MPhil/PhD in Development Studies
Programme Code: RPDV
Department: International Development
For students starting this programme of study in 2018/19
Guidelines for interpreting programme regulations
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.
Paper |
Course number, title (unit value) | |
Year 1 | ||
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Training courses |
Compulsory (examined): | |
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All students will be required to take either a full or two half unit courses in research methods in the School's Department of Methodology. The precise courses taken will be decided in consultation with the student's primary supervisor. | |
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Compulsory (not examined): | |
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DV500 Research Design in International Development (0.0) (withdrawn 2021/22) | |
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Students who have not received their MSc Development Studies from the LSE will be required to attend the lectures for the following core course: | |
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All first year students are required to attend a special seminar for research students. | |
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Optional (not examined): | |
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Further appropriate graduate level courses in the Department of International Development and agreed with supervisor. | |
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Optional (not examined): | |
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MPhil/PhD students will find it advantageous to attend the weekly Visiting Lecture Series in Development Studies in Michaelmas Term. | |
Prerequisite Requirements and Mutually Exclusive Options
# means there may be prerequisites for this course. Please view the course guide for more information.
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.
Thesis composition
The thesis can be submitted either as a monograph, or as a series of papers.
For candidates who choose to submit their thesis as a series of papers, there should be at least three papers, plus a substantial introduction, linking chapter and conclusion.
Notes on co-authored work:
- Co-authored papers are permitted, but normally at least two of the papers should be sole authored by the candidate.
- The introduction, the linking materials, and the conclusion must be solely the work of the candidate.
- Only one paper can be co-authored with the student’s supervisor, with appropriate safeguards for the candidate.
- In any co-authored paper, normally the student must have conceived the idea and methodology and drafted the paper. The part played by all the authors must be clearly indicated. The student and their co-authors must all attest that the percentage of work stated is accurate, and a note to this effect must be included in the thesis.
The candidate should decide on the format of their thesis by the end of the first academic year following their upgrade from MRes to PhD. The decision should be made after discussion with their supervisor(s), and with the Doctoral Programme Director if necessary.
Note for prospective students:
For changes to graduate course and programme information for the next academic session, please see the graduate summary page for prospective students. Changes to course and programme information for future academic sessions can be found on the graduate summary page for future students.