MPhil/PhD in Social Research Methods
Programme Code: RPMI
Department: Methodology
For students starting this programme of study in 2024/25
Guidelines for interpreting programme regulations
Paper |
Course number, title (unit value) | |
Year 1 | ||
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Training courses |
Optional (examined): The supervisors may require that a student be formally assessed for some such courses, and that the results of these assessments be included as part of the conditions for progression to the second year. Any such conditions will be communicated to the student in writing early in the Michaelmas term of Year 1. | |
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Courses that are not formally required for progression can be either assessed (taken for credit) or audited. Students should agree with their supervisors which courses they will take for credit and which courses they will audit. | |
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Optional (not examined): | |
|
Courses that are not formally required for progression can be either assessed (taken for credit) or audited. Students should agree with their supervisors which courses they will take for credit and which courses they will audit. | |
Year 2 | ||
Training Courses |
Optional (not examined): | |
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Students are encouraged to audit or take for credit further courses which are useful to them, with the agreement of their supervisors. | |
Year 3 | ||
Training courses |
Optional (not examined): | |
|
Students are encouraged to audit or take for credit further courses which are useful to them, with the agreement of their supervisors. | |
Year 4 | ||
Training courses |
Optional (not examined): | |
|
Students are encouraged to audit or take for credit further courses which are useful to them, with the agreement of their supervisors. | |
Progression and upgrade requirements
The major milestones and targets for progress during the programme are the following:
- Year 1: First-year progress review and presentation at the PhD day
- Year 2: Upgrade from MPhil to PhD status
- Year 3: Third-year progress review
- Year 4: Completion and submission of the PhD thesis
In the Summer Term of their first year of registration (full-time equivalent), students will submit a 10,000-word first-year review document that outlines the aims, methods and theoretical motivation of their thesis, and provides a plan for the programme of work leading to the final thesis. In essence, this document is the extended, in-depth research proposal for the PhD research, in a form which takes into account the student’s work in the first year. Students will also give an oral presentation of this document at the PhD Day. The written review document and oral presentation will be assessed by a review panel of two academics who are not on the supervisory team. This work has to reach an acceptable standard to enable the student to progress to the second year.
In the Summer Term of their second year, students will submit a document for consideration for upgrade from the MPhil to the PhD programme. This document should consist of a minimum of three draft chapters of the thesis, plus a detailed plan and timetable for the completion of the remainder of the PhD and a short introduction which links together the other parts of the document. The upgrade materials will be evaluated by an upgrade panel which will consist of two academics, not necessarily from the Department of Methodology. The panel will conduct an oral examination where the student will have an opportunity to defend the upgrade materials. The panel will then recommend transfer to PhD registration if in their judgement the student’s progress and plans for the remaining work are of a sufficient quality and quantity that the work can reasonably be expected to lead, by the end of the student’s fourth year of registration, to a thesis which will meet the requirements of a PhD thesis as stated in the LSE Regulations.
In the Summer Term of their third year of registration, students will submit a progress report. The focus of the third-year progress review is whether the student is making timely progress towards the goal of finishing the work and submitting the PhD thesis within the normal maximum of four years of registration. The report will be assessed by a review panel who will also conduct an interview with the student.
Throughout their MPhil/PhD studies, students will attend the Department’s research seminar and other specialist workshops and seminars related to their interests. Each student must give a presentation of their work at every Department of Methodology PhD day.
Teaching opportunities
The Department strongly encourages MPhil/PhD students to engage in teaching and offers a number of opportunities as Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) on its methodology courses. A Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education is offered to those who wish to pursue it.
Department of Methodology local rules for the composition of PhD theses
(to be read in conjunction with the Regulations for Research Degrees)
A PhD thesis may take the form either of a monograph, or a paper-based format. The decision on the appropriate format is approved by the supervisory team.
Paper based theses will:
- Consist of a minimum of 3 publishable empirical papers (normally 6,000-10,000 words), of which at least one is single-authored. Other papers may be co-authored.
- Include linking materials which integrate the contribution as a whole, normally including an Introduction (2,000-4,000 words), Literature Review (8,000-10,000 words) and Conclusion (2,000-4,000 words). Linking materials must be single authored.
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 for future students.