MPhil/PhD in Development Studies

Programme code: RPDV

Department: International Development

In addition to progressing with their research, students are expected to take the listed training and transferable skills courses.
Students may take courses in addition to those listed, and should discuss this with their supervisor.

Guidelines for interpreting programme regulations

Year 1
Training courses
Compulsory (examined)
All students will be required to take either a full or two half unit courses in research methods in the School's Methodology Institute. The precise courses taken will be decided in consultation with the student's primary supervisor.

Compulsory (not examined)
DV500 Research Seminar in Development Studies

Students who have not received their MSc Development Studies from the LSE will be required to attend the lectures for the core course DV400 Development: History, Theory and Policy. All first year students are required to attend a special seminar for research students.

Optional (not examined)
Further appropriate graduate level courses in the Department of International Development and agreed with supervisor.

Optional (not examined)
MPhil/PhD students will find it advantageous to attend the weekly Visiting Lecture Series in Development Studies in Michaelmas Term.

By Year 4
Students are expected to have completed their research.

Progression and Upgrade requirements
Students will be required to achieve a minimum mark of 65% in the Methodology courses. Failure to do so may mean that you are unable to progress onto the PhD programme and will remain at MPhil until you have either completed a further methodology course or achieved an improved grade.

All students will be interviewed during the Michaelmas Term of their second year by the Graduate Review Committee. Continued registration for a second year will be conditional on the work presented being of a satisfactory standard and if satisfactory, will be upgraded from MPhil to PhD. By the end of Summer Term of the second year students should have finished all fieldwork (where applicable). By the end of the third year students should be able to complete their dissertation.