MPhil/PhD Programmes

The MPhil/PhD programme in Social Policy aims to provide research students with the skills and competencies to undertake a substantial piece of work that is of publishable quality and which makes an original contribution to the broad field of Social Policy.

In the first year, students follow a compulsory seminar course (covering the MPhil/PhD process, ethics, risks, research skills, etc.). They must also present their work to fellow students and staff before upgrading to PhD status, which follows a formal assessment of their proposed doctoral research. Students may enrol in courses offered by the Methodology Department. There is also a seminar course for second and third-year students; the key element of this involves third-year PhD students presenting their work to fellow students and staff in advance of submitting their Third Year Review.

Throughout the programme, students meet regularly with their supervisor(s) to discuss and gain feedback on their work. At the end of the programme, the student submits a thesis; this must make a direct contribution to the knowledge of the subject and provide evidence of originality through the discovery of new facts and/or the exercise of independent critical thinking.

The Department can offer supervision in a variety of specialist areas, and, with its research centres and groups and over 60 current research students, provides a vibrant and exciting research community.

There is a diverse cohort of students carrying out social policy research on topics including disadvantage and inequalities, international development, criminal justice, family policies, education policies, and demography/population studies.

• Meet our current PhD students
• See our most recent PhD completions
• See our recent PhD publications
• See our PhD Destinations

• MPhil/PhD Social Policy
• Visiting Research Student scheme

Please note: MPhil/PhD Demography/Population Studies - this programme is now offered by the Department of Methodology. .

Our Department offers PhD supervision across a broad range of areas, including:

• Inequality, Poverty and Social Mobility: Income inequality, poverty and income dynamics, multidimensional inequality, social mobility, wealth, and lifecourse inequalities
• Work, Education and the Economy: Labour markets, employment, earnings, education policy, and social economics
• Social Identities and Inclusion: Gender, race and ethnicity, sexuality, disability, and social identities
• Families and Demography: Families and children, demography, migration, and population studies
• Social Policy and Welfare: Welfare reform, pensions, housing, social security, social rights, wellbeing, and policy-making in both developed and developing countries
• Governance and Institutions: Civil society, NGOs, and global, European, and comparative social policy
• Justice and Security: Crime, criminal justice, and social policy responses

All prospective research students must apply using the graduate online portal. Please read the information below before you begin the online application so that you have all the necessary documents ready for consideration.

Completing your Application

To apply for the MPhil/PhD in Social Policy, you must submit:

Required documents:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Personal statement
• Academic transcripts (including pending qualifications)
• Two academic references
• Sample of written work
• Research proposal (up to 4,000 words), with:
  • Title and abstract (max 300 words)
  • Description of your research problem
  • Review of relevant literature
  • Theoretical/conceptual framework
  • Research questions
  • Proposed methodology

Your proposal helps us assess your research and identify two suitable supervisors.

➡️ See further information on supporting documents

Application Checklist

• Programme code:
  • L4ZA – MPhil/PhD in Social Policy
  • L4EA – Visiting Research Student in Social Policy
• Minimum academic requirements:
  • 2:1 undergraduate degree
  • Master’s degree with overall average of 65% (LSE high merit), including 65% in the dissertation
  • Preferably in Social Policy or Public Policy
• English language requirements:
  • If your degree was not taught entirely in English, you must provide a valid IELTS or TOEFL score
  • You may apply before achieving the required score, but it will be a condition of your offer
  • See full English language requirements
• Identifying supervisors:
  • Explore academic staff interests before applying
  • You do not need to contact supervisors in advance – due to volume, they are unlikely to provide feedback prior to application
• Part-time study:
  • Available for applicants with other commitments
  • Supporting documents will be required
  • See Regulations for Research Students (paragraph 5)

Application Deadlines

• • 14 January 2026 (for LSE PhD Studentships and ESRC funding)
  • You must submit a complete application by this date to be considered
  • Self-funded places are rarely offered
  Funding deadline:
• Apply early:
  • Early applications are strongly recommended
  • If funding is not required, submit by 14 January to allow for internal consultation
  • Later applications may be considered if places remain

Additional Information

• Interviews:
  • Shortlisted candidates are normally interviewed before an offer is made
• Start date:
  • Autumn Term only

Visiting Research Student (VRS) scheme allows research students from other universities to spend up to 9 months in the Department of Social Policy. Visiting research students are normally 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.

A supervisor is assigned to every VRS and advice and direction offered as necessary.

How to apply to the VRS programme

The procedure and requirements are the same as for the MPhil/PhD. Please refer to the 'How to Apply' section above. Please ensure you use the correct code: L4EA - Visiting Research Social Policy.

• Where can I check the equivalence of my non-UK qualifications?

The Student Recruitment Office provides information aimed at prospective applicants coming from outside the UK. It includes information on .

Select the relevant region, click on the country of your choice and go to the entry requirements section on the left menu.

• Should I contact potential supervisors before I apply?

We do not expect applicants to identify potential supervisors beforehand, as this is part of the selection process. If you are interested in establishing whether the Department currently has staff working in your proposed area of research, you can find details of the research interests of all staff within the Department's Who's Who webpages. If you feel that one of the academics in the Department has interests that fit with yours, you can name him/her in your application and he/she would normally be asked to consider your research proposal.

Unfortunately, because of the high volume of enquiries, staff are not normally able to reply to requests for help with research applications or provide comments on PhD proposals.

• Do you offer distance learning?

Our programme requires regular attendance at the LSE during their first year, to attend courses, supervisory meetings and seminars, so we cannot offer distance learning. In exceptional circumstances, students may be granted permission to reside outside the UK while continuing their research programme.

Please see Regulations for Research Students, page 3 for information on study time away from the School.

• Can I apply for an MPhil programme rather than a PhD?

There is no separate MPhil programme. First-year students are registered as MPhil students only as part of their PhD programme. Once they pass Major Review at the end of their first year, they upgrade to PhD status.

Further details of alternative masters programmes is available here.

The MPhil/PhD Social Policy is part of the Social Policy group of accredited programmes for ESRC funding. LSE is an ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership.

Find out about scholarship opportunities available for the Department of Social Policy.

All enquiries should be addressed to the Research Degree Programmes Officer: Socialpolicy.Phd@lse.ac.uk