The Department of International Development has established a vibrant research students' programme with students employing a variety of disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to research across Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and the international system. The Department hosts ESRC postgraduate and CASE studentships and current students have secured scholarships from a wide variety of sources. Prospective students should have a strong academic record and postgraduate training or work experience demonstrating a high standard of achievement. This includes grounding in one of the social science disciplines and languages necessary for the proposed research.
During their first year, students acquire further methodological training, language skills, or background knowledge of specific topics related to their research by following postgraduate courses at the Department or in the School more widely. They work closely with a faculty supervisor to develop a detailed proposal for their dissertation projects. By the end of the second year, MPhil students will have completed their research and written up their dissertation, while students working on a PhD will have completed all research. By the end of the third year, PhD students should have completed their dissertation or be near to completion. For more detailed information, please see the MPhil/PhD Programme Guide|. (PDF)
Students participate together with faculty in regular research seminars where ongoing work is presented and debated. Research students have linked their projects to work with the UN Development Programme, the World Bank and other bilateral and multilateral development agencies, as well as with leading non-governmental organisations.
You can link to the LSE Calendar| for information and regulations.
Fee details are available in the Graduate Prospectus under Tuition fees for MPhil and PhD programmes and visiting research students|.
General admissions queries can usually be answered from the Graduate Admissions| website.
Information on Research student placement|.
When and where should I send my application?
Please note that we only accept new entrants for an October start as our courses and seminars are geared to run from the start of the academic year. Applications should arrive by 1st April if they are to stand any chance of funding or reasonable chance of acceptance. You can request a prospectus| and apply on-line| (it's cheaper too!). Full details about the application process are available from the Graduate Admissions| website. Make sure that you send your application to Graduate Admissions - do NOT send your application to the Department as this will delay it.
See also ID's Research students| page.