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Camille Bou

October 18th, 2022, want to pursue a phd here are some things to consider.

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

Over the course of my doctoral programme, I have devoted some time meeting individuals who were interested in pursuing a PhD. Is pursuing a PhD worth it? How do you submit a successful application? What is it like once you are in the PhD programme? Here is what I usually share with them to consider before they submit an application:

1. Can I commit the time?

Everybody knows that pursuing a PhD is a long endeavour. At LSE, a PhD will take three to four years full-time, and longer part-time. During this period of your life, you will work independently on your research and not everyday will be easy. It will be difficult to disconnect from the PhD even on your time off, so it will often feel like you’re always working.  

This is time that you will be committing to your personal and professional development but it is a very different investment than if you had chosen to pursue a position in industry. While you are pursuing your PhD, you may see your friends who left university getting promoted in their careers and reaching professional goals a lot quicker than you. Career progression in academia is a lot slower. Even if I made the decision to pursue the PhD and I was happy with this decision, there were times when seeing my peers move quicker through their careers and earning a good living affected me and made me doubt whether I had made the right choice.  

Moreover, not everybody understands the particularities of an academic career and the academic job market, so it can be difficult for your friends and family outside of academia to understand what you are committed to. Most of my friends and family don’t understand that although I am enrolled in a university programme, I am effectively at the entry-level of an academic career path and therefore that I am not just a student.

If I had a pound every time I heard my peers joke about when I was going to get a “real job”, maybe I’d be able to live comfortably in London from my PhD stipend alone!

2. Can I commit the finances?

We have all heard the famous quote by Benjamin Franklin, “Remember that time is money”. In addition to the investment of time required to pursue a PhD, there is an investment of financial resources. If you are self-funded, this investment is evident – are you able to pay out of pocket your tuition fees and support your living costs/cover your financial responsibilities while you pursue your PhD?  

If you have a studentship, then your tuition and living costs are technically paid for, although you may find that your stipend is often not sufficient to completely cover your living costs in London. Are you ready to be living on lower means for a certain duration of years, or working part-time alongside your PhD to make ends meet during this time?

Moreover, the pursuit of a PhD does not guarantee a high salary later on. If you continue on the academic path, you may earn on average £35k in the UK as a postdoctoral researcher, the duration of which varies from a year to three years. Professor track positions are highly competitive and you may need several postdoctoral positions before you manage to obtain an assistant professorship, which start at about £58k at LSE . Entry salaries vary depending on the industry if you get a job outside academia.

3. Why do I want to pursue a PhD?

Ultimately, the fundamental (and very obvious) question you should be asking yourself when deciding to apply for a PhD is why you want to do a PhD in the first place. Given the commitment of time and financial resources I have mentioned above, pursuing a PhD for the sake of the “prestige” and a doctoral title is not sufficient. You will struggle to complete your doctorate if these are your underlying motivations.

A PhD is time that you are committing to increasing your knowledge base and technical expertise, but you could potentially be doing this in an industry job, too. Do you see yourself pursuing an academic career (at least right now)? Do you need to build specialised skills and expertise to do what you want to as a career? Asking yourself these questions will better enable you to uncover your motivations to pursue a PhD.

About the author

I'm Camille, a PhD student in the Department of Health Policy. I'm interested in how context shapes the experiences of young informal carers in the United Kingdom. When I'm not analysing data, I enjoy listening to music and podcasts, catching up on TV series, walking in London's abundant green spaces, and exploring the city’s diverse art, food, and drinks scene!

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Selection Process - Postgraduate Research

Applying for an MRes/PhD or MPhil/PhD programme can be an exciting process. It offers you the opportunity to think critically about a topic that interests you and prepare towards carrying out independent research. However, given the high standards of academic skills required to complete a PhD, it can also feel daunting. This page contains information that will help you prepare for your doctoral journey. 

Questions to consider before applying

Before starting your application, it is important that you reflect on the main reasons for your decision to pursue a PhD and prepare your mind for the challenges of completing a doctoral programme. You should conduct thorough research on the requirements and structure of the programme you are interested in as well as the types of academic support offered by the department running the programme. The questions below have been created to help you think through the reality of doing doctoral study. Answers to some of these questions can be sought by visiting the webpages of the department you are considering joining and contacting the relevant departmental staff for additional information. 

• What does the institution expect of its research students in terms of time spent researching, undertaking training or attending ‘taught’ elements, and other responsibilities?
• What are the roles and responsibilities of doctoral supervision at the institution, and what provision is there for change of supervisor if my supervisor leaves or takes a sabbatical?
• What facilities and resources am I likely to need for my project and will I be able to access them?
• What costs am I likely to incur that are not included in the annual tuition fee, such as travel for research purposes, conference attendance, bench fees or specialist equipment?
• How will I be supported in finding opportunities to attend conferences, give presentations and publish?
• Will I be given opportunities to teach, and, if so, how much teaching is available/expected? How much support will be available to me as a novice teacher?
• What support is available (in my subject) for research and professional transferable skills development? Are there required courses I need to take?
• How does the institution promote an engaging and interdisciplinary postgraduate research environment?
• How are the concerns of doctoral students represented at the institution?
• What provision is there for arranged suspension of study (for example, for parental leave) and will I be able to return to my research if I suspend my study for some reason?
• What happens if I cannot or do not complete my research?
• What employment opportunities are available for someone researching in my field and how might this doctoral qualification enhance my career prospects? 

Source: The UK doctorate: a guide for current and prospective doctoral candidates, QAA and NUS ( https://www.rvc.ac.uk/Media/Default/study/postgraduate/documents/Doctorate-guide.pdf )  

The Doctoral Supervision Process

At LSE, the allocation of supervisors depends largely on the availability of staff with the right research background and who are likely to be staff members for the foreseeable future, who are interested in supervising your proposed research. The School expects that there should be at least two possible supervisors for each applicant. A department may have to turn away a potentially excellent student because it does not have the capacity to offer that student a place at that time due to supervisors not being available. Before starting your application, it is important to review the academic staff pages of departments to confirm if your research interests are likely to match existing research interests within the department. It may be helpful to contact a potential supervisor before applying to determine the extent to which they may be interested in your proposed topic, but please read departmental guidance on this before doing so. Please note that LSE Fellows cannot act as supervisors. 

Following confirmation of your place on a research programme, you will be assigned a lead supervisor (and a second supervisor/adviser) who is a specialist in your chosen research field, though not necessarily in your topic. Lead supervisors guide you through your studies. During your first year you will normally be required to undertake training in the methods  and subject specific knowledge necessary for you to undertake your proposed research. In all years, you will also normally be expected to attend and contribute to departmental research seminars and workshops. Together, these are designed to strengthen your methodological skills, language skills or background knowledge of specific topics related to your research, and help you to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for you to flourish as a research professional.  

In the course of your methods and skills training, you will be required to develop, and later present, a more detailed project proposal. The proposal, which should illustrate your command of the theoretical and empirical literature related to your topic, will be a clear statement of the theoretical and methodological approach you will take. It will include a draft outline and work plan, which should identify any periods of fieldwork necessary for your research. This should demonstrate the coherence and feasibility of the proposed research and thesis. 

When to apply

MRes/PhD and MPhil/PhD programmes normally start in late September each year but with the permission of the relevant department you may start in January (Lent term) or exceptionally in April (Summer term). This depends on the availability of taught courses that your department and academic supervisor decide that you must take. Most of those courses are held in the Michaelmas term, so most research programmes start in September. See  When to apply . 

Duration and mode of study

The time taken to complete any research degree depends on your progress and individual needs and you must remain registered with the School until your thesis has been submitted. 

MPhil/PhD: You register for the MPhil in the first instance. An assessment of your work, which usually occurs between 12 and 18 months from your start date, will allow us to appraise your aptitude for original research at doctoral level. If you have progressed satisfactorily you will be retroactively upgraded to full PhD status. The total duration of study is a maximum of four years full-time. 

MRes/PhD: You register for the MRes, which lasts one or two years full-time, depending on which track you are admitted to. In order to progress to the PhD part of the programme, you must satisfy progression requirements for your department, usually a merit overall and a merit in the dissertation. Registration at PhD level is usually a maximum of four years full-time, meaning the total duration of the MRes/PhD is five or six years, depending on your specific programme. 

LSE’s MPhil/PhD programmes are designed to be followed full time by fully funded students, as experience has shown that this route is the most successful for maintaining momentum to a successful and timely submission of your thesis. We recognise that certain circumstances, for example disability or caring commitments, may necessitate your studying part time. If you wish to be considered for part time study, you should mention this in your personal statement, and discuss it in your interview if you are shortlisted. 

  To be eligible for part time study:  a)      You must meet one of the criteria for part-time study (eg primary care responsibilities or disability),  b)      The Department must be in a position to provide training, supervision and support required for a part-time attendance  c)       You will still be undertaking study and attendance on campus (this is not a route for distance learning)  d)      You must not be subject to external restrictions on part time study for another reason (eg visa or funding). 

Preparing your supporting documents

Before applying to your chosen programme, it is important to confirm the key supporting documents required for your application. Typically, an application for a graduate research programme at LSE will require the following:  

(1) an academic transcript for each qualification you mention in your application;  

(2) a statement of academic purpose;  

(3) an outline of a research proposal if applying for a MRes programme or a full research proposal if applying for a MPhil/PhD programme;  

(4) a sample written work;  

(5) CV/resume;  

(6) GRE or GMAT scores if required for your programme; 

(7) two academic references. 

Depending on whether you have satisfied the School’s English language requirements, you may also need to provide proof of English test scores. Additional supporting documents can include professional references to supplement academic references.  

For detailed guidance on the supporting documents required for your application, please view the  Supporting Documents page.  As individual programmes may have specific requirements, some departments may not require all the items listed above or may have certain criteria for writing statements or research proposals. For this reason, we advise that you visit  the departmental website for your chosen programme  to ensure you make all necessary provisions. 

Interview Guidance

All academic departments, except the Department of Economics, interview all PhD applicants they are considering accepting (unless the applicant is already well-known to the department). One or more members of academic staff will be present at the interview (this might include your potential supervisor) and they will be involved in making the final decision to offer a PhD place to a student. The primary aim of the interview is to help the department gain further information about your motivation, commitment and potential for study at the doctoral level. It also provides the opportunity to convey your interest in and enthusiasm for your chosen topic, and your overall approach to academic work.  

LSE’s MPhil/PhD programmes are designed to be followed full-time as experience has shown that this route is the most successful for maintaining momentum for a successful and timely submission of the thesis. However, we recognise that certain circumstances, for example disability or caring commitments, may necessitate studying part-time. If you plan to complete your programme on a part-time basis, please prepare to discuss the reasons for this during the interview if you are shortlisted. 

We advise all applicants to attend the interview with a few questions for your interviewers. This will be your opportunity to fill any gaps in your knowledge about the department/programme and clarify the support mechanisms in place for doctoral students in that department. 

Below is more detailed information about what to expect from an interview. 

What are departments looking for in the interview? 

Doctoral students are expected to have certain attributes and the interview will be an opportunity for departments to get further information about the candidate’s: 

ability to process complex concepts, reason analytically and critically; 

ability to evaluate their own work and the work of others; 

capacity to conduct independent research as well as to accept guidance from others; 

enthusiasm for research; 

motivation and perseverance in achieving objectives; 

organisational skills; 

capacity to establish good working relationships; 

personal and academic integrity. 

Conducting the interview 

The interview is a two-way process: academic staff will be interviewing you, but in many respects, you will also be interviewing them. Consider how you will convince your interviewers of your suitability for the programme and the value you can add to the department. Try to think of the interview as an open conversation where you can discuss your interests, experiences, and ambitions. Your interviewers are likely to make notes as you speak but this is only to ensure they can remember what you say during the interview, so do not be concerned if they are not always maintaining eye contact. 

Some questions may be prompted by the information you included in your statement or research proposal so be prepared to review these materials prior to your interview. It will be useful to remind yourself of what you wrote to ensure the case you already made in your written application is consistent with what you say during the interview.  

Sample interview questions 

Motivation for doctoral study (at LSE) 

Please tell me something about you, what you have been doing/studying/working on during the past year? 

What made you apply for this programme at this particular time? Why did you choose LSE? What made you choose this department? 

Where do you anticipate/hope a PhD will lead in terms of your career development? 

What contribution do you think you will be making to your chosen field of research? 

Readiness for doctoral study 

What is the relevance of your previous study to your proposed research? 

What potential areas of research have you identified? How did you arrive at these? What interests you about them? 

Have you previously led seminars/taught undergraduates? 

How do you intend to fund your study? 

The demands of doctoral study 

Are you aware of the requirements of the programme (including taught courses)? 

What are you expecting by way of supervisory arrangements? 

How do you anticipate combining the demands of doctoral study/completing a PhD with other commitments you might have? 

Questions to consider asking your interviewers 

How many other PhDs are working in this research area and in the department as a whole? 

Are there any journal networks or research reading groups in the discipline? 

What are the publication expectations for PhD students in this department? 

What are the submission and qualification rates for PhDs in the department? 

Is there funding available to attend national or international conferences and meetings? Or to do fieldwork? 

At the end of the interview, it is helpful to: 

ask if your interviewers have any further questions for you; 

thank them; 

ask what will happen next and when you might hear from them. 

For more information about the interview process, please view this  page . 

Each academic year, LSE offers approximately 80 studentships to new PhD students in the form of LSE PhD Studentships, LSE ESRC Studentships, LAHP AHRC Studentships and LSE & III PhD Studentships on Analysing and Challenging Inequalities. These awards are open to high calibre students of all nationalities studying across all research areas at the School but, in particular, we are seeking to support applications from: 

UK students 

Women whose research will be within the field of Economics, Finance, Accounting, Management, Mathematics, Statistics and Methodology 

Black, Minority, Ethnic students, especially from Black African/Caribbean, Pakistani and Bangladeshi heritage 

LSE PhD Studentships  

LSE PhD Studentships are tenable for four years and cover full fees and an annual stipend, which was £20,622 for students starting in 2023. They are available for UK, EU and international students undertaking research in any LSE discipline, with annual renewal subject to satisfactory academic performance. 

These awards will be made solely on the basis of outstanding academic merit and research potential. This relates both to your past academic record and to an assessment of your likely aptitude to complete a PhD in your chosen topic in the time allocated.

These awards will be made solely on the basis of outstanding academic merit and research potential. This relates both to your past academic record and to an assessment of your likely aptitude to complete a PhD in your chosen topic in the time allocated. 

Studentships are tenable for four years and cover full fees and an annual stipend, which was £20,622 for students starting in 2023. 

ESRC funding  

LSE has an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) and has  ESRC studentships  in several programmes across 19 departments. These studentships are available for students of all nationalities. 

Studentships are tenable for three or four years, depending on the programme of study. They cover full fees (for international students, LSE will cover the difference between UK and overseas fees) and an annual stipend, which for 2023 entry was £20,622. 

Individual programme entries detail which programmes are eligible for ESRC funding. 

AHRC funding  

LSE is part of LAHP (London Arts and Humanities Partnership) , which is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Students of all nationalities can apply for one of these studentships. 

Studentships are tenable for three years and they cover full fees (for international students, LSE will cover the difference between UK and overseas fees) and an annual stipend, which for 2023 entry was £20,622. LSE will also cover full fees and stipend for an additional fourth year. 

LSE Departments that typically host AHRC studentships are International History, Media and Communications, Philosophy and Law, but students from other disciplines (for example, Anthropology, Gender Studies and International Development), can also apply if their research falls within the remit of AHRC, as explained on the UK Research and Innovation website .

To be considered for a LAHP studentship for 2023 entry, students need to have applied for their chosen programme of studies. They will also need to submit a separate funding application to LAHP, deadline to be confirmed. Details of the application process can be found on the LAHP website . 

Department-specific funding 

Check the  programme-related funding page  for PhD funding opportunities. 

How to apply for funding

Except for LAHP studentships (see above), academic departments nominate students for the funding opportunity they may be eligible for. There is no separate application for LSE, ESRC and department-specific studentships. To be considered for this funding, you must submit your complete application for admission to LSE by a specific date. This date differs by academic department. 

• deadline for being considered for LSE PhD Studentships and ESRC funding for 2024 entry if you apply to a programme in the Law School : 1 December 2023

deadline for being considered for LSE PhD Studentships and ESRC funding for 2024 entry if you apply to a programme in the Department of Economics: 14 December 2023

deadline for being considered for the first round of LSE PhD Studentships and ESRC funding for 2024 entry for all other departments: 15 January 2024

deadline for being considered for the second round of LSE PhD Studentships for 2024 entry (some departments only): 25 April 2024 depending on the programme you are applying to. Details can be found on the individual programme page. 

For more information about fees and funding for research programmes at LSE, please view the Fees and Funding  page . 

Attaining Comprehensive Equality in Postgraduate Research Initiative

(ACE PGR Initiative) 

ACE PGR Initiative has been designed to improve the educational experiences and student outcomes of UK Black, Asian and minority-ethnic (BAME) candidates at PGR level.   With a focus on enhancing long-term academic success for PGR students, the ACE PGR Initiative will provide support to BAME candidates at three key stages of the PGR lifecycle: (1) Access, (2) Student Success, and (3) Career Progression. 

In the initial phase, the pilot scheme will concentrate primarily on increasing access to PGR study. The application fee will be waived for all self-identifying BAME applicants of UK nationality who apply to a MRes/PhD and MPhil/PhD programme at LSE.  All self-identifying UK BAME applicants will be automatically included in the scheme unless they use the opt-out option on the online application. This means that, in addition to the waiver of the application fee, opt-in UK BAME applicants will benefit from:  

a contextualised admissions process in line with the Office for Students’ guidance.  

a 15-minute pre-interview session with an academic staff member of the relevant department  

tailored admissions feedback if the application is unsuccessful. 

For more information about this initiative, please click here

ACE PGR Initiative Attaining Comprehensive Equality in Postgraduate Research

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Application process

Applying for a phd, introduction.

Known as a research degree, the PhD is usually a four year (full-time) or five to seven year (part-time) course of independent and original research which is supervised by an academic specialist in the subject area. 

You will contribute new research in the form of a thesis suitable for publication which is usually around 100,000 words. It is examined by two examiners, one internal and one external who read your work and then ask you to defend it in an oral exam, the viva voce. 

PhDs are traditionally research based, although the integrated PhDs, also known as New Route PhDs, combine research with more vocational training. Increasingly taught courses are compulsory in the first year. 

Professional doctorates are useful for students interested in careers outside academia and consist of a taught core and incorporate both professional practice and academic knowledge. They are available in education (EdD), engineering (EngD or DEng) and business (DBA). 

Why do a PhD?

People complete PhDs for a variety of reasons: 

love of a particular part of their subject

springboard into a new career

access to excellent resources/training useful for non-academic careers

as a pre-requisite for academic careers.

As well as planning then conducting research and writing the thesis, PhD students will often teach undergraduate or master’s students, support more senior academics in their research work, publish articles, attend and present at conferences, work with business or other organisations to explore the value of their research in other fields outside academia (impact), collaborate with organisations or individuals (knowledge exchange) and contribute to their field in voluntary capacity (for example, as a reviewer, event organiser, network co-ordinator). 

When can I do a PhD?

You can do a PhD if you have at least an Upper Second relevant first degree or a relevant master’s. You must have in-depth knowledge of your subject area and be able to present a comprehensive research proposal. Some people start the PhD straight after completing a master’s, other people work outside academia for a few years and then apply for the PhD. 

Before starting a PhD you could apply for a job as a graduate research assistant where you would support the research of an academic in your department, teach, take part in laboratory work and complete your own research. You could also consider completing a PhD part-time whilst in a job. 

Researching into PhDs

Choosing the right programme takes time and research. It is important to apply to departments that specialise in your topic. Check the research quality assessed in the  Research Excellence Framework  (REF 2014) and also the quality of the teaching in the department via the  Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)  ratings. 

Talk to people who know the field about where they recommend is a good place to study. 

You can apply in one of two ways. You create the topic yourself, pitch it at your preferred institution in a Research Proposal and hope to gain funding via the institution. Alternatively, you can apply to work on a topic which has been agreed between a funding council and an institution and then advertised as a PhD position. If you are accepted funding will be assured. 

We recommend you take time to: 

ask for help from a current or recent academic tutor 

think about the people whose work you like, or who you read regularly, look at their department 

speak to the PhD administrator in departments that you think interest you 

use information on  Find a PhD

book on to a   LSE Careers further study event  

talk through your options with a careers consultant 

use the LSE Careers blog ,  So you’re thinking about a PhD? 5 tips for prospective PhDs .  

Making an application

Read the  LSE guidance on applying for a PhD .  

You will need to write a research proposal, personal statement and have a CV. 

The referees you choose are important as they will write about your academic achievements and potential. Get in touch with them early and ask for their advice too. 

Search  programmes with spaces at LSE . 

Useful publications in the LSE Careers physical library

Your PhD Companion, Stephen Marshall and Nick Green, 2004.

The PhD Application Handbook, Peter Bentley, 2006.

How To Get a PhD: third edition, Estelle Phillips and Derek Pugh, 2001.

Useful online information

Prospects.ac.uk:  postgraduate study and research . 

Find a PhD . 

The Fulbright Commission  for applications and funding in the USA.

Related pages

Watch our latest session on thinking about doing a phd, explore our further study events, book a one-to-one appointment to discuss your application.

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MRes/PhD International Development

• Graduate research
• Department of International Development
• Application code Y2ZI
• Starting 2024
• Home full-time: Closed
• Overseas full-time: Closed
• Location: Houghton Street, London

This programme offers you the chance to undertake a substantial piece of work that is worthy of publication and which makes an original contribution to international development. You will begin on the MRes, and will need to meet certain requirements to progress to the PhD.

The Department of International Development promotes interdisciplinary graduate teaching and research on processes of social, political and economic development and change. The Department is dedicated to understanding problems of poverty and late development within local communities, as well as national and international political and economic systems.

The Department conducts research and teaching across seven broad themes: complex emergencies, security, and humanitarianism in war-torn societies; comparative politics of development; governance, civil society, and informal politics; development management; development economics; the demography of developing countries and the politics of global health. Faculty have considerable experience of living and working in the developing world, and most have engaged in policy-relevant research and consultancy work with international development agencies or non-governmental organisations.

This is a vibrant MRes/PhD programme with students employing a variety of disciplinary and interdisciplinary methods from across the social sciences to research questions of development around the globe.

Programme details

For more information about tuition fees and entry requirements, see the fees and funding and assessing your application sections.

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements for mres/phd international development.

Taught master’s degree with 65 or above overall and in the dissertation element, or the equivalent.

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.

If you have studied or are studying outside of the UK then have a look at our  Information for International Students  to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

GRE/GMAT requirement

Highly recommended but not compulsory.

Find out more about GRE/GMAT

Assessing your application

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.

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 existing and pending qualifications) - statement of academic purpose - references - CV - GMAT/GRE - outline research proposal - sample of written work.

See further information on supporting documents

Your research proposal for the MRes/PhD International Development should be approximately 1500 - 2000 words. It should have a descriptive title to enable us to identify the broad theme of the project. You will also be prompted to complete the box for programme specific information, when filling out the online application form. You must  include the following under programme specific information:

-the title of your research proposal -a short summary of your research proposal -the name of your proposed supervisor(s) in the department. (Please note: this does not mean you need to have made contact with supervisors or obtained their approval in advance, it simply helps us when assessing your application).

If any of this information is missing or incomplete, it may delay consideration of your application.

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

When to apply

The application deadline for this programme is 15 January 2024 . However, to be considered for any LSE funding opportunity, you must have submitted your application and all supporting documents by the funding deadline. See the fees and funding section for more details.

Fees and funding

Every research student is charged a fee in line with the fee structure for their programme.  The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It does not cover  living costs  or travel or fieldwork.

Tuition fees 2024/25 for MRes/PhD International Development

Home students: £4,829 for the first year (provisional) Overseas students: £22,632 for the first year

The fee is likely to rise over subsequent years of the programme. The School charges home research students in line with the level of fee that the Research Councils recommend. The fees for overseas students are likely to rise in line with the assumed percentage increase in pay costs (ie, 4 per cent per annum).

The Table of Fees shows the latest tuition amounts for all programmes offered by the School.

The amount of tuition fees you will need to pay, and any financial support you are eligible for, will depend on whether you are classified as a home or overseas student, otherwise known as your fee status. LSE assesses your fee status based on guidelines provided by the Department of Education.

Further information about fee status classification.

Scholarships, studentships and other funding

The School recognises that the  cost of living in London  may be higher than in your home town or country, and we provide generous scholarships each year to home and overseas students.

This programme is eligible for  LSE PhD Studentships , and  Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funding . Selection for the PhD Studentships and ESRC funding is based on receipt of an application for a place – including all ancillary documents, before the funding deadline.  

Funding deadline for LSE PhD Studentships and ESRC funding: 15 January 2024

In addition to our needs-based awards, LSE also makes available scholarships for students from specific regions of the world and awards for students studying specific subject areas.   Find out more about financial support.

External funding 

There may be other funding opportunities available through other organisations or governments and we recommend you investigate these options as well.

Further information

Fees and funding opportunities

Information for international students

LSE is an international community, with over 140 nationalities represented amongst its student body. We celebrate this diversity through everything we do.  

If you are applying to LSE from outside of the UK then take a look at our Information for International students . 

1) Take a note of the UK qualifications we require for your programme of interest (found in the ‘Entry requirements’ section of this page). 

2) Go to the International Students section of our website. 

3) Select your country. 

4) Select ‘Graduate entry requirements’ and scroll until you arrive at the information about your local/national qualification. Compare the stated UK entry requirements listed on this page with the local/national entry requirement listed on your country specific page.

Programme structure and courses

Introductory course.

Accepted students who are planning to use advanced quantitative analysis in their PhD research are required to take the summer Introductory Course in Mathematics and Statistics, particularly if you want to take advanced statistical courses.

Introductory Course in Mathematics and Statistics Provides the essential mathematical, statistical, economic and econometric background for the core Economics courses of these programmes.

First year (MRes)

The MRes programme is the entry point to doctoral research and is designed both to train you in development approaches and perspectives, and to provide significant flexibility to develop advanced methodological and theoretical skills within disciplinary specialisms appropriate to your research interests.

In addition, you will develop any necessary language skills and background knowledge of specific topics related to your research.

(* denotes a half unit)

Development History, Theory and Policy for Research Students* An interdisciplinary course that examines major trends, concepts and perspectives in the history and theory of development.

Research Design and Proposal in International Development You will work with your academic supervisors to structure a doctoral research proposal that has the potential to make a significant contribution to knowledge and that reflects a sophisticated mastery of advanced theoretical and methodological tools from one or more academic disciplines related to international development.

Research Design in International Development This course is designed for engagement with methodological and research design issues in international development research. Sessions are organised around methodological choices and research design (eg. inference, case studies, fieldwork challenges, and ethics), and involve presentation of research projects in the second term.

Methodology courses to the value of one unit

Methodology or theory courses to the value of 0.5 units

Subject to satisfactory performance, you will be upgraded to the PhD programme and will implement your research plan.

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.

Supervision, progression and assessment

Supervision.

You will be assigned a lead supervisor (and a second supervisor/adviser) who is a specialist in your chosen research field, though not necessarily in your topic. Lead supervisors guide you through your studies.

Progression and assessment

At the end of the first year you will complete the assessments for your courses and finalise your Research Prospectus, the provisional research plan for your PhD. If you achieve the required marks in your Research Prospectus and other assessments, as outlined in the progression requirements, you will be upgraded to the PhD part of the programme.

Your final award of the PhD will be determined by the completion of an original research thesis and a viva oral examination.

More about progression requirements.

Student support and resources

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.  

Student advisers   – we have a  Deputy Head of Student Services (Advice and Policy)  and an  Adviser to Women Students  who can help with academic and pastoral matters.

Student life

As a student at LSE you’ll be based at our central London campus. Find out what our campus and London have to offer you on academic, social and career perspective. 

Student societies and activities

Your time at LSE is not just about studying, there are plenty of ways to get involved in  extracurricular activities . From joining one of over 200 societies, or starting your own society, to volunteering for a local charity, or attending a public lecture by a world-leading figure, there is a lot to choose from. 

The campus 

LSE is based on one  campus  in the centre of London. Despite the busy feel of the surrounding area, many of the streets around campus are pedestrianised, meaning the campus feels like a real community. 

Life in London 

London is an exciting, vibrant and colourful city. It's also an academic city, with more than 400,000 university students. Whatever your interests or appetite you will find something to suit your palate and pocket in this truly international capital. Make the most of career opportunities and social activities, theatre, museums, music and more. 

Want to find out more? Read why we think  London is a fantastic student city , find out about  key sights, places and experiences for new Londoners . Don't fear, London doesn't have to be super expensive: hear about  London on a budget . 

Quick Careers Facts for the Department of International Development

Median salary of our PG students 15 months after graduating: £32,000          

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

• Government, Public Sector and Policy   
• Education, Teaching and Research            
• Health and Social Care  
• Consultancy      
• International Organisations

The data was collected as part of the Graduate Outcomes survey, which is administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Graduates from 2020-21 were the fourth group to be asked to respond to Graduate Outcomes. Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and who were working in full-time employment.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Support for your career

Many leading organisations give careers presentations at the School during the year, and LSE Careers has a wide range of resources available to assist students in their job search. Find out more about the  support available to students through LSE Careers .

Find out more about LSE

Discover more about being an LSE student - meet us in a city near you, visit our campus or experience LSE from home. 

Experience LSE from home

Webinars, videos, student blogs and student video diaries will help you gain an insight into what it's like to study at LSE for those that aren't able to make it to our campus.  Experience LSE from home . 

Come on a guided campus tour, attend an undergraduate open day, drop into our office or go on a self-guided tour.  Find out about opportunities to visit LSE . 

LSE visits you

Student Marketing, Recruitment and Study Abroad travels throughout the UK and around the world to meet with prospective students. We visit schools, attend education fairs and also hold Destination LSE events: pre-departure events for offer holders.  Find details on LSE's upcoming visits . 

How to apply

Virtual Graduate Open Day

Register your interest

Related programmes, mres/phd political science.

Code(s) M1ZN

MPhil/PhD Social Policy

Code(s) L4ZA

MPhil/PhD Economic History

Code(s) V3ZE

Request a prospectus

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