MRes/PhD International Development

This is a vibrant MRes/PhD programme that uses a variety of disciplinary and interdisciplinary methods from across the social sciences to explore questions of global development.

You’ll have the chance to undertake a substantial piece of work that is worthy of publication and makes an original contribution to international development. You’ll begin on the MRes, and once you’ve met certain requirements, you’ll 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.

You’ll have the opportunity to study across several broad themes, including: complex emergencies, security, and humanitarianism in war-torn societies; comparative politics of development; and governance, civil society, and informal politics.

The programme also explores development management; development economics; and the demography of developing countries and the politics of global health.

Our faculty has 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.

GRE/GMAT requirement

Highly recommended but not compulsory.

Find out more about GRE/GMAT

Introductory course

If you're planning to use advanced quantitative analysis in your PhD research, you're recommended to take an introductory summer course, particularly if you want to take advanced statistical courses.

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'll develop any necessary language skills and background knowledge of specific topics related to your research.

First year (PhD)

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

Second year (PhD)

You'll continue with your PhD.

Third year (PhD)

You'll continue with your PhD or submit your thesis.

Formed in 1990, our department provides a focus for postgraduate teaching and research on the processes of social, political and economic development and change.

We’re proud of LSE’s reputation as one of the top universities in the world for development studies. Our academics and researchers explore the causes of poverty, social exclusion, economic stagnation, humanitarian crises and human security. We look at why and how some late developing countries have succeeded in overcoming these problems while others have not or have seen their progress derailed by disasters and conflicts.

Currently, we offer four taught MSc programmes and a stimulating research programme – with research projects across Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.

Teaching staff, who have considerable experience living and working in the developing world, engage in policy-relevant research and consultancy with international development agencies and non-government organisations. Research within the department spans several broad themes.

Our study programmes attract talented students from all over the world. Graduates find rewarding careers in a wide variety of government, non-government, UN, academic and private-sector organisations.

Department of International Development

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
• GMAT/GRE
• 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.

Your research proposal for the MRes/PhD International Development should be approximately 1,500 - 2,000 words. It should have a descriptive title to enable us to identify the broad theme of the project. You'll 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 (this doesn't 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.

Please note that students may apply to study part-time after successful completion of first year.

The application deadline for this programme is 18 December 2024.

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

At the end of the first year you'll 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'll 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.

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.