MPhil/PhD Social Policy at London School of Economics and Political Science

Programme overview

Drive social change through pioneering research on pressing social issues. What determines the needs, rights and wellbeing of citizens? What role should the state, family, markets and civil society play in our lives?

Department: Department of Social Policy | Duration: Three to four years, minimum two years full-time; part-time available | Study mode: full-time/part-time | Intake: 27 September 2027 | Location: London, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

You'll attend a seminar series run by the doctoral programme director and are also encouraged to take courses in the Department of Methodology and in the Department of Social Policy as necessary. In the first year, you'll register initially for the MPhil programme, and undertake specific training in research methods as required. Compulsory and core courses include Understanding Policy Research (Advanced), Research Student Seminar, Applied Regression Analysis, Multivariate Analysis and Measurement.

Career pathways

Recent doctoral graduates have pursued careers in academia, in the government and public sector, in research, consultancy, education and teaching, NGOs and charities. This data is drawn from the latest 2023/24 Graduate Outcomes Survey, conducted by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this programme is an upper second class honours (2:1) bachelor's degree (or equivalent), plus high merit (65+) in a master’s degree or equivalent, preferably in social policy, or public policy and a high merit (65+) in the dissertation. English language requirement: Research (IELTS 7.0 overall with 7.0 in reading and writing and 6.5 in listening and speaking).

Domestic applicants: GBP 5,368 a year (2027/28). First-year fee; likely to rise over the duration of the programme. Source

International applicants: GBP 25,300 a year (2027/28). First-year fee; likely to rise over the duration of the programme. Source

Intake: 27 September 2027

Duration: Three to four years, minimum two years full-time; part-time available

Apply through the official page: https://www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/Graduate/Prospective-students/How-to-Apply

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