MPhil/PhD Sociology

The MPhil/PhD Sociology programme offers you the chance to undertake a substantial piece of research that is worthy of publication and which makes an original contribution.

Established in 1904, the Department of Sociology was the first to be created in Britain and has played a key role in establishing and developing the discipline nationally and internationally. We're committed to empirically rich, conceptually sophisticated research and scholarship addressing topics of social and political urgency. While building upon the traditions of the discipline we play a key role in developing new intellectual areas by embracing a theoretically and methodologically diverse range of approaches.

Broadly, our research covers five key areas:

• economic sociology
• politics and human rights
• social inequalities
• social studies of knowledge, culture and technology
• urban sociology.

Our research is highly interdisciplinary – enabling you to explore complex social issues in their broader cultural, political and economic contexts. In the most recent UK research evaluation (REF 2021), 86% of our research was awarded a four-star rating (world-leading) or three-star rating (internationally excellent).

As a postgraduate student, you’ll be encouraged to think critically and independently and to gain expertise in research methods. You can also take courses designed to develop your skills as a professional sociologist.

You'll begin on the MPhil, and will need to meet certain requirements to be upgraded to PhD status.

LSE students from our department go on to make significant contributions to the sociology field. As a graduate, you’ll be well-equipped for a high-level career in academia, policy analysis, consulting and many other areas.

• P Dunleavy Authoring a PhD: how to plan, draft, write and finish a doctoral dissertation or thesis (Palgrave Macmillan, 2003)

We recommend you read around your topic and articles in leading sociology journals such as British Journal of Sociology, American Journal of Sociology, Theory and Society, Sociological Review, and Sociology.

In your first year, you can choose to study a range of methods and specialist courses from a variety of institutes and departments at LSE. You must attend the first year research class for MPhil students SO500 Aims and Methods. You may also be required or advised by your supervisor to take methods courses and specialist taught courses relevant to your topic.

From the second year, you'll spend more time on independent study under the guidance of your supervisors. This will involve the collection, organisation, analysis and writing up of data and ideas. You'll also attend regular workshops and seminars related to your interests including a research class for MPhil and PhD students. You'll be expected to make an active contribution to these by presenting papers and/or taking part in general discussions.

In addition to progressing with your research, you'll be expected to take the listed training and transferable skills courses.

SO501 provides a forum for you to gain skills and confidence in data analysis skills by sharing your own PhD data with other students. Each student will present their data and have it analysed by the group.

You'll take an optional not examined course in a workshop environment to discuss key aspects of developing a career as a sociologist. You'll gain a practical understanding of how to pursue the different elements of a sociological career in order to be in a good position in the job market.

You may also submit your thesis.

The Department of Sociology conducts world-class research and teaching on some of the most challenging social and ethical issues facing society today.

Founded in 1904, our academics have contributed to shaping research and thinking in the field nationally and internationally.

We are committed to research and scholarship that is socially and politically relevant. The department’s research is organised into five clusters: economic sociology; politics and human rights; social inequalities; knowledge, culture and technology; and urban sociology. We engage in major debates at the intersection of economics, politics and society on issues such as migration, urban ecology and climate change.

With a thriving research community, we play an active role in several research centres and institutes, including LSE Cities, LSE Human Rights and the LSE International Inequalities Institute. Our research has a global impact, informing decision-making and policy for numerous governments, NGOs and international organisations.

Our research expertise is reflected in our teaching curriculum. The department offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, with 500 students engaged in learning and research at any one time.

We’re a lively department, with a regular programme of events involving workshops, conferences and collaborations with internal and external partners. We’re also home to the British Journal of Sociology, the UK’s leading publication in the field.

Learn more about our programmes and research.

Department of Sociology

We welcome applications for research programmes that complement the academic interests of our staff at LSE. For this reason, we recommend that you take a look at our staff research interests before applying.

We carefully consider each application and take into account all the information included on your form, such as your:

• academic achievement (including existing and pending qualifications)
• statement of academic purpose
• references
• CV
• outline research proposal
• sample of written work.

See further information on supporting documents.

You may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. See our English language requirements.

Please note that LSE allows part-time PhD study only under limited circumstances. If you wish to study part-time, you should mention this (and the reasons for it) in your statement of academic purpose, and discuss it at interview if you're shortlisted.

The application deadline for this programme is 15 January 2025.

If you’d like to be considered for any funding opportunities, you must submit your application (and all supporting documents) by the funding deadline.

See the fees and funding section below for more details.

The fee is likely to rise over the full duration of the programme. The School charges home research students in line with fee levels recommended by the Research Councils.

Learn more about fee status classification.

The fee is likely to rise over the full duration of the programme in line with the assumed percentage increase in pay costs (ie, four per cent each year).

Learn more about fee status classification.

Progression and assessment

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.

You'll register for the MPhil in the first instance. In week 6 of Autumn Term in your second year, you'll submit a 10,000-word research proposal for assessment, outlining the aims and methods of your thesis and providing preliminary data collection and analysis. The paper will be read by two members of the Department of Sociology, who will conduct the viva voce. Successful completion of this assessment means that you upgrade from MPhil registration to registration as a PhD candidate.

By week 6 of Winter Term in your third year, you'll submit two draft chapters, a chapter outline for the thesis, and a schedule for completing the thesis. The submission will be read by two members of the Department of Sociology, who will conduct the viva voce. Successful completion of this assessment means that you'll be re-registered onto the programme into the fourth and final year.

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

More about programme requirements

Students who successfully complete the programme often embark on an academic career. Our graduates have also gone on to work in the public sector and government as well as for international agencies.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

From CV workshops through to careers fairs, LSE offers lots of information and support to help you make that all-important step from education into work.

Many of the UK’s top employers give careers presentations at the School during the year and there are numerous workshops covering topics such as job hunting, managing interviews, writing a cover letter and using LinkedIn.

See LSE Careers for further details.