MRes/PhD in Political Science
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 2023/24
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.
Year 1 | ||
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Paper 1 |
Research Design | |
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GV5X1 Research Design in the Social Sciences (1.0) | |
Paper 2 |
Methods courses | |
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A) Quantitative research topics | |
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MY557 Causal Inference for Observational and Experimental Studies (0.5) # | |
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GV481 Quantitative Analysis for Political Science (0.5) | |
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GV4G1 Applied Quantitative Methods for Public Policy and Political Science (0.5) # (not available 2024/25) | |
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B) Qualitative research topics | |
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GV4N1 Qualitative Analysis for Political Science (0.5) | |
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GV513 Qualitative Methods in the Study of Politics (0.5) (not available 2024/25) | |
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MY551A Introduction to Quantitative Analysis (0.5) | |
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MY551W Introduction to Quantitative Analysis (0.5) | |
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C) Political theory research topics | |
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GV504 Research Methods in Political Theory (1.0) | |
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If these courses have already been taken, other methods courses may be substituted with the approval of the Doctoral Programme Director. | |
Paper 3 |
Field seminars | |
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GV517 Comparative Political Economy: New Approaches and Issues in CPE (0.5) (not available 2024/25) | |
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GV5X2 Research Paper in Conflict Studies and Comparative Politics (1.0) | |
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GV5XA Research Paper in Conflict Studies and Comparative Politics (0.5) | |
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GV5XB Research Paper in Conflict Studies and Comparative Politics (0.5) | |
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GV5X3 Research Paper in Political Behaviour (1.0) | |
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GV5XC Research Paper in Political Behaviour (0.5) | |
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GV5XD Research Paper in Political Behaviour (0.5) | |
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GV5X4 Research Paper in Global Politics (1.0) | |
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GV5XE Research Paper in Global Politics (0.5) | |
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GV5XF Research Paper in Global Politics (0.5) | |
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GV5X5 Research Paper in Political Science and Political Economy (1.0) | |
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GV5XG Research Paper in Political Science and Political Economy (0.5) | |
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GV5XH Research Paper in Political Science and Political Economy (0.5) | |
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GV5X6 Research Paper in Political Theory (1.0) | |
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GV5XJ Research Paper in Political Theory (0.5) | |
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GV5XK Research Paper in Political Theory (0.5) | |
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GV5X7 Research Paper in Public Policy and Administration (1.0) | |
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GV5XL Research Paper in Public Policy and Administration (0.5) | |
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GV5XM Research Paper in Public Policy and Administration (0.5) | |
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Any research methods or specialist subject course taught anywhere in the School, with the approval of the Course Convenor and the Doctoral Programme Director, or any course from the following if not already taken under Paper 2 above: | |
Paper 4 |
Research Prospectus | |
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GV599 Research Prospectus in Political Science (1.0) | |
Paper 2 options list
GV481 Quantitative Analysis for Political Science (0.5) | |
GV4G1 Applied Quantitative Methods for Public Policy and Political Science (0.5) # (not available 2024/25) | |
GV4N1 Qualitative Analysis for Political Science (0.5) | |
GV504 Research Methods in Political Theory (1.0) | |
GV513 Qualitative Methods in the Study of Politics (0.5) (not available 2024/25) | |
MY551A Introduction to Quantitative Analysis (0.5) | |
MY551W Introduction to Quantitative Analysis (0.5) | |
MY557 Causal Inference for Observational and Experimental Studies (0.5) # | |
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
Years 1, 2, 3, 4 | ||
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A) |
Research and write a dissertation | |
B) |
Participate in at least one Doctoral Workshop in the Government Department or elsewhere in the School in each year. For example: | |
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GV501 Doctoral Workshop: Political Theory (0.0) | |
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GV503 Political Philosophy Research Seminar (0.0) | |
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GV514 Political Science and Political Economy Doctoral Workshop (0.0) | |
C) |
Second year students have the option of taking the following course. Permission to attend is at the discretion of the course convenor: | |
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EC540 Political Economy for Research Students (1.0) # (withdrawn 2024/25) | |
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:
- a monograph; OR
- 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.