We welcome research students from other universities to spend from one term up to one academic year at LSE as a Visiting Research Student (VRS).

The VRS scheme allows students who are registered as doctoral researcher at other institutions to participate in research activities in the Department and the School, to interact with other research students, and to benefit from the expertise of LSE faculty, the training offered by the PhD Academy, and LSE Library facilities. Note that Visiting Research Students do not have access to any LSE taught courses. 

We welcome applications that complement the academic interests of faculty members in the Department and we recommend that you investigate their research interests before applying. Once you have found an academic whose research interests are relevant to your own you should contact them directly, outlining your proposed area of research, to see if they will agree, in principle, to act as an advisor during your time at LSE.

As a VRS, you will not be able to take accredited or examined courses or be fully supervised in the same way as an LSE doctoral student. You will be able to participate in doctoral workshops and research seminars, interact with other doctoral students, and discuss your research with your nominated advisor. You are expected to be self-funded. 

Because of its emphasis on independent research, the VSR scheme is better suited to students who are at an advanced stage in their doctoral training and research.

Teaching and learning in 2021 

LSE is committed to offering you the best possible teaching and learning experience within the constraints of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

Our expectation for the 2021-22 academic year is that all LSE students will be in London and studying on campus, where we will provide flexible teaching and learning which blends both in-person and online elements. This flexible approach has been informed by our student and academic community and builds upon the innovations and improvements we have put in place over the past year. If, due to events outside of our reasonable control, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, we have to make any changes to the delivery of the programme in the 2021/22 academic year, we will provide as much notice as is reasonably practicable by updating this page and sending an email to all offer holders/students. 

For more information about LSE's teaching plans for 2021 and our Coronavirus FAQs for prospective students please visit our website.