In addition to making progress on your PhD project, you are expected to take the listed training and transferable skills courses. You may take courses in addition to those listed and should discuss this with your supervisor. All programmes of study should be agreed with your supervisor at the start of the year.
First year
The first “coursework” year prepares students for research in philosophy and the completion of a central thesis chapter. At the end of this first year the progress of students is reviewed, to establish that they are on track to upgrade from MPhil to PhD status. In consultation with their academic supervisors, PhD students also settle on a definite research topic by the end of the first year.
Training courses
Compulsory (examined/not examined)
Philosophical Problems Seminar
Examines a range of classic papers in contemporary analytic philosophy that might not otherwise be covered in LSE Philosophy Department courses.
Either
Logic and Probability
Aims to give a precise formulation of correct deductive reasoning – of what it means for a sentence to follow from a set of other sentences taken as premises – and to investigate on this basis other important logical notions such as that of consistency.
Or
One further master's-level course not already taken
Either
one further master's-level course not already taken
And
Courses to the value of one unit of PhD Seminars
Or
Three term units of PhD level seminars with associated coursework
Optional (not examined)
Transferable skills courses offered by the Teaching and Learning Centre or the Methodology Institute.
Second year
Years 2–4 is the time when PhD students dive deep into the research and writing of their thesis. While writing the thesis students attend the Department’s Popper Seminar, but also any of the wealth of regular research seminars that may be relevant to their research.
Students in their 2nd year aim to write two or three further chapters beyond the chapter they completed in their first year.
Training courses
Optional (not examined)
Research Seminar in the Philosophy of Natural Sciences
This is a special topics course on the philosophy of physics. It meets weekly, and has two components.
The first component (roughly half the meetings) will consist in lectures on the philosophy of physics. The remaining component will consist in attending cutting-edge lectures by professional philosophers of physics, and in some cases by other philosophers of science.
Research Seminar in the Philosophy of Economics and Social Sciences
Covers philosophical issues in economics and the social sciences.
Research Methods in Philosophy
Covers topics in contemporary philosophy.
Optional (examined/not examined)
Transferable skills courses offered by the Teaching and Learning Centre or the Methodology Institute.
Third year
In the 3rd year students produce a draft of the entire thesis, while writing papers, submitting to conferences, and getting to know the dynamic field of philosophy and their place in it. In the 4th year, students polish their material and prepare to go on the job market.
Training courses
Optional (not examined)
Research Seminar in the Philosophy of Natural Sciences
This is a special topics course on the philosophy of physics. It meets weekly, and has two components.
The first component (roughly half the meetings) will consist in lectures on the philosophy of physics. The remaining component will consist in attending cutting-edge lectures by professional philosophers of physics, and in some cases by other philosophers of science.
Research Seminar in the Philosophy of Economics and Social Sciences
Covers philosophical issues in economics and the social sciences.
Research Methods in Philosophy
Covers topics in contemporary philosophy.
Optional (examined/not examined)
Transferable skills courses offered by the Teaching and Learning Centre or the Methodology Institute.
Fourth year
Training courses
Research Seminar in the Philosophy of Natural Sciences
This is a special topics course on the philosophy of physics. It meets weekly, and has two components.
The first component (roughly half the meetings) will consist in lectures on the philosophy of physics. The remaining component will consist in attending cutting-edge lectures by professional philosophers of physics, and in some cases by other philosophers of science.
Research Seminar in the Philosophy of Economics and Social Sciences
Covers philosophical issues in economics and the social sciences.
Research Methods in Philosophy
Covers topics in contemporary philosophy.
Optional (examined/not examined)
Transferable skills courses offered by the Teaching and Learning Centre or the Department of Methodology.
For the most up-to-date list of optional courses please visit the relevant School Calendar page.
You must note, however, that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that the School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.
You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. You should visit the School’s Calendar, or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the updated graduate course and programme information page.