Close

Programmes

Visiting Research Student in Finance

  • Graduate research
  • Department of Finance
  • Application code N3EA
  • Starting 2023
  • Home full-time: Open
  • Home part-time: Open
  • Overseas full-time: Open
  • Location: Houghton Street, London

We welcome research students from other universities to spend from one term up to one academic year at LSE as a Visiting Research Student (VRS).

The VRS scheme allows students who are registered as doctoral researcher at other institutions to participate in research activities in the Department and the School, to interact with other research students, and to benefit from the expertise of LSE faculty, the training offered by the PhD Academy, and LSE Library facilities. Note that Visiting Research Students do not have access to any LSE taught courses. 

We welcome applications that complement the academic interests of faculty members in the Department and we recommend that you investigate their research interests before applying. Once you have found an academic whose research interests are relevant to your own you should contact them directly, outlining your proposed area of research, to see if they will agree, in principle, to act as an advisor during your time at LSE.

As a VRS, you will not be able to take accredited or examined courses or be fully supervised in the same way as an LSE doctoral student. You will be able to participate in doctoral workshops and research seminars, interact with other doctoral students, and discuss your research with your nominated advisor. You are expected to be self-funded. 

Because of its emphasis on independent research, the VRS scheme is better suited to students who are at an advanced stage in their doctoral training and research.

Programme details

Key facts
Duration From one term up to one academic year
Tuition fee
2023/24

£1,624 per term

Table of fees
Location  Houghton Street, London

 

Assessing your application

To apply as a visiting research student, you apply in the same way as for our MRes/PhD in Finance programme, with the same entry criteria. You can find the entry criteria for the MRes/PhD Finance here.

We welcome applications for research programmes that complement the academic interests of members of staff at the School, and we recommend that you investigate staff research interests before applying. However, please do not get in touch with faculty at this stage.

We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account all the information presented on your application form, including your:

  • academic achievement (including predicted and achieved grades)
  • academic statement of purpose
  • references
  • CV
  • GRE/GMAT (if applicable)
  • outline research proposal
  • sample of written work

See further information on supporting documents

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency, although you do not need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE. See our English language requirements.

Competition for places at the School is high. This means that even if you meet our minimum entry requirement, this does not guarantee you an offer of admission.

Statement of Academic Purpose

Your Statement of Academic Purpose should clearly explain the below:

  • Why you want to do research in finance
  • How your studies and experience make you suitable to do research in finance

Research Interests

Your Research Interests should be submitted in place of the Outline Research Proposal, along with your application form and other required supporting documents, via the LSE online application system.

  1. Which aspect of the PhD do you think you will like the most? Which will you dislike the most? Why? (Max. 200 words)
  2. Tell us about your favourite paper in financial economics. What do you like about it? How would you improve it? (Max. 400 words)
  3. Write a comment for a general audience on a topic/question that interests you in finance: (Max. 400 words).
  • Sample topics might include:
    • Is CEO compensation excessive?
    • Markets function well as information is aggregated efficiently through prices.
    • What are the benefits of shareholder activism?

GRE/GMAT

GMAT or GRE is required from all applicants (GRE is preferred)

More about GRE/GMAT

How to apply

Virtual Graduate Open Day

Register your interest

Ask LSE

 Department homepage

Print or share

Related Programmes

MRes/PhD Finance

Code(s) N4ZC

MRes/PhD Accounting (Economics of Accounting)

Code(s) N2ZE (EA track)

Request a prospectus

  • Name
  • Address

Register your interest

  • Name

Speak to Admissions

Content to be supplied