you will then be reviewed annually to ensure that your work is progressing satisfactory.

Completion

Students are normally expected to complete their PhD thesis within three or four of registration (maximum four years). Part-time students must complete by their eighth year of registration - a deadline which also applies to students who have studied a mixture of full and part time.

Requirements for a PhD

LSE PhDs are examined under LSE regulations. These regulations specify the criteria for a PhD.

You will be guided by your supervisor to ensure that your work is compatible with the criteria for a PhD. It is still useful however to read these regulations as you embark on your PhD and subsequently from time to time to ensure your work remains on track.

The DPD has final responsibility for the MPhil/PhD programme. This means they are responsible for admissions, the allocation of supervisors, overseeing the upgrade from MPhil to PhD, monitoring ongoing progress, and arranging the final submission. They also arbitrate in cases of difficulties with supervisors, or problems with general training.

The Department of Gender Studies was established in 1993 as a multi-disciplinary research centre. The Department serves as a focus for gender research across LSE, and works to promote a close relationship between policy makers and the academy. The Department provides a vibrant research culture with resident Research Fellows, visiting scholars, public lectures and conferences, and a regular programme of research seminars. Our thriving research community very much includes our doctoral students.

Our key research areas are:

• Cultural production, practices and representation
• Care, labour and political economy
• Social movements, rights and justice
• Security, conflict and peace
• Theory, methodology and ethics

For more information about faculty research, please see our dedicated .

LSE PhD Academy is a dedicated space and services hub for doctoral candidates studying at LSE. Visit the PhD Academy webpages.

We’re here to help and support you throughout your time at LSE, whether you need help with your academic studies, support with your welfare and wellbeing or simply to develop on a personal and professional level.

Whatever your query, big or small, there are a range of people you can speak to who will be happy to help.

Department librarians – they will be able to help you navigate the library and maximise its resources during your studies.

Accommodation service – they can offer advice on living in halls and offer guidance on private accommodation related queries.

Class teachers and seminar leaders – they will be able to assist with queries relating to specific courses.

Disability and Wellbeing Service – they are experts in long-term health conditions, sensory impairments, mental health and specific learning difficulties. They offer confidential and free services such as student counselling, a peer support scheme and arranging exam adjustments. They run groups and workshops.

IT help – support is available 24 hours a day to assist with all your technology queries.

LSE Faith Centre – this is home to LSE's diverse religious activities and transformational interfaith leadership programmes, as well as a space for worship, prayer and quiet reflection. It includes Islamic prayer rooms and a main space for worship. It is also a space for wellbeing classes on campus and is open to all students and staff from all faiths and none.

Language Centre – the Centre specialises in offering language courses targeted to the needs of students and practitioners in the social sciences. We offer pre-course English for Academic Purposes programmes; English language support during your studies; modern language courses in nine languages; proofreading, translation and document authentication; and language learning community activities.

LSE Careers ­– with the help of LSE Careers, you can make the most of the opportunities that London has to offer. Whatever your career plans, LSE Careers will work with you, connecting you to opportunities and experiences from internships and volunteering to networking events and employer and alumni insights.

LSE Library – founded in 1896, the British Library of Political and Economic Science is the major international library of the social sciences. It stays open late, has lots of excellent resources and is a great place to study. As an LSE student, you’ll have access to a number of other academic libraries in Greater London and nationwide.

LSE LIFE – this is where you should go to develop skills you’ll use as a student and beyond. The centre runs talks and workshops on skills you’ll find useful in the classroom; offers one-to-one sessions with study advisers who can help you with reading, making notes, writing, research and exam revision; and provides drop-in sessions for academic and personal support. (See ‘Teaching and assessment’).

LSE Students’ Union (LSESU) – they offer academic, personal and financial advice and funding.

PhD Academy – this is available for PhD students, wherever they are, to take part in interdisciplinary events and other professional development activities and access all the services related to their registration.

Sardinia House Dental Practice – this offers discounted private dental services to LSE students.

St Philips Medical Centre – based in Pethwick-Lawrence House, the Centre provides NHS Primary Care services to registered patients.

Student Services Centre – our staff here can answer general queries and can point you in the direction of other LSE services.