Study in the Department of Methodology

MSc and PhD programmes in Methodology

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Virtual Graduate Open Events: 17 - 20 November 2025

Get to know the MSc and PhD programmes we offer and hear about life in the Department of Methodology through one of our Virtual Graduate Open Events!

Programmes

The Department of Methodology runs two master's programmes and two Doctoral programmes:

The department also runs a Visiting Research Student in Social Research Methods scheme.

Our students join the Department of Methodology from all over the world and at varying stages in their careers. The department provides an extensive range of courses attracting students from a variety of other LSE departments.

Auditing

Registered LSE students and staff may apply to audit certain courses in the Department of Methodology. Find out more on our Auditing page.

Visiting Research Student in Social Research Methods

This scheme allows research students at other universities to spend up to one academic session at the School. Registration as a visiting research student in the Department of Methodology is for research and doctoral students registered at overseas universities wishing to undertake some aspect of their research in the UK.

The application procedure is to apply for the MPhil/PhD, as detailed in the Graduate Prospectus, but to use the application code for visiting status - L3EH: Visiting Research Student in Methodology. You should provide, as part of your application, a written proposal of no more than 1500 words, which gives details of your proposed research question(s), the relevant literature and previous research in the field, planned research methods and theoretical/conceptual framework to be adopted. This will enable us to make an informed decision about your proposal and is equally important to establish if there are appropriate supervisors for your planned research.