The academic year at LSE may be different to the structures from your previous academic institution, so here is your guide to what is happening when. Apart from dissertation elements, this structure will also apply to part-time students.
September:
Welcome Week is finally here. You will meet your teachers, programme directors, support staff and moreover, all your fellow students, who will form an important part of your life over the next year. Teaching starts on Monday 25 September (this is Autumn Term week 1).
October:
You will need to finalise your course choice by Friday 6 October.
November:
The Philosophy Department operates a reading week in week 6 of Autumn Term (30 October – 3 November). Please note that not all departments may operate a reading week and some teaching is scheduled continuously until week 10. This is relevant if you study outside options.
December:
Last day of teaching is Friday 8 December.
January:
January exams will take place the week commencing Monday 8 January 2024. Not all courses have exams in January and you can find out more about this in the course guide. Teaching will start on Monday 15 January (this is Winter Term week 1).
You will be asked to submit your self-assessment form before the start of term where you can review your performance so far with your academic mentor and flag any issues that may have arisen.
You have got the option to change 0.5 units for Winter Term only. Any courses you have already received teaching for, cannot be dropped. (not even if you have not attended teaching, so please be careful).
February:
The Philosophy Department operates a reading week in week 6 of Winter Term (19 – 23 February). Please note that not all departments may operate a reading week and some teaching is scheduled continuously until week 10.
You will need to submit an abstract and working title for your dissertation and name three supervisors you would like to work with. You do not need to confirm your supervisor, the Department will take care of the allocation.
Last day of teaching is Thursday 28 March
April:
Spring Break, but you may find a number of essay deadlines will be during April or at the beginning of May. All deadlines will be confirmed after you have started your programme.
May:
Spring Term is here and with it comes our main exam period, 29 April – 14 June.
You will attend the second part of your dissertation seminar and get lots of useful tips and feedback for your topic
June:
Exam period finishes.
You will be asked to submit your dissertation outline at the beginning of June.
At the end of June, we have set a deadline for dissertation drafts and guaranteed feedback. It is not mandatory to submit a draft but it is a good way to see where you stand with your dissertation. After this deadline supervisors will not provide you with further comments.
July:
Dissertation writing
August:
There are no fixed dates for departments to release provisional marks to students. The earliest that marks can be made available to students on a 12 months master programme is 1 August each year, and the Department of Philosophy always aims at submitting marks so that they are published on or shortly after 1 August. You will be able to receive feedback on your exam performance around this time as well.
The big day for dissertation submission is here.
September:
You have officially reached the end of your programme!
November:
Confirmed marks will be released, transcripts are available shortly after.
Students will be notified if they need to re-sit elements of their assessment. The resit period will be in January 2025.
December:
GRADUATION – we will see you off with lots of cheering and clapping and a small reception after your walk down the platform.
