Classification scheme for the award of a taught master's degree (four units)
Exam sub-board local rules

Programme Structure - MRes

Programme code: TMRESPOLSC

Department: Government

For students starting this programme of study in 2020/21

Guidelines for interpreting programme regulations

Students complete and are examined in courses to the value of four full units.

Please note that places are limited on some optional courses. Admission onto any particular course is not guaranteed and can be subject to timetabling constraints and/or students meeting specific prerequisite requirements.

Prerequisite Requirements and Mutually Exclusive Options

# means there may be prerequisites for this course. Please view the course guide for more information.

Programme Structure - PhD

Programme code: RPPOLSCI

Prerequisite Requirements and Mutually Exclusive Options

# means there may be prerequisites for this course. Please view the course guide for more information.

Award of the MRes

The award and classification of the MRes is consistent with the School's Scheme for the Award of a four-unit Taught Master's Degree

Conditions for progression to PhD

1. Award of the MRes with at least a Merit; AND
2. Award of GV599 with at least a Merit; AND
3. Successfully passing an oral hearing, consisting of a short presentation by the student and questions from the Research Prospectus Approval Committee.

The Research Prospectus Approval Committee will look for: a clear explanation of the research question(s) and motivation(s); an account of relevant related scholarly work; a discussion of methods, approaches, or challenges; and a plan to conduct the work within four years. The Department will publish more detailed guidance on assessment criteria.

The Research Prospectus Approval Committee normally consists of one supervisor or advisor of the student, at least one member of the Department’s Doctoral Programme Committee, and an external assessor (usually the External Examiner for the MRes in Political Science). The Doctoral Programme Director chairs the Research Prospectus Approval Committee.

The Research Prospectus Approval Committee will make one of four decisions: Unconditional Approval, Conditional Approval, Revise and Resubmit, and Fail. Students with Conditional Approval have to submit a revised Research Prospectus to their Supervisor, normally within four weeks. The Doctoral Programme Director decides whether the conditions have been met, in consultation with the supervisor. Students who are required to Revise and Resubmit are usually expected to resubmit within three months. Resubmitted work is assessed by at least two members of the Research Prospectus Approval Committee. The Committee has discretion to conduct a second oral hearing if this is deemed necessary for the upgrade decision. If a second hearing is conducted, at least two members of the committee take part. Students who fail to pass, either at the first oral hearing or after Revise and Resubmit, will not be upgraded to PhD status.

In exceptional circumstances, the Research Prospectus Approval Committee can recommend to the Research Degrees Subcommittee to upgrade students who do not meet progression condition 1 (Award of MRes degree with at least a Merit). Such a recommendation must be based on very strong performance in certain subjects that offset weaknesses in others and an exceptionally strong Research Prospectus. Personal circumstances affecting assessment performance may also be taken into account.

Award of the PhD
The PhD is awarded according to the rules of LSE and the department, as follows:

The thesis to be submitted EITHER as:

1. a monograph; OR
2. a series of papers, with an introduction, critical discussion, and conclusion.

A paper-based thesis must contain at least three separate papers and a substantial introduction, conclusion, and some linking material to ensure the overall coherence of the thesis submitted. The total word count should not exceed that of a monograph PhD thesis (which should not exceed 100,000 words, including footnotes but excluding bibliography and appendices), unless special permission has been granted by the Research Degrees Subcommittee Chair).

Joint Authorship in a Paper-Based PhD Thesis

Introduction, conclusion and linking material must be solely the work of the candidate, and at least one paper must be single authored by the candidate. With the permission of the supervisor, the remaining papers included may be co-authored. However, if more than one paper is co-authored, the candidate must demonstrate that their contribution to the co-authored papers is substantial, and that the total overall quality and originality of the candidate’s submission is not compromised. To this purpose, the candidate must submit a written statement explaining the respective contributions of the co-authored papers in relation to the PhD, and their own respective contribution to the co-authored papers in relation to their co-authors. This statement must be endorsed by the supervisor and received by the Doctoral Programme Director, normally at least 6 months prior to submission. Submission of a thesis with more than one co-authored paper is only permitted after receiving written permission from the candidate’s supervisor and the Doctoral Programme Director.

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.